FRIDAY, MAY 23rd, 2025 COMMBANK STADIUM,SYDNEY 4.05pm
Next Man Up: Eels and Sea Eagles Brace for Origin-Disrupted Showdown
As State of Origin fever grips the nation, two clubs find themselves facing a different kind of test in Round 12: a battle of depth, adaptability, and resilience.
Fresh off convincing wins, both the Parramatta Eels and Manly Sea Eagles now prepare to take the field without their on-field generals—Mitchell Moses and Daly Cherry-Evans—each called away for Origin I duties. Their absence doesn’t just strip both sides of their captains, but also the heartbeat of their respective attacking structures.
Since returning from injury in Round 7, Moses has been central to Parramatta’s resurgence, orchestrating plays and guiding the side with his trademark vision and control. Manly, meanwhile, has built much of its momentum on the boot and leadership of Queensland’s Daly Cherry-Evans, whose calm game management has been vital in steering the Sea Eagles through tight contests.
Adding to the Eels’ disruption is the loss of Zac Lomax, whose strong form has earned him a deserved recall to the New South Wales squad. It’s a triple blow for Parramatta, but also a chance for fresh faces to step into the spotlight.
Enter Dean Hawkins. The former Rabbitoh has been handed his fifth NRL appearance of the year, slotting into the halfback role in Moses’ absence. Sean Russell shifts out to the wing while Jordan Samrani steps up to start in the centres. In the forwards, the return of Kelma Tuilagi from suspension pushes Luca Moretti to the bench, while Matt Doorey reclaims a spot in the 17 after a brief stint in the NSW Cup.
Manly, too, will need to tweak their formula—but they’ll come in high on confidence after running rings around the Cowboys last weekend. Their wide attack looked razor-sharp, and they’ll look to replicate that speed-first approach again, this time without the guidance of DCE.
With stars away on rep duty, this clash becomes more than just a Round 12 fixture. It’s a chance to see which club can absorb the pressure, trust its systems, and lean on its unsung heroes. Sometimes, Origin season doesn’t just reveal who the best players are—it reveals who the best teams are.
Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 17. Matt Doorey 18. Joash Papali’i 19. Joey Lussick 20. Toni Mataele 21. Ronald Volkman 22. Samuel Loizou
Unavailable due to State of Origin I – Zac Lomax, Mitchell Moses (NSW)
Out: Zac Lomax (wing), Mitchell Moses (halfback)
In: Dean Hawkins (halfback), Kelma Tuilagi (second row), Matt Doorey (bench)
Changes: Sean Russell (centre to wing), Luca Moretti (second row to bench), Jordan Samrani (bench to centre), Toni Mataele (bench to reserve)
New Faces, Familiar Fight: Sea Eagles Turn to Youth and Grit in DCE’s Absence
With State of Origin reshaping line-ups across the league, the Manly Sea Eagles find themselves leaning on a new generation of playmakers and seasoned battlers as they prepare for a pivotal Round 12 clash.
In the absence of their spiritual leader and Queensland Maroons captain Daly Cherry-Evans, the keys to the Sea Eagles’ attack now belong to 21-year-old Jake Arthur. The young half will be tasked with guiding the side around the park, a challenge that arrives just as Manly begins to build midseason momentum.
But Arthur won’t be doing it alone.
Jazz Tevaga, known for his tenacity in the middle third, shifts into the lock role to cover for Jake Trbojevic, who remains sidelined following a concussion setback. It’s a move that adds spark and aggression to the Sea Eagles’ engine room.
At dummy-half, Jake Simpkin earns a starting berth after a strong showing off the bench last week. The dynamic rake will look to inject early energy and provide clean service for Arthur and the rest of the spine.
Adding experience to the forward pack, veteran prop Matt Lodge has been named on the interchange bench, marking his first NRL appearance since the Sea Eagles’ semi-final defeat in 2024. His return brings much-needed muscle and know-how to a bench suddenly rich in options.
In a boost for the back row, Haumole Olakau’atu—despite being named in the New South Wales Blues squad—will be released to play, bringing his trademark power and offloading ability to the edge. It’s a rare mid-Origin blessing for Manly, and one they’ll be grateful to take.
Meanwhile, Lachlan Croker makes his return from a knee injury via the bench, offering versatility and composure at a time when Manly’s playmaking stocks are stretched.
Leading this patched-together but promising side is Tom Trbojevic. The superstar fullback will captain the Sea Eagles in the absence of his brother Jake and DCE, bringing not only his brilliance in attack but a steady hand and deep connection to the club.
In a week shaped by rep absences and forced reshuffles, this match may just reveal the depth of Manly’s character. For every missing star, a new opportunity emerges. And under Turbo Tom’s leadership, the Sea Eagles are ready to rise to the occasion.
Manly
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Croker 15. Corey Waddell 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge 18. Clayton Faulalo 19. Brandon Wakeham 20. Tommy Talau 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale
Unavailable due to State of Origin I – Daly Cherry-Evans (QLD); Haumole Olakau’atu (NSW – reserve)
Out: Daly Cherry-Evans (halfback), Jake Trbojevic (lock)In: Jakob Arthur (halfback), Lachlan Croker (bench), Matt Lodge (bench)
Changes: Jazz Tevaga (hooker to lock), Jake Simpkin (bench to hooker), Caleb Navale (bench to reserve)
Referees: Liam Kennedy. Touch Judges, Phil Henderson, Jarrod Cole, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
Key Stats
The Eels have won five of their six games against the Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium.
Sea Eagles centre Reuben Garrick has scored 13 tries in 13 games against the Eels.
Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored seven tries in his last seven games at CommBank Stadium.
Sea Eagles winger Jason Saab has scored four tries in his last four games at CommBank Stadium.
Eels prop Junior Paulo will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Sea Eagles Eye Back-to-Back Wins as Eels Navigate Origin Storm
As Origin season sweeps through the NRL, it leaves behind a trail of reshuffled lineups and new leaders rising to the fore. For Round 12, the Sea Eagles and the Eels find themselves caught in that very current—but only one looks better equipped to ride it out.
Parramatta cruised past a struggling Knights outfit last week, bouncing back into the winner’s circle after weeks of inconsistency. But that momentum faces a serious test now, with key men Mitchell Moses and Zac Lomax both called into New South Wales Blues camp. Their absence strips the Eels of direction and spark, leaving them to piece together a new-look backline under pressure.
The Sea Eagles, meanwhile, produced one of the upsets of the round, stunning North Queensland with a gritty, fast-paced performance. They did it with confidence—and with style.
Now, as they prepare to take on a weakened Parramatta side, Manly are missing their own general in Daly Cherry-Evans, off to lead Queensland once more. But crucially, they retain two of their most influential figures: Luke Brooks and Tom Trbojevic.
Brooks, who has found a new gear in maroon and white this season, will be handed full control of the game plan. And Trbojevic—wearing the captain’s armband—remains the x-factor, capable of turning a match on its head in a single play. Their presence provides the Sea Eagles with stability, experience, and attacking firepower.
Parramatta’s challenge lies in how quickly their reshuffled lineup can gel. With Dean Hawkins stepping into the halfback role and youngsters filling key positions, they’ll need to show resilience and discipline to stay in the contest.
But on paper—and on recent form—the Sea Eagles hold the advantage. They’ve weathered adversity, found their rhythm, and still boast the kind of class that wins matches when things get scrappy.
With the chaos of Origin swirling around them, Manly may just prove that calm heads and settled combinations still win the day.
Check out Saturday’s match here!
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