NRL ROUND 17: MANLY SEA EAGLES v WEST TIGERS | NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS v CANBERRA RAIDERS

FRIDAY, JUNE 27th, 2025.

Manly v Tigers

4 Pines Park Manly Sydney 6pm.

Sea Eagles Reshuffle the Deck as Finals Push Hangs in the Balance

Fresh off a much-needed bye, the Manly Sea Eagles return to the fray knowing that time is running out to stitch together a consistent run. Their form over the past seven weeks has been a rollercoaster—win, loss, win, loss—culminating in back-to-back defeats that have left their finals hopes teetering.

Once a stronghold, 4 Pines Park has recently become a battleground of uncertainty. After kicking off 2025 with three straight home wins over the Cowboys, Raiders, and Eels, the Sea Eagles have since dropped three of their past four at Brookvale. If they want to stay in the top-eight race, turning the northern beaches back into a fortress is non-negotiable.

Coach Anthony Seibold has rolled the dice with a bold backline reshuffle. Superstar Tom Trbojevic shifts into the centres, handing fullback duties to the exciting Lehi Hopoate in a move aimed at injecting spark and balance. Reuben Garrick slides back to the wing, while Jason Saab drops out of the 17.

In the forwards, the loss of strike weapon Haumole Olakau’atu to a shoulder injury sees Corey Waddell promoted to the starting pack, while veteran Matt Lodge brings muscle and experience back into the rotation. The dummy-half role also sees a shake-up: Jazz Tevaga will start at hooker, with Jake Simpkin named on the bench after Lachlan Croker was ruled out under concussion protocols following a training mishap on Tuesday.

The Sea Eagles know they’re running out of second chances. With a reshuffled spine, home ground pressure mounting, and the finals race heating up, Sunday’s clash shapes as a defining moment in their 2025 campaign.

Manly

1. Lehi Hopoate 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tom Trbojevic.  5. Reuben Garrick 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge . 9. Jazz Tevaga 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic.  13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Ethan Bullemor 16. Nathan Brown . 17. Toafofoa Sipley 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Jason Saab 20. Clayton Faulalo.  21. Joey Walsh 22. Caleb Navale

Out: Lachlan Croker (hooker), Haumole Olakau’atu (second row), Jason Saab (wing to reserve)
In: Lehi Hopoate (fullback), Matt Lodge (front row), Jake Simpkin (bench)
Changes: Tom Trbojevic (fullback to centre), Reuben Garrick (centre to wing), Ethan Bullemor (front row to bench), Jazz Tevaga (bench to hooker), Corey Waddell (bench to second row)

Tigers Keep Fighting, But the Results Still Won’t Come

It was another case of heartbreak for the Wests Tigers last week—a script that’s become all too familiar in 2025. Despite throwing everything they had at the Raiders, Benji Marshall’s side came up just short once again, falling 16-12 in a gritty contest that slipped away in the dying stages.

That narrow loss marked the Tigers’ fifth defeat on the trot, with the last three heartbreakers all decided by four points or less. Effort hasn’t been the issue—commitment and heart have been on full display—but the finishing touch continues to elude them when it matters most.

Now sitting 14th on the ladder and watching the gap widen between themselves and the finals contenders, the Tigers find themselves on a knife’s edge. Marshall has kept the belief burning among his young squad, but belief alone won’t stop the slide. They’ll need to turn close calls into competition points—and fast—if they want to salvage their season.

Tigers

1. Heath Mason 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Adam Doueihi 4. Starford To’a . 5. Jeral Skelton 6. Jarome Luai 7. Latu Fainu 8. Terrell May 9. Apisai Koroisau.  10. Fonua Pole 11. Samuela Fainu 12. Jack Bird 13. Alex Twal 14. Tallyn Da Silva.  15. Alex Seyfarth 16. Sione Fainu 17. Tony Sukkar 18. Luke Laulilii 19. Charlie Murray . 20. Kit Laulilii 21. Charlie Staines 22. Tristan Hope

Out: Jahream Bula (fullback)
In: Tallyn Da Silva (bench), Tanous Sukkar (bench)
Changes: Heath Mason (five-eighth to fullback), Jarome Luai (halfback to five-eighth), Sione Fainu (front row to bench), Alex Seyfarth (second row to bench), Fonua Pole (bench to front row), Latu Fainu (bench to halfback), Jack Bird (bench to second row)

Key Stats

The Sea Eagles have won six of their past seven games against Wests Tigers.

Wests Tigers have not won at 4 Pines Park since 2020.

Sea Eagles halfback Daly Cherry-Evans has scored seven tries in his last six games against Wests Tigers.

Wests Tigers hooker Api Koroisau is on a four game tryscoring streak against the Sea Eagles.

Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored seven tries in his last five games at 4 Pines Park.

Inconsistency Reigns as Sea Eagles and Tigers Face Off in Tricky Clash

Fresh off a much-needed bye, the Sea Eagles return to action still stinging from their lacklustre showing against the Titans a fortnight ago—a performance that once again highlighted Manly’s biggest issue this season: inconsistency.

The Tigers, meanwhile, showed real fight in the second half of their clash with the Raiders, mounting a spirited comeback that fell just short. It was another near-miss for Benji Marshall’s men, who have made a habit of competing hard but coming away empty-handed.

On paper, if both teams fire, Manly should have too much firepower—especially at 4 Pines Park. But that’s been the story all year: the Sea Eagles at their best are a finals-calibre team… it’s just that you never quite know which version will show up.

The Tigers are equally unpredictable—capable of flashes of brilliance one week and frustrating lapses the next. It’s a clash that has tipsters scratching their heads, but with the home crowd behind them, Manly might just have the edge—if they turn up.

Referees, Gerard Sutton, Touch Judges, Chris Sutton, Phil Henderson, Bunker ?

Game Two, Knights v Raiders, McDonald Jones Stadium. Newcastle,8pm.

Knights Eye Momentum Surge as Raiders Come to Town

After a rocky mid-season stretch, the Newcastle Knights have breathed new life into their 2025 campaign with two heart-stopping victories in their past three outings—reigniting hopes of a third consecutive finals appearance. And with three blockbuster home games on the horizon—against the Raiders, Storm, and Warriors—the stage is set for Kalyn Ponga and his troops to turn potential into genuine belief.

This weekend’s clash with Canberra is more than just a chance to add two competition points—it’s a litmus test. The high-flying Raiders have set the standard with their grit and balance this season, but a win here could send a clear message: the Knights are back in the hunt.

In a mix of good and bad news, experienced halfback Jackson Hastings returns to steer the ship after Fletcher Sharpe was ruled out indefinitely with a ruptured spleen and lacerated kidney in a brutal setback. Up front, Jacob Saifiti makes his long-awaited return from a calf injury, bolstering the middle rotation and shifting Mat Croker back to the bench.

Meanwhile, Greg Marzhew (arm) and Jack Hetherington (shoulder) have been named among the reserves and could yet be late inclusions as they push for returns from injury.

The opportunity is there. The crowd will be loud. And the Knights, battle-tested and reinvigorated, have every reason to believe that the best of their season is still to come.

Knights

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best.  5. James Schiller 6. Jackson Hastings 7. Jack Cogger 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Jayden Brailey . 10. Tyson Frizell 11. Dylan Lucas 12. Kai Pearce-Paul 13. Phoenix Crossland.  14. Brodie Jones 15. Thomas Cant 16. Jermaine McEwen 17. Mathew Croker . 18. Elijah Leaumoana 19. Tyson Gamble 20. Fletcher Hunt 21. Greg Marzhew . 22. Jack Hetherington

Out: Fletcher Sharpe (five-eighth), Elijah Salesa Leaumoana (bench to reserve)
In: Jackson Hastings (five-eighth), Jacob Saifiti (front row)
Changes: Mat Croker (front row to bench)

Raiders Chase Rare Minor Premiership as Momentum Builds

Looming large over Newcastle’s resurgence is a Canberra Raiders side that’s not just winning—but peaking at exactly the right time. Sitting comfortably in second place and with two byes still in hand, the Green Machine are perfectly positioned to launch a serious tilt at their first minor premiership since 1990.

Their recent run has been nothing short of formidable—nine wins from their last ten matches, built on the kind of balance most clubs dream of: seasoned leaders setting the tone while young talent drives the energy. It’s a blend that’s turning belief into results, week after week.

This weekend, they’ll be without Origin star Hudson Young, who is being rested as he manages a nagging groin injury after a taxing stretch combining NRL and State of Origin duties. In his place, Simi Sasagi steps into the starting side, bringing fresh legs and versatility to the edge. Promising youngster Noah Martin joins the bench as the latest to be trusted with a role in Ricky Stuart’s well-oiled machine.

With a top-two finish already in sight and four more points all but guaranteed from upcoming byes, the Raiders know exactly what’s at stake. A statement win in Newcastle could keep them on track for a piece of history—and remind the competition that this Green Machine is rolling with serious intent.

Raiders

1. Kaeo Weekes 2. Jed Stuart 3. Matthew Timoko 4. Sebastian Kris . 5. Xavier Savage 6. Ethan Strange 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Josh Papali’i 9. Tom Starling.  10. Joseph Tapine 11. Simi Sasagi 12. Zac Hosking 13. Corey Horsburgh.  14. Owen Pattie 15. Noah Martin 16. Morgan Smithies 17. Ata Mariota . 18. Trey Mooney 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Chevy Stewart 21. Danny Levi 22. Ethan Sanders

Out: Hudson Young (second row)
In: Noah Martin (bench)
Changes: Simi Sasagi (bench to second row)

Key Stats

The Knights have won four of their past five games against the Raiders.

The Raiders have won their past six games away from home.

The Knights have lost five of their past six games at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Raiders second-rower Hudson Young has scored five tries in his past seven games against the Knights.

Knights utility Phoenix Crossland will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Knights Look to Build Momentum, but Raiders Loom as Ruthless Test

The Newcastle Knights produced one of their most complete performances of the season last week, outplaying the Dolphins in a display full of grit, energy, and long-overdue execution. It was a win that offered a flicker of hope in what has been an otherwise frustrating 2025 campaign.

But was it a genuine turning point for Adam O’Brien’s men—or just a case of the Dolphins having an off day?

That answer may come swiftly this weekend as the Knights welcome a battle-hardened Raiders outfit to McDonald Jones Stadium. While Canberra weren’t at their clinical best against the Tigers, a dominant first-half display was more than enough to get the job done—and they’ll be eyeing a sharper, more complete performance this time around.

The Knights are always a tougher proposition at home, and with confidence finally starting to bubble, they’ll believe they can push the second-placed Raiders. But Ricky Stuart’s side knows what’s at stake, and with a possible minor premiership within reach, expect them to shift gears and rise to the occasion.

Newcastle may be finding their rhythm—but Canberra is chasing history.

Referees, Peter Gough, Touch Judges, Drew Oultram, Jon Stone, Bunker, Chris Butler.