SATURDAY AUGUST 3rd 2025
Manly v Dolphins
4 Pines Park, Sydney, 3pm.
Sea Eagles’ Season Slipping Away as Injuries Bite and Momentum Fades
The Sea Eagles’ season has taken a brutal turn. Four straight losses have not only stripped them of momentum but also their place in the top eight, tumbling from seventh to 10th while managing a meagre 32 points across that stretch. What once looked like a promising finals charge now feels like a desperate scramble.
There is still a mathematical chance. Clashes against the Dolphins, Dragons, and Warriors could push Anthony Seibold’s men to the 30-point mark—but with rivals for the eighth spot flying high on belief and confidence, Manly are staring down a steep uphill climb at the business end of the season.
Injuries have added salt to the wound. Centre Reuben Garrick battles a shoulder complaint, opening the door for Tommy Talau to step into the starting side, while Aaron Schoupp finds a place on the bench. Skipper Jake Trbojevic, concussed back in Round 23, is likely to remain sidelined for the remainder of the campaign, leaving a gaping hole in leadership and grit. Michael Chee Kam takes over as the 18th man in a side reshuffled out of necessity rather than strategy.
For Manly, hope remains—but it hangs by the thinnest of threads.
Manly
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Tommy Talau 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Corey Waddell 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga Bench: 14. Aaron Schoupp 15. Caleb Navale 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Toafofoa Sipley Reserves: 18. Michael Chee Kam 19. Clayton Faulalo , 20. Joey Walsh 21. Simione Laiafi 22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
Dolphins Riding the Wave Despite Broncos Setback
The Dolphins may have fallen short against the Broncos, but the performance revealed plenty of positives. They remain two competition points clear of Manly and boast a vastly superior points differential, giving them a crucial buffer in the race for the top eight.
Where the Sea Eagles have lost their attacking spark, the Dolphins have found theirs. Averaging 26 points per game across their past four outings, Wayne Bennett’s men lit up the park with some dazzling tries in a high-octane shootout with Brisbane—a reminder that their brand of footy can trouble any defence in the league.
Reinforcements also arrive at the right time. Enforcers Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo return from suspension to stiffen the forward pack, with veteran Mark Nicholls sliding back to the bench and Aublix Tawha shifting to the reserves. Out wide, Max Feagai’s return from a shoulder injury pushes Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow back to his most dangerous position at fullback, while Trai Fuller makes way to the bench. Ray Stone takes over as the 18th man.
The Dolphins have their flaws, but with power returning up front and strike power in the backs, they remain a step ahead of Manly—and their finals hopes are alive and well.
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jake Averillo 4. Max Feagai, 5. Tevita Naufahu 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Francis Molo 9. Jeremy Marshall-King , 10. Felise Kaufusi 11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 12. Oryn Keeley 13. Kurt Donoghoe, Bench: 14. Trai Fuller 15. Connelly Lemuelu 16. Mark Nicholls 17. Josh Kerr, Reserves: 18. Ray Stone 19. Aublix Tawha 20. Peter Hola 21. LJ Nonu 22. John Fineanganofo.
Key Stats
The Sea Eagles have scored only six tries in their last four games.
The Dolphins have won only three from eight outside Queensland this season.
Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula is on an eight-game try scoring streak at 4 Pines Park.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored seven tries in his last five games.
Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans will become the fifth player to appear in 350 NRL games.
Officials
Referee: Ashley Klein ,Touch Judges, Jon Stone, Damian Brady, Bunker, Liam Kennedy.
Crunch Time: Dolphins and Sea Eagles Clash With Finals on the Line
Last week told two familiar stories. Manly burst out of the gates against the Tigers, only to fade as the game wore on, while the Dolphins stuck with the Broncos until halftime before being blown away in the second stanza. Both sides showed glimpses, but neither could sustain it.
For the Dolphins, the danger is real. Another slip could see them tumble out of finals contention for the second year running—a bitter pill for a team that promised so much. For the Sea Eagles, just two points adrift, the problem feels deeper: a side that once fought for everything now looks like it has stopped caring.
Still, the bookmakers see Manly as favourites on home soil. But momentum, belief, and desire all lean toward the Dolphins.
The call? Dolphins by 10.
Titans v Warriors
Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast,5.30pm.
Titans Fighting to Avoid the Spoon as Warriors Loom in Round 25
The spectre of a third wooden spoon in club history hangs heavy over the Gold Coast. After last week’s 54-22 capitulation to the Sharks—the fifth time this year they’ve conceded 40 or more—the Titans are desperate to find some steel in defence before the season slips into outright embarrassment.
If there is hope, it lies at home. Cbus Super Stadium has sparked some of the Titans’ better showings in 2025, and Des Hasler’s men will again be counting on their loyal fans to lift them. Their opponents, the Warriors, remain as unpredictable as ever—capable of brilliance one week and mediocrity the next. They should win this one, but with the Warriors, certainty is a luxury no one can afford.
Hasler has shuffled the deck again. Centres Brian Kelly (concussion) and Jojo Fifita (ankle) make timely returns, shifting Beau Fermor back to the second row and Phil Sami out to the wing. Josh Patston moves to the bench, while Reagan Campbell-Gillard starts at prop in place of the injured Jaimin Jolliffe, whose season has been ended by a knee injury. Star forward David Fifita is also gone for the year after ankle surgery, but Klese Haas reclaims a spot on the bench after missing last week for personal reasons.
For the Titans, Round 25 is about pride as much as points. And with the wooden spoon looming, pride might be all they have left to play for.
Titans
1. AJ Brimson 2. Jaylan De Groot 3. Brian Kelly 4. Jojo Fifita 5. Phillip Sami, 6. Kieran Foran 7. Jayden Campbell 8. Moeaki Fotuaika 9. Sam Verrills, 10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard 11. Chris Randall 12. Beau Fermor , 13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui Bench: 14. Keano Kini 15. Klese Haas 16. Iszac Fa’asumaleaui, 17. Josh Patston Reserves: 18. Jacob Alick-Wiencke 19. Tukimihia Simpkins 20. Sean Mullany 21. Tom Weaver 22. Tony Francis.
Warriors Hold Fourth but Can’t Afford to Slip Against Titans
The Warriors did just enough to edge past the Dragons last week and cling onto fourth spot, but the pressure is mounting fast. With the Panthers, Broncos, and Sharks closing in, every game now feels like a battle for survival in the top four.
It was only a month ago that these two sides met in Auckland, and the memory will sting for Andrew Webster’s men. On that night, the Titans shocked the Warriors with a stunning upset—Phil Sami running riot with a try double and 256 metres, while Moeaki Fotuaika smashed through the middle with 14 barnstorming carries for 162 metres.
This time, the Warriors come armed with reinforcements. Kurt Capewell and Te Maire Martin return from concussion protocols, while Rocco Berry shakes off a shoulder injury. Berry’s comeback pushes Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad back to his preferred role at fullback, with Taine Tuaupiki shifting to 18th man. Capewell slots straight into the pack, sending Leka Halasima to the bench, while Demitric Vaimauga earns a start at prop with Jackson Ford suspended until the finals.
The Warriors have the class, but memories of that shock loss will ensure they take nothing for granted. Against a Titans side with nothing to lose, the margin for error is razor-thin.
Warriors
1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Adam Pompey, 4. Rocco Berry 5. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 6. Chanel Harris-Tavita 7. Tanah Boyd, 8. James Fisher-Harris 9. Wayde Egan 10. Demitric Vaimauga 11. Kurt Capewell, 12. Marata Niukore 13. Erin Clark Bench: 14. Te Maire Martin 15. Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, 16. Tanner Stowers-Smith 17. Leka Halasima Reserves: 18. Taine Tuaupiki 20. Samuel Healey 21. Bunty Afoa 22. Kalani Going 23. Edward Kosi.
Key Stats
The Titans have won six of their last seven games against the Warriors.
The Warriors have won only one of their last five games at Cbus Super Stadium.
Titans halfback Jayden Campbell has scored five tries in six games against the Warriors.
The Warriors have won six of their last eight games in Australia.
Titans centre Philip Sami has scored five tries in his last three games.
Officials
Referee: Jarrod Cole, Touch Judges, Michael Wise, Tyson Brough, Bunker, Grant Atkins.
Titans Eye Upset as Warriors Fight to Prove Themselves
On paper, this one has the feel of a reserve-grade scrap, but there’s far more at stake than the scoreboard suggests.
The Titans showed real bite against the Sharks last week, matching them stride for stride before fading in the second half. It was another glimpse of potential from Des Hasler’s side—moments of fight buried under the weight of inconsistency.
The Warriors, meanwhile, were better against the Dragons but hardly convincing. Fortune played its part in their narrow win, and questions linger about whether they truly belong among the contenders. Lose this one, and they may as well extend their stay on the Gold Coast for an early end-of-season trip.
Warriors by 4.
Eels v Roosters
CommBank Stadium,Sydney,7.45pm.
Moses the Maestro: Eels Look to Their General for an Upset
For Parramatta, the road to an upset runs straight through the boot of Mitch Moses. The gun halfback holds the key to the Eels’ chances—if he can find his rhythm with the long kicking game and deliver pinpoint ball to Zac Lomax inside the red zone, Parra have every chance of shaking things up.
Isaiah Iongi’s return strengthens the backline, with the young speedster named in his preferred fullback role after making a late comeback last week from a hand injury. In the halves, Joash Papalii takes his place at five-eighth, adding spark and variety alongside Moses.
The forward pack isn’t without disruption. Luca Moretti’s season-ending calf injury forces a reshuffle, with Dylan Walker shifting to lock and Jordan Samrani earning a spot on the bench.
The challenge is steep, but with Moses calling the shots and fresh energy injected into the side, the Eels might just have the tools to rattle their more fancied opponents.
Eels
1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Zac Lomax 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Dylan Brown 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Joash Papali’i 7. Mitchell Moses 8. J’maine Hopgood 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 11. Kelma Tuilagi 12. Jack Williams 13. Dylan Walker Bench: 14. Tallyn Da Silva, 15. Charlie Guymer 16. Matt Doorey 17. Jordan Samrani Reserves: 18. Dean Hawkins , 19. Haze Dunster 20. Dan Keir 21. Toni Mataele 22. Joey Lussick.
Red-Hot Roosters Surge Back Into Finals Frame
Since their narrow Round 21 defeat to Melbourne, the Roosters have been nothing short of electric. Racking up 116 points across commanding wins over the Sea Eagles, Dolphins, and Bulldogs, they’ve reignited their season and breathed fresh life into their pursuit of a ninth consecutive finals appearance.
At the heart of the resurgence are James Tedesco and Sam Walker, a duo in sizzling form and driving everything good about the Tricolours’ attack. What looked unlikely when they sat in 10th spot just a few weeks ago has quickly transformed into a golden opportunity.
Still, the challenge doesn’t ease. The Eels remain an unpredictable beast—capable of brilliance when their attack clicks, and just as capable of dismantling any defensive line in the competition. If the Roosters are to extend their hot streak, they’ll need to be on guard.
There’s fresh movement in the lineup. Junior Tupou makes his Roosters debut on the wing, replacing veteran Daniel Tupou, who is sidelined with concussion symptoms. In the pack, Siua Wong returns from his own concussion, shifting Naufahu Whyte to prop and Spencer Leniu back to the bench, with Blake Steep making way.
Momentum is theirs, belief is building, and the Roosters now stand just a few wins away from turning a once-faltering campaign into a September surge.
Roosters
1. James Tedesco 2. Junior Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Hugo Savala 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Connor Watson , 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley, Bench: 14. Benaiah Ioelu 15. Salesi Foketi 16. Egan Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu, Reserves: 18. Ethan King 19. Blake Steep 20. Taylor Losalu 21. Sandon Smith 22. Tom Rodwell.
Key Stats
The Eels have won only one from 10 against top-eight opposition this season.
The Roosters have won six of their last seven games against the Eels.
Eels winger Zac Lomax has scored seven tries in his last seven games.
Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 10 tries in his last six games.
Eels forward Dylan Walker will make his 250th NRL appearance.
Officials
Referee: Wyatt Raymond, Touch Judges, Daniel Luttringer, Chris Sutton, Bunker, Adam Gee.
Eels Face Stern Test as Roosters Keep Rolling
It was another tough outing for Parramatta last week, brushed aside by the Rabbitohs in a performance that left plenty of questions unanswered. The Roosters, meanwhile, looked sharper than ever, dismantling the Bulldogs and continuing their late-season surge.
Back at home, the Eels will be desperate to respond, eager to show their fans that there’s still fight left in their season. But on current form, the task looks daunting. If the Roosters bring the same polish and confidence they’ve displayed in recent weeks, the gulf in class could quickly become clear.
The tip? Roosters by 10.
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