2025 Preview: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

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Kelly Hollis looks ahead to Manly's 2025 NRL campaign.

Will They Finally Find Consistency?

The Manly Sea Eagles have always been a club capable of the spectacular, but in 2024, they proved just as capable of self-destruction. Now, with an experienced core and a roster that looks like it should challenge for a premiership, the biggest question remains: can they finally put it all together?

The Sea Eagles started 2024 in the best way possible with a win over the Rabbitohs in Las Vegas, followed by another victory over the Roosters. It was the kind of start that had fans daring to dream. But what followed was a season of peaks and valleys, of brilliance and baffling inconsistency. Manly managed to beat heavyweights like the Panthers and Storm but also found a way to lose to the Tigers — twice. That summed up their season: on their day, they could match it with the best, but too often, they failed to show up for the full 80 minutes.

Anthony Seibold's men finished the year in seventh place with 33 points (13 wins, 10 losses, and a draw), earning a finals berth but never truly looking like a title contender. The team's inability to string together consistent performances hurt them, with only one occasion where they won more than two games in a row (Rounds 18-20).

Seibold's frustration was evident, particularly after a humiliating loss to the Tigers, where he bluntly admitted, "We got what we deserved." An error-riddled performance encapsulated the Sea Eagles' biggest flaw — when they switched off, they became their own worst enemy.

Despite the rollercoaster of 2024, there were plenty of positives. Luke Brooks played every minute of the season, with a team-high 23 try assists and 22 line-break assists, though his defence remained a concern. Tom Trbojevic enjoyed his most durable season since 2018, playing 20 games and putting up elite numbers with 17 tries and 21 try assists despite battling injuries. Haumole Olakau'atu was immense, while Nathan Brown went from a train-and-trial contract to a key enforcer in the forward pack. Manly also locked in Taniela Paseka and Josh Aloiai with contract extensions, ensuring their forward pack remains stable.

Heading into 2025, the roster looks strong. Cherry-Evans, Trbojevic, Saab, Olakau'atu, and Jake Trbojevic form a core that should be competing for a title. But time is running out—DCE is off contract at the end of the year, and Manly needs to strike before this window closes. They have the talent. The challenge is making sure their best team turns up every week.

Why They'll Win It

Manly has the makings of a premiership-winning side — on paper, at least. They have one of the most experienced and well-balanced rosters in the competition, with a spine led by the ever-reliable Daly Cherry-Evans, a game-breaking fullback in Tom Trbojevic, and a creative five-eighth in Luke Brooks. Their backline possesses speed and finishing ability with Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick, while their forward pack boasts size, power, and mobility with Haumole Olakau'atu, Jake Trbojevic, and Taniela Paseka.

The 2025 season represents their best shot at a title in years. Cherry-Evans showed in 2024 that he still has plenty to offer, leading the team with 22 try assists and 27 line-break assists. If Turbo can stay on the field for a full season, he gives Manly an X-factor few teams can match. Olakau'atu is at the peak of his powers, and the pack has the balance to dominate the middle third of the field. If Manly can finally solve their consistency issues, they have the tools to be a genuine threat in 2025.

Why They Won't

Talent isn't Manly's problem — consistency is. If 2024 proved anything, it's that this team struggles to keep its focus for 80 minutes, let alone an entire season. The Sea Eagles lost games they had no business losing and often fell into the trap of playing down to weaker opposition. It's the kind of trait that premiership-winning teams don't have.

There are also key structural questions that remain unanswered. The departure of Karl Lawton leaves a hole on the left edge — an area that Seibold never quite settled on in 2024, with Ben Trbojevic, Lawton, and Corey Waddell all getting their turn. Defensively, Manly had issues, particularly with Brooks' missed tackles and their tendency to concede points in bunches. And then, of course, there's the biggest factor of all — Tom Trbojevic's health. If he goes down again, the Sea Eagles' premiership hopes could go with him.

2025 fixture list

Key Players

There's no getting around it — Manly's fate largely rests on Tom Trbojevic's shoulders. When fit, he is one of the most dynamic fullbacks in the game, capable of turning a match on its head with his speed, vision, and ball-playing. In 2024, he played 20 games, scoring 17 tries and setting up 21 more, but even then, he missed seven weeks with a hamstring injury and battled a shoulder issue late in the year. If he can stay healthy for 25+ rounds, Manly is a top-four side. If he doesn't, their attack takes a major hit.

Daly Cherry-Evans remains another crucial figure. At 36, this could be his final season, and his leadership, game management, and kicking game will be vital. He led the team in assists last year, and Manly needs him firing to compete at the top. Olakau'atu is another one to watch—after a career-best season, the big backrower has the potential to elevate himself into the game's elite tier.

The wrecking ball second-rower, Haumole Olakau'atu, had his best season in 2024 and was now in the conversation as one of the premier back-rowers in the competition. His ability to create second-phase play and bust through defensive lines gave Manly an x-factor that few teams could match.

Rookie to Watch

Manly has a few promising young players, but the one to watch in 2025 is Tolu Koula. The young gun has already impressed with his speed and footwork, but 2025 could be the year he cements himself as a genuine star. If he can improve his ball-playing and defensive reads, he could become a weapon for the Sea Eagles.

Player Movements

IN: Joey Walsh (rugby union), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Sio Siua Taukei'aho (Catalans), Michael Chee Kam (South Sydney)

TOP 30: Aaron Schoupp, Aitasi James, Ben Trbojevic, Clayton Faulalo, Corey Waddell, Daly Cherry-Evans, Dean Matterson, Ethan Bullemor, Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Haumole Olakau'atu, Jake Arthur, Jake Simpkin, Jake Trbojevic, Jason Saab, Jazz Tevaga, Joey Walsh, Josh Aloiai, Lachlan Croker, Luke Brooks, Michael Chee Kam, Nathan Brown, Raymond Vaega, Reuben Garrick, Sio Siua Taukei'aho, Taniela Paseka, Tom Trbojevic, Toafofoa Sipley, Tolutau Koula, Tommy Talau

OUT: Jaxson Paulo, Karl Lawton (North Qld), Jamie Humphreys (South Sydney), Bailey Hodgson (Leigh), Ben Condon (Capras), Brad Parker, Aaron Woods (retired)

DEVELOPMENT: Lehi Hopoate, D'Jazirhae Pua'avase, Simione Laiafi, Caleb Navale, Zaidas Muagututia

Predicted Best 17

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Reuben Garrick
4. Tolu Koula
5. Christian Tuipulotu
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans (c)
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Josh Aloiai
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
14. Nathan Brown
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Toafofoa Sipley
17. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

This is a squad with enough talent to challenge for a title. If Manly can stay healthy, fix their consistency issues, and deliver on their potential, they have the ability to be a top-four side in 2025. But that's a big 'if.'