Home Ground: 4 Pines Park, Brookvale

Coach: Anthony Seibold

TAB odds: Premiers $15

Don't expect any major changes for MANLY heading into 2025, with JAZZ TEVAGA their only notable signing. The SEA EAGLES seem to be a side that wins by 2, or loses by 2, and they will need to play with more determination throughout the 2025 season. Under Anthony Seibold's second tenure, Manly demonstrated significant progress, rising from twelfth place in the prior season to seventh in 2024. However, inconsistent performance hampered their efforts, preventing them from achieving a sustained winning streak and securing a coveted top-four position.

TOM TRBOJEVIC was vital to the Sea Eagles' success last season, persevering through several injuries to play in 20 games. Getting him through the season without serious injury will be paramount to their potential success. Speculation persists regarding a possible positional change to centre, with Seibold acknowledging that he would consider such an adjustment during the offseason if it benefited his key player's long-term prospects.

With his fifteenth season in the top grade approaching, Manly Sea Eagles captain DALY CHERRY-EVANS remarkable longevity will make him the last active NRL player born in the 1980s. As one of rugby league's most enduring figures, DCE was seven months old when Canberra triumphed over Balmain in the memorable 1989 grand final at the Sydney Football Stadium. If he were to earn his 26th cap for the Maroons on May 28th, he would become the oldest man to play State of Origin at 36 years and 96 days, surpassing fellow Queensland legend Petero Civoniceva. Cherry-Evans is determined to lead the club to its first premiership since their victory against the Warriors in 2011, but is this squad talented enough to go all the way?

With a spine of TURBO, LUKE BROOKS and DALY CHERRY-EVANS, they have one of the best in the competition and should aim for further progress in the standings in 2025. The TRBOJEVIC triple-threat will play a major role, with a strong forward pack and some very slick outside backs combining to form a formidable side. Young gun LEHI HOPOATE faces an uphill battle to earn a spot in the backline, but could feature at some point in the season. Serious contenders maybe, with that last final hurdle the big challenge in 2025. We think they make the eight and are good enough to play a preliminary final, but their forwards lack the required dexterity.

First five: Cowboys (H), Warriors (A), Raiders (H), Eels (H), Storm (H)

Last year's finish: 7th

Predicted 2025 finish: 2nd

PREDICTED STARTING SIDE

1. TOM TRBOJEVIC

2. JASON SAAB

3. REUBEN GARRICK

4. TOLU KOULA

5. TOMMY TALAU

6. LUKE BROOKS

7. DALY CHERRY-EVANS

8. TANIELA PASEKA

9. LACHLAN CROKER

10. JOSH ALOIAI

11. HAUMOLE OLAKAU'ATU

12. BEN TRBOJEVIC

13. JAKE TRBOJEVIC

14. JAZZ TEVAGA

15. NATHAN BROWN

16. TOAFOFOA SIPLEY

17. ETHAN BULLEMOR

PRE SEASON: Sat 15 Feb

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles at Industree Group Stadium 3:30pm

Fri 21 Feb

Sea Eagles v Panthers at Leichhardt Oval 6:00pm