Manly Sea Eagles 2025 season preview
2024 recap
Manly made some good progress in 2024, as they secured a top eight finish for the first time since 2021.
The Sea Eagles kicked off the year with a win over the Rabbitohs in Vegas, and they made it into week two of the finals, before losing 40-16 to the Roosters, but the season offered plenty of reasons to be optimistic for 2025.
2024 position: 7th (Lost 40-16 to Sydney Roosters in week two of finals)
Key signings
Siosiua Taukeiaho (Catalans Dragons), Jazz Tevaga (New Zealand Warriors)
Key departures
Jamie Humphreys (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Karl Lawton (North Queensland Cowboys), Brad Parker (Retired), Jaxson Paulo (North Queensland Cowboys), Aaron Woods (Retired)
Players to watch
Tolutau Koula had a strong 2024 campaign, which sadly ended on a sour note. The 22 year-old centre was knocked out taking the first carry of the game against the Roosters, having scored the match-winning try the previous week. The Tonga international will be raring to go again in 2025 though, and aiming to add to his impressive tally of 21 tries in 60 first grade games.
Tom Trbojevic is an obvious pick, but the fact is, when he’s fit, Manly are a different outfit altogether. After two years of serious injury disruption, in which he only managed 18 games, Turbo was fit and firing again in 2024, playing 20 times and crossing for 17 tries. Another campaign avoiding serious injury will go a long way to securing Manly a top eight spot again.
Young gun
Clayton Faulalo has been named in Manly’s top 30 squad for the first time this year, and the versatile young back will be looking to build on an impressive couple of seasons in NSW Cup. After scoring 29 tries in just 24 games in 2023, he made his first grade debut last season, and managed two tries in three games, so expect to see more of him in 2025.
Our prediction – 5th
I can see Manly kicking on again this season, with a top eight finish the bare minimum expected. Much will depend on whether they can keep Tom Trbojevic fit. If not, they might struggle to make the eight, but if he can match his 20 games from last year, then a finals place looks very likely.
