Manly Sea Eagles 2025 season review
Overview
The Sea Eagles were arguably the biggest disappointment for any side in 2025. After finishing 7th and beating the Bulldogs in a week one Finals thriller in 2024, hopes were high for this year, but a late-season collapse did for them.
In fairness, it wasn’t just their form towards the end of the year, but their general inconsistency which cost them. They never won more than three straight games in 2025, and that kind of form ultimately cost them as they finished outisde the top eight.
Highs
After their 18-16 win over the Storm at AAMI Park in Round 20, the Sea Eagles looked a shoo-in for a Finals spot, even if it proved a false dawn.
They put big scores on a few of the competition’s leading lights too, which proved they can mix it with anyone on their day. They scored 40 against Minor Premiers Canberra, 26 against defending Premiers Penrith and 34 against eventual Premiers Brisbane.
Lows
The fallout from the Daly Cherry-Evans saga hung over their year like a grey cloud. After his announcement that he’d be heading off at the end of the year, Manly lost four of their next five games to seriously derail their season.
They got back on track though, but after their 18-16 win in Melbourne in Round 20, they never got back into the top eight again, as they lost four straight games in a bizarre run of form.
There were plenty of injuries to contend with too, and while much was made of the Rabbitohs’ struggles, Manly’s went under the radar a little. It should be noted that forwards Josh Aloiai, Taniela Paseka, Lachlan Croker and Tof Sipley all played less than five games each, and Aloiai has since retired from the top grade.
2025 RLB Player of the Year – Tolu Koula
Koula was an absolute weapon for the Sea Eagles in 2025, scoring a career-best 17 tries, and generally proving to be a menace from anywhere. If he continues on the oath he’s on, he’ll be one of the first names on everyone’s lips when they’re discussing best NRL centres.
Reasons to be positive in 2026
On paper Manly underacheived in 2025, so with their roster, an improved 2026 should be on the cards. Jamal Fogarty is a great signing from the Raiders, and he’ll be a great replacement for DCE. Plenty of their players have time on their side when it comes to age too, and the likes of Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate went from strength to strength in 2025.
My 2025 prediction – 5th
Final 2025 position – 10th (-5)
I expected Manly to kick on in 2025, but their inconsistency cost them and my prediction was way off. They only finished two points outside the top eight, so they weren’t a million miles away, but big improvements will be expected next year.
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