The Sea Eagles' finals hopes appear to be dashed after four losses on the trot in which they have managed a total of just 32 points and spiralled from seventh on the ladder to 10th.
With games against the Dolphins, Dragons and Warriors to come, Anthony Seibold's men can still get to 30 competition points but their rivals for eighth spot are playing with more momentum and more confidence at the business end of the season.
The Dolphins showed plenty of positive signs in their loss to the Broncos and still have two competition points to spare over Manly as well as a vastly superior points differential.
Whereas Manly's attack has deserted them in the past month the Dolphins have averaged 26ppg in their past four matches and came up with some sizzling tries in an attacking shootout against Brisbane.
Match: Sea Eagles v Dolphins
Round 25 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
10th Position
away Team
Dolphins
9th Position
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Sydney
Team News
Sea Eagles: Centre Reuben Garrick is nursing a shoulder injury so Tommy Talau joins the starting side and Aaron Schoupp has been added to the bench. Jake Trbojevic remains sidelined after suffering a concussion in Round 23 and may well be rested for the remainder of the season. Michael Chee Kam is the new 18th man.
Dolphins: Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo return from suspension to bolster the pack so Mark Nicholls reverts to the bench and Aublix Tawha drops to the reserves. Centre Max Feagai's return from a shoulder injury sees Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow go back to fullback and Trai Fuller slide to the bench. Ray Stone is 18th man.
Match: Sea Eagles v Dolphins
Round 25 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Sea Eagles is number 1 Tom TrbojevicFullback for Dolphins is number 14 Trai Fuller
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 2 Jason SaabWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
-
Centre for Sea Eagles is number 3 Tolutau KoulaCentre for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
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Centre for Sea Eagles is number 4 Tommy TalauCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Max Feagai
-
Winger for Sea Eagles is number 5 Lehi HopoateWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Tevita Naufahu
-
Five-Eighth for Sea Eagles is number 6 Luke BrooksFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
-
Halfback for Sea Eagles is number 7 Daly Cherry-EvansHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 8 Matthew LodgeProp for Dolphins is number 8 Francis Molo
-
Hooker for Sea Eagles is number 9 Jake SimpkinHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
-
Prop for Sea Eagles is number 10 Siosiua TaukeiahoProp for Dolphins is number 10 Felise Kaufusi
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 11 Corey Waddell2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
-
2nd Row for Sea Eagles is number 12 Ben Trbojevic2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Oryn Keeley
-
Lock for Sea Eagles is number 13 Jazz TevagaLock for Dolphins is number 13 Kurt Donoghoe
Interchange
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 14 Aaron SchouppInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Connelly Lemuelu
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 15 Caleb NavaleInterchange for Dolphins is number 16 Mark Nicholls
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 16 Ethan BullemorInterchange for Dolphins is number 17 Josh Kerr
-
Interchange for Sea Eagles is number 17 Toafofoa SipleyInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Ray Stone
Reserves
-
Replacement for Sea Eagles is number 20 Joey WalshReplacement for Dolphins is number 19 Aublix Tawha
Match Officials
- Referee: Ashley Klein
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- 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.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the
