The Manly Sea Eagles are set to face the Canberra Raiders amid a storm of injuries and a desperate need to regain form after a chaotic loss last week against the New Zealand Warriors. The Sea Eagles suffered a significant setback in Round 2 of the NRL season when they lost 36-16 to the Warriors, bringing them crashing back to reality after a triumphant opening round against the North Queensland Cowboys.
With star fullback Tom Trbojevic ruled out for the upcoming home clash against the Raiders on Sunday, March 23, 2025, the Sea Eagles find themselves in a bit of a pickle. The injury list has left Coach Anthony Seibold with difficult decisions to make, particularly since Trbojevic is a crucial player whose presence is felt both on and off the field. After experiencing hamstring tightness in the defeat, Trbojevic was ruled out following conservative medical assessments despite a lack of serious injury indicated by scans.
“The Manly fullback experienced hamstring tightness late in the match against the Warriors last Friday and has been on a modified training program during the week,” the club noted. In his stead, Lehi Hopoate is expected to step up as the starting fullback, while Tommy Talau is anticipated to fill in on the left wing. Seibold's management underscores a cautious approach to ensure Trbojevic can potentially return for the subsequent game against the Parramatta Eels.
Daly Cherry-Evans, the team’s skipper, seems to be in better shape. After leaving the field nine days ago due to back spasms, he returned to training and is expected to participate in Sunday’s match. Cherry-Evans, 36 years old, showcased resilience, returning to full participation in Thursday's training. His presence as captain is crucial, especially after the team’s chaotic performance last week.
“He’s our captain and halfback, so we’re really excited to have him in the team. I’m pretty sure that he’s ready to go, so I’m excited to have him on-board,” forward Ethan Bullemor praised of Cherry-Evans.
Taniela Paseka, a prop for the Sea Eagles, elaborated on the impact of losing both Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic during their recent match, revealing the chaos it brought upon the field. “I remember making a tackle and looking behind and I see Lehi and I was like, ‘where’s Turbo?’ And then, obviously, Turbo wasn’t there and then I looked to my right and Chez (Cherry-Evans) went down and there was a lot of chaos,” he shared.
The loss against the Warriors exposed notable inconsistencies in the Sea Eagles' play, raising concerns as they head into the clash with one of the most competitive sides within the league. The difference in performance from their initial victory against the Cowboys to the loss last week is stark. Paseka identified a mindset issue, stating, “It was just a mindset thing. I think it’s all a mindset thing. When you have a good game, you’ve got to remember to not ride the highs too high and stay neutral.”
The Sea Eagles are determined to return to the form that registered a resounding win in the opening round. Their objective against the Raiders will be to restore their reputation while overcoming the current adversity. The players and coaching staff are seeking balance as they prepare for the challenge ahead.
In terms of team selection, the Sea Eagles confirmed several changes from last week. Tolu Koula returns to the starting line-up, replacing Clayton Faulalo in the centers. Siosiua Taukeiaho makes his way back to the starting side after a knee injury sidelined him for Round 2. He replaces Josh Aloiai, who will drop to the bench alongside Jazz Tevaga, where Jake Simpkin will also continue at dummy-half.
The match against Canberra is not just about claiming two points in the standings but also about reinforcing the team's camaraderie amid injuries. The Sea Eagles' management has echoed this sentiment, hoping for a stronger response after their previous disappointing performance.
With so much on the line, including the health and performance of their key players, the Sea Eagles appear ready to take on the challenge this Sunday. The spotlight will be on both Cherry-Evans and the newly appointed fullback Hopoate as they lead the team into a crucial match, aiming to leave last week’s chaos behind and focus on what they do best: playing footy.
The Sea Eagles kick off against Canberra Raiders at 6:15 PM AEDT on March 23, 2025, at 4 Pines Park, and fans are hopeful for a turnaround in fortunes.
