Manly Sea Eagles vs Dolphins NRL Tips - Plenty of points expected as Phins spoil DCE's 350th

First and foremost, both teams' seasons are basically on the line. Lose this match and it will be extremely difficult to reel in the Roosters for what is looking like the last spot in the top eight. It's also Daly Cherry-Evans' 350th NRL game, which in almost all cases is a cause for celebration - but the veteran halfback has been in dire form and if the rumours are to be believed, there's a few senior players who continue to blame him for derailing Manly's season before it really began. Anthony Seibold has also reportedly lost the dressing room and their most loyal player Jake Trbojevic remains sidelined with concussion. Will Manly get up for DCE's milestone game? Dunno...

What I am confident in is plenty of points. If there's a team to unlock Manly's shoddy recent attack it's the Dolphins, who have conceded 92 points in their last two games. The Sea Eagles have only scored six tries in their last four games, losing all four of those outings by 13+ margins - including a most-recent 26-12 defeat to the Tigers. All after beating the Storm on the road. Classic Manly. The best bet for this clash is Over 48.5 total points, while I just can't back the Sea Eagles at the moment - the Dolphins weren't too bad against the Broncos last week and were leading 28-14 early in the second half before running out of steam. They are chasing their first finals series and unlike Manly, the playing group isn't fractured. In saying that, have to jump on Tolutau Koula to continue his red-hot tryscoring form, both at 4 Pines and against the Phins.

This will be the third meeting between the teams. Manly crushed the Dolphins 58-18 at Brookvale in 2023 before the Phins returned serve with a 30-24 victory in Round 10 of the 2024 season at Suncorp.

In news surprising to zero NRL fans, Manly's season is imploding from within and it would take a miracle turnaround from here if they are to sneak into the top eight.

The Sea Eagles are currently four points adrift of the Roosters in the eighth and last finals position after losing four games on the trot by 14+ points, while their points differential is also much worse than their fellow finals challengers.

You can't blame DCE for doing what's best for him and his family, but the reality of the situation is that he blew up Manly's season when he announced his intention to leave the club in the first few rounds of the year. The Manly board are also to blame for some poor leadership and governing throughout the entire saga.

The entire mess has clearly impacted Cherry-Evans too - his form has been abysmal and he's under immense pressure as he becomes just the fifth player to feature in 350 NRL games this weekend.

Jake Trbojevic remains sidelined with concussion, while Tommy Talau comes into the centres for Reuben Garrick, who is out with a shoulder injury. Aaron Schoupp joins the bench.

The Dolphins' hopes of featuring in their maiden finals series have taken a huge blow over the last fortnight, losing to both the Roosters and Broncos - two teams who are also jostling for spots in the lower half of the eight.

It's the manner in which the Dolphins lost those games that is most concerning, leaking a whopping 64 points to the Roosters before falling 38-28 in a shootout with the Broncos in the Battle of Brisbane last week.

The Phins can put on points with the best of them, but their defence has always been suspect and it could cost them a place in the finals.

Trae Fuller was absolutely electric with the ball in hand in his return to first grade last week, making the most runs (21) and the most metres (257) out of anyone on the field, including scoring a superb long-range solo try.

Despite Fuller's brilliant showing at fullback, he's been dropped to the bench in order for Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to reclaim the No. 1 jersey and Max Feagai coming back into the centres after a shoulder injury.

Big boost for the Dolphins as both Felise Kaufusi and Francis Molo return from suspension, with Mark Nicholls going back to the pine and Aublix Tawha dropping out.