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St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles NRL Tips - Will Manly have the motivation?

andrew-hendrie
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Last updated: Thu 28 Aug 2025 11:35

In the NRL Round 26 matchup, Manly Sea Eagles are poised to claim an essential victory over the St George Illawarra Dragons. Despite recent struggles, the Sea Eagles showed their capabilities with a significant win last week, while the Dragons continued to falter. The Dragons, already out of finals contention, are focused on redeeming themselves, but face an uphill battle against a lethal Manly attack. Key players like Tolu Koula and Daly Cherry-Evans will be pivotal as Manly looks to maximize its playoff chances, relying also on other teams' outcomes.

Andrew Hendrie 28 Aug 2025
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  • St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles expert predictions for Saturday's NRL Round 26 game
  • Kick off is at 5.30pm AEST at Jubilee Stadium
  • Manly's motivation & finals chances could rest on Roosters vs Storm game on Friday
  • Recent trends & H2H meetings suggest a relatively low-scoring game
  • Preview, expert analysis, stats, team news & best bets
St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles NRL Tips


St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles, NRL Round 26 - Expert Prediction


Manly are tipped to potentially keep their faint finals chances alive by claiming their first win over the Dragons at Kogarah since 2014 in the second game on Super Saturday.

  • St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles, NRL Round 26 - Expert Prediction
  • St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis
  • St George Illawarra Dragons Team News
  • St George Illawarra Dragons Team List
  • Manly Sea Eagles Form Analysis
  • Manly Sea Eagles Team News
  • Manly Sea Eagles Team List

Dragons vs Manly Round 26 NRL Cheat Sheet
Download PDF

Ah Manly, the tippers' nightmare. Just when I'd officially put a line through the boys from the Northern Beaches, they go and drop 58 points on the Dolphins to remain in the finals hunt. The Sea Eagles actually have a great draw to end the season against the Dragons and at home to the Warriors, so if the Roosters and Dolphins slip up, they have the opportunity to take advantage.

Honestly, nothing would be surprise me here - Manly could win by 50 or lose by 50 and there'd be legitimate arguments for both. It all could depend on how the Roosters fare against Melbourne on Friday. However, I'm going to tentatively back the Sea Eagles in for the win - their attack is absolutely lethal when firing and Daly Cherry-Evans got some spark back in celebrating game No. 350 with a win last week.

The Dragons meanwhile were downright deplorable in losing 40-0 to the Rabbitohs. Returning home to Kogarah will give them a boost, but I'm not sure it's enough. Games featuring these teams and recent meetings have been trending under lately and I'm putting Manly's high-scoring game last week down more to the Dolphins and their abysmal defence. Tolu Koula is having the best season of his career, scoring 16 tries in 21 games, and can continue his red-hot form here.

  • Dragons have lost eight of their last 11 games
  • Dragons have seen Under 48.5 points in five of their last six games
  • Sea Eagles have seen Under 48.5 points in 16 of their last 17 games
  • The last five meetings have seen Under 48.5 points
  • Tolu Koula has scored a try in seven of his last eight games

St George Illawarra Dragons Form Analysis


It's been another disappointing season for the Dragons and they seemingly threw in the towel in a diabolical 40-0 crushing at the hands of Souths last week.

To be fair to the Dragons, they've battled hard and fought bravely for the bulk of the season (they've taken the scalps of top two teams Canberra and Melbourne), but last week the motivation levels just weren't there - perhaps understandably so with their finals hopes long gone.

St George Illawarra are in desperate need of some attacking spark in the halves and until that happens, they will likely continue to hover around the 10th to 15th range on the ladder.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team News


Some big inclusions for this game, with Jaydn Su'A (knee), Jack de Belin (concussion) and Hame Sele all returning, while Tyrell Sloane is also back in place of Corey Allan on the wing.

St George Illawarra Dragons Team List


1. Clinton Gutherson
2. Christian Tuipulotu
3. Hayden Buchanan
4. Mathew Feagai
5. Tyrell Sloan
6. Lyhkan King-Togia
7. Kyle Flanagan
8. Emre Guler
9. Damien Cook
10. David Klemmer
11. Jacob Halangahu
12. Jaydn Su’A
13. Jack de Belin

Interchange
14. Jacob Liddle
15. Luciano Leilua
16. Hame Sele
17. Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga

Reserves
18. Ben Murdoch-Masila
19. Corey Allan
20. Lachlan Ilias
21. Nathan Lawson
22. Blake Lawrie

Manly Sea Eagles Form Analysis


Another wildly inconsistent season for Manly and they've likely left any potential run to the finals too late after losing four of their last five outings.

Even if the Sea Eagles win their next two games, they need to rely on the Roosters and Dolphins slipping up ahead of them on the ladder, so their destiny is out of their control.

Manly reminded everyone of just how good they can be, absolutely towelling up a Dolphins side who were there for the taking. Tom Trbojevic and Lehi Hopoate scored doubles, while Tolu Koula crossed for what is becoming his customary try.

Manly Sea Eagles Team News


Anthony Seibold has named the same 17 players that beat the Phins 58-30 last week.

Manly Sea Eagles Team List


1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Tommy Talau
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Matthew Lodge
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Corey Waddell
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jazz Tevaga

Interchange
14. Aaron Schoupp
15. Caleb Navale
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Toafofoa Sipley

Reserves
18. Joey Walsh
19. Clayton Faulalo
20. Michael Chee Kam
21. Simione Laiafi
22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong

Verdict

Manly were brilliant last week and the Dragons were awful.

This could come down to whether or not the Roosters beat Melbourne on Friday and if Manly still have a chance for the finals entering this clash. Bet accordingly.


Best Bet1: Sea Eagles Win H2H $1.95 at betr - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Under 48.5 Total Points $1.86 at Pandabet - 2 Units
Best Bet3: Tolutau Koula Anytime Tryscorer $2.02 at Ladbrokes Australia - 1 Unit
Best Bet4: Tolutau Koula First Tryscorer $11.00 at Elitebet - 1 Unit
Sea Eagles Win
H2H
$1.95 - 3 Units
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