Check out the match preview and prediction for the 2025 National Rugby League round 8 clash between the Penrith Panthers and the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
MATCHDAY NEWS
MATCHDAY SCHEDULE
Penrith Panthers Vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Date: Saturday April 26, 7:35pm (AEST)
MATCHDAY TEAM NEWS
Panthers: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Paul Alamoti 3. Izack Tago 4. Casey McLean 5. Thomas Jenkins 6. Blaize Talagi 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Luke Sommerton 10. Liam Henry 11. Scott Sorensen 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Brad Schneider 15. Isaiah Papali’i 16. Lindsay Smith 17. Mavrik Geyer 18. Daine Laurie 19. Luron Patea 20. Asu Kepaoa 21. Matt Eisenhuth 22. Jack Cole
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Josh Aloiai 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Tommy Talau 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 19. Clayton Faulalo 20. Jakob Arthur 21. Michael Chee Kam 22. Caleb Navale
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Bunker: Ashley Klein
MATCHDAY PREVIEW
Two huge individual battles headline a Saturday night ANZAC Round special between the Penrith Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles at CommBank Stadium.
The matchup between opposing fullbacks Dylan Edwards and Tom Trbojevic and halfbacks Nathan Cleary and Daly Cherry-Evans provide an intriguing backdrop to a match between two underperforming teams.
Luke Sommerton returns to the Panthers team at hooker after Mitch Kenny was suspended for two matches for a hip drop on Roosters forward Nat Butcher. In the other change for the Panthers, Izack Tago moves back into the starting side with Luke Garner out due to concussion. Mavrik Geyer joins the bench.
The big news for Manly is the return of Tom Trbojevic from injury, pushing Lehi Hopoate to the wing, and Tommy Talau to the bench. Josh Aloiai also returns at prop with Toafofoa Sipley suspended for four matches. Jake Trbojevic is out with concussion, so Jazz Tevaga moves from hooker to lock, and Jake Simpkin moves into the starting team at hooker. Corey Waddell has been named to return from suspension on the bench, with Clayton Faulalo dropping to the reserves.
After five straight losses, the Panthers finally returned to the winners’ circle with a 40-12 demolition of the Sydney Roosters at Allianz Stadium. The Panthers were at their clinical best, showing the form that has seen them win the past four premierships.
Despite a good start to the year, Manly have lost their last three matches to drop to 11th on the ladder. Coach Anthony Seibold was critical of the travel schedule that saw them return from Perth to play the Dragons at home five days later, going down 20-18.
Edwards put any questions over his position as New South Wales fullback to bed in the win over the Roosters, producing his best performance of the season to help his team return to form. At the other end of the field is Tom Trbojevic, whose influence over Manly has been well documented over the years. The Sea Eagles’ three-match losing run has coincided with Trbojevic’s absence with a knee injury.
The clash between Cleary and Cherry-Evans will also be crucial to deciding the outcome of this match. Cleary was at his brilliant best for the Panthers against the Roosters, controlling the tempo of the match and putting in a five-star display with the boot. Cherry-Evans has struggled for form somewhat since news of his impending departure from the Sea Eagles broke. If Manly are to claim victory, they’ll need their captain at his best.
Even though Manly holds a 53-43 advantage in all head-to-head matches (with one draw) between the two sides, in recent years it has been all Penrith, with the Panthers winning 15 of their 19 meetings, dating back to 2012. The Panthers have also won nine of the past 10 between the two teams, with the Sea Eagles’ only victory coming at 4 Pines Park in round 5, 2024. This will be their first meeting at CommBank Stadium, which becomes just the sixth venue to host the two teams – alongside 4 Pines Park, Penrith Stadium, the SCG, the old SFS, and Carrington Park. Penrith have a 100% win rate over Manly at the latter three grounds.
Having finally found some form in 2025, the Panthers will be keen to keep that going and record their first win at their temporary home. They should be too strong for the Sea Eagles in a tight match.
MATCHDAY PREDICTION
Panthers by 10 points.
Check out all the NRL Predictions here.
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