Pre-Game Storm V Manly [Round 20, 2025]

[Jethro]

Storm V Manly [Round 20, 2025]


MATCH DAY

Saturday 19 July 2025.

Venue:.... AAMI Park, Melbourne, VIC

Gates Open:.... 6:00pm.

NRL Kick Off Time:.... Melbourne Storm V Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: 7:35pm.


TICKETING

VS

Click here

https://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show.aspx?sh=STORM2025

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

01. Lehi Hopoate
02. Jason Saab
03. Tolutau Koula
04. Tom Trbojevic
05. Reuben Garrick
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans (C)

08. Matthew Lodge
09. Jazz Tevaga
10. Siosiua Taukei'aho
11. Corey Waddell
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Tommy Talau
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Toafofoa Sipley


Replacement:

18. Aaron Schoupp.


Reserves:
.

Out:

19. Clayton Faulalo
20. Caleb Navale - Development Player
21. Joey Walsh
22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong.


Available But Not Selected:

• Chris Patolo
• Michael Chee Kam
• Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega
• Dean Matterson
• Aitasi James
• D’Jazirhae ‘Mia’ Pua'avase - Development Player
• Simione Laiafi - Development Player
• Zaidas Muagututia - Development Player.

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From the Manly Sea Eagles website, here is the ' Injury Update: Taniela Paseka' released on Tuesday, 25 March 2025:

Sea Eagles prop Taniela Paseka has undergone surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

The 27-year-old suffered the injury midway through the first half of the Round 3 victory over the Raiders.

Taniela is aiming to be available to play in Round 25 this season following a 16–20-week recovery period.

Injury Update: Taniela Paseka

Sea Eagles prop Taniela Paseka has undergone surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon.

www.seaeagles.com.au

From the 'NRL 2025, Injuries, Suspension Return Dates, Casualty Ward and Key Information for the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership Season' web page, Here is the Latest NRL Injured or Unavailable Update:

* * * (Updated: Tuesday, 15 July 2025) * * *

Sea Eagles forward, Nathan Brown has undergone surgery to repair a ruptured biceps tendon and is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Brown suffered the injury during the win over Wests Tigers in Round 17 and the club confirmed he could be out for up to 12 weeks.

Manly Sea Eagles

• Lachlan Croker (Concussion, Round 21)
• Haumole Olakau'atu (Shoulder, Round 21)
• Josh Aloiai (Shoulder, TBC)
• Taniela Paseka (Achilles, Round 26)
• Nathan Brown(Biceps, Finals)

NRL Casualty Ward: ACL fears for McInnes; Concern for Garrick

The Cronulla Sharks fear Cameron McInnes' season is over after he suffered a knee injury in Saturday's win over the Titans, while Manly back Reuben Garrick was forced to leave the field early in the match against Wests Tigers.

www.nrl.com

Also, from the Official NRL Casualty Ward & Injury Information, Manly hub page, there are slight variations to the information regarding the unavailable or injured players and their return periods:

• Lachlan Croker (Concussion, Round 21)
• Haumole Olakau'atu (Shoulder, Round 21)
• Taniela Paseka (Achilles, Round 26)
• Josh Aloiai (Shoulder, TBC)
• Nathan Brown(Biceps, TBC)

Casualty Ward

Check the Official NRL Casualty Ward, which players are injured, and who is expected to make their way back onto the field and in the game.

www.nrl.com

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[mickqld]

Reckon we'd be better going with a backline of
1. Turbo
2. Loppa
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Garrick.
Storm will target Turbo's questionable defense at centre. Talau better defensively.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

This is clearly a big step up from where we are and it’s away , the Drizzle will be raging hot favourites.

I’m not sure we can stay with them but I think the identical approach to the last two games is the way to go , try and hold ( or win ) the middle in the first 20 minutes.

Who knows we might get lucky because at some stage we are going to cause the mother of all upsets, I can feel it coming.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Manly big underdogs - but might be hard for Storm's Origin players not to be a bit underwhelmed about the Sea eagles challenge. Take it easy you lot, it's only Manly.
Drag them down to our pedestrian level, then surprise them with one or 2 flukey moments of brilliance. Manly wins!
(but probably best the Knights don't spring an upset this week!)

 

[Phobia]

Am I insane for thinking we are a chance?

Melbourne were pretty garbage for that first half against the Knights. If they're complacent after getting that win, we could surprise them.

This is wholly dependent on Lodge & TKO winding back the clock to 2019 form. Very unlikely, but to quote a great man "you're telling me there's a chance?"

 

[Rafferty]

Am I insane for thinking we are a chance?

Melbourne were pretty garbage for that first half against the Knights. If they're complacent after getting that win, we could surprise them.

This is wholly dependent on Lodge & TKO winding back the clock to 2019 form. Very unlikely, but to quote a great man "you're telling me there's a chance?"

They were ordinary, then Hughes and Grant stepped up in the second half, if you can shut Grant down or limit his game, that’s the key, it’s been done, it works and would work again, doing it is the hard part.

Then if you can cut his game down, limit his service, Hughes will be less effective, so the boys can then pressure him off his game, Munster might have his own struggles, but work the other 2 over and you never know.

Seems outrageous even thinking it, but I kind of feel we could be well rested and up for the challenge, while they might be feeling the pinch somewhat, would I place my cash on it? No way, do I think there’s a sneaky chance? For some strange reason like you, l do. I think I must be losing it.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Am I insane for thinking we are a chance?

Melbourne were pretty garbage for that first half against the Knights. If they're complacent after getting that win, we could surprise them.

This is wholly dependent on Lodge & TKO winding back the clock to 2019 form. Very unlikely, but to quote a great man "you're telling me there's a chance?"

You are not insane. I also think we're a chance. In fact, I have more faith that we'll put in a good performance (not that we'll necessarily win) against a team like the Storm than I would if we were playing the Titans, Tigers or Bunnies. I mean, if you can't get a up for a game against the Storm or the Panthers, what's the point of even competing in the NRL?

And the Storm could take us lightly. Why wouldn't they? There is nothing to suggest they should be worried about anything we can throw at them.

Also, we have won our last two games - admittedly against hot garbage, but a win is a win and two wins is two wins. That might just give us some confidence and freedom.

So yes, it is not impossible that we could jag a win. Which is about as confident as I get about Manly's chances against anyone these days.

 

[Jimmie]

Am I insane for thinking we are a chance?

Melbourne were pretty garbage for that first half against the Knights. If they're complacent after getting that win, we could surprise them.

This is wholly dependent on Lodge & TKO winding back the clock to 2019 form. Very unlikely, but to quote a great man "you're telling me there's a chance?"

Agree…if our forwards can win the middle then it takes time and space away from grant and Munster.munster does not have a great long kicking game either.Complete and win the middle and our backs will take care of the rest.

 

[Dingo]

Am I insane for thinking we are a chance?

Melbourne were pretty garbage for that first half against the Knights. If they're complacent after getting that win, we could surprise them.

This is wholly dependent on Lodge & TKO winding back the clock to 2019 form. Very unlikely, but to quote a great man "you're telling me there's a chance?"

I hope you're right, I think it depends what Storm we get.

We couldn't even compete with them earlier in the year at home in front of a packed crowd on a Sunday arvo, lucky not to concede 50 in that one (albeit our first difficult opposition after the DCE news which was still fresh at the time). Melbourne were very switched on in that one though, unfortunate timing we got them right after an embarrassing loss to the Dargs, they did everything right. However you definitely can catch them off at times this year, it's not something they do every game. I just can't see us doing much better in Melbourne though, rivalry game at home they'd be up for it you'd think. Not to mention we already struggle to string 2 wins in a row together, let alone 3! I do hope we use that big loss early in the season to fuel us.

I am not exactly looking forward to it, but it makes the loss less painful when you have zero faith in us winning lol. Anything half decent on Saturday will be a bonus for me, i'll go and put 60 on them when the new Rugby League video game drops on Thursday 😂

 

[ALinda]

Wishful thinking but if Haumole could play in this one I'd feel better about it...

 

[stoodamire]

I’ll be at the game. My first time to AAMI Park. I’m excited!

 

[manly al]

Manly 's defence has shown some helpful improvement the past couple of games ,, particularly in the general ruck area .
As is generally accepted , not against the better attacking sides going around for the season proper and a bit shaky again when the ball was spread a bit but still on the positive side considering some of the below par performances in quite a few previous outings .
Template was still probably that really solid and co ordinated effort against the Cowboys quite a few weeks ago , Threw quite a bit at Manly but Manly defence again worked really well as a unit and surely must still be in their capacity to replicate , even without a key player in Haumole
Should as usual have the attack to be competitive , just again if they can aim up defensively

 

[Eagle 1]

Storm seem to be very vulnerable defending between centre and wing, hold them in the forwards and we are a big chance of coming away with a win.

 

[ManlyArmy]

Manly to win in a classic underdog performance, put some confidence in the Manly faithful to turn up in droves Sunday week at Allianz against the Dogs.

 

[Disco]

Are we any chance of a little Olakau'atu surprise?

 

[Disco]

Manly to win in a classic underdog performance, put some confidence in the Manly faithful to turn up in droves Sunday week at Allianz against the Dogs.

I've tickets to that Dogs game and concerned I'll be surrounded by blue and white.

 

[Budgie]

I’ll be at the game. My first time to AAMI Park. I’m excited!

It's a great venue

 

[Seagles68]

Are we any chance of a little Olakau'atu surprise?

I just hope he doesn't try and get back earlier than he should coz that won't help anyone.

If he is genuinely fit though, that would be great.

 

[Seagles68]

I've tickets to that Dogs game and concerned I'll be surrounded by blue and white.

If the semi final I went to last year is any indicator, it's almost guaranteed. Altho, behind the posts had a good Manly contingent.

 

[Waz13]

Are we any chance of a little Olakau'atu surprise?

Unlikely I reckon. I’d get him back v dogs if able. If we spring an upset v Storm it’s prob as likely without him as it is with him. Wonder if Munster will play? Wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still out.