TK's simple guide to the Manly Sea Eagles fantasy prospects for 2025.
Had a decent 2024 which also saw the debut of super star in making Lehi Hopoate. Some handy new recruits that didn't break the bank will add to their MID depth which is the weakness of the team. Luke Brooks finally made a finals appearance and took a big work load off Daly Cherry-Evans. Tommy Turbo did well to get through as many games as he did but he did seem hesitant at times and it will be interesting to see if coach Anthony Seibold pulls the trigger and moves him to the front line at centre to cater for the talented Hopoate. They don't have the front row to contend for the title but on their day can match it with any one.
Prediction - Finals bound
Sea Eagles 2025 Player Movements
2025 Gains |
Siosiua Taukeiaho (Catalans Dragons, 2025), Jazz Tevaga (New Zealand Warriors, 2025) |
2025 Loses |
Bailey Hodgson (Leigh Leopards), Jamie Humphreys (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Karl Lawton (North Queensland Cowboys), Brad Parker (retired), Jaxson Paulo (North Queensland Cowboys), Josh Schuster (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Aaron Woods (retired) |
The team looks pretty settled after a much better showing in 2024. Have plenty of competition in the outside backs with question marks on what they do with the talented Hopoate, will they continue with Garrick in the centres and what to do with Tommy Talau after a break out season. They have bought some good veterans who should fill he bench but expect some rotation there. The Draw and Game Day Squad
Byes - round 9,16,19
Game Day Squad allows a true focus on weekly match ups. Outside backs like Reuben Garrick on Brookvale Oval is a must have in the following match ups. You could also double up into Turbo.
NRL Fantasy perspective
Deep bye in round 9 and will play 14 of the first 15 games and they play all the major buy rounds in 12,15 and 18. Issue is most of their players look close to fully priced.
Fantasy relevant players for round 1 - Reuben Garrick
2025 NRL Fantasy Fortunes (slide across for full notes)
Player | Price | NRL Fantasy Av | GameDay Squad Av | Notes |
Daly Cherry-Evans | $725K | 53.3 | 54.8 | Fell 10 fantasy points as the arrival of Brooks just simply made him less dominate. The great thing about owning him is he always plays however does seem the decline, with his big scores when Garrick was out. More a watchlist as what changes their style of play. |
Tom Trbojevic | $700K | 52.6 | 56.9 | Actually played 18 games in two stints. Did have some good scores but did seem to be restricted at times. Is there a stage that he is moved to the centres to accommodate Hoppa. If I spend big on a WFB i prefer Ponga or Trell. |
Haumole Olakau'atu | $672K | 50.3 | 50.5 | Had a nice patch of games between rd 4 and 11 where he av 59. Just don't trust his consistency as he goes on heaters. Avoid |
Jake Trbojebic | $596K | 44.6 | 42 | Just plods away in big minutes. Got married to Waddell's sister also over the preseason. Avoid |
Reuben Garrick | $583K | 43.7 | 45.7 | We know his upside but he turned into the biggest HIA king of all time (av 49 without the HIA). Was a scary watch and I'm not that that keen to do it early in the year but I can see the interest. Manly do have four out of five home games to kick off the season where Garrick is King. The dual makes him a massive BUY. |
Luke Brooks | $550K | 40.8 | 37.6 | Good to see him break his finals duck but doesn't mean his any good at fantasy. Avoid |
Lehi Hopoate | TBA | 37.8 | 41.8 | Will continue to improve. Probably fairly priced at this stage but when he scored he scored well. Watchlist |
Taniela Paseka | $473K | 35.4 | 34.9 | Slight upside when he plays his 50 minute role. Not enough to buy him though. Avoid |
Tommy Talau | $465K | 34.8 | 37.3 | Big bad Tommy Talau we love what you did for us in 2024. Unfortuately his fully priced and we may not own him unless Seibs drops him to the bench to lower his price for us. Unfortuate avoid |
Tolutau Koula | $424K | 31.8 | 31.5 | Only relevant at fullback where he is now third string. Avoid |
Toafofoa Sipley | $423K | 31.7 | 32.2 | Just won't get the mins to be relevant. Is a fun watch though as he rips in. Avoid |
Jason Saab | $422K | 31.6 | 33.9 | Priced at potential. Avoid |
Lachlan Croker | $420K | 31.4 | 29.1 | Had injury issues and several different players took minutes from him. If he returns to bigger mins he has upside. 2023 in had a 44.2 av in 73.2 mins (19 games over 60 mins). Out for first 4 rounds. Watchlist but the injures are now a real concern. |
Ben Trbojevic | $415K | 31.1 | 29.1 | Did his job as a cashie last year but we don't need him this year. 34 av at edge and is higher in games he didn't cover the centres. Not the worst choice but prefer both Bird and Howarth ahead of him. Watchlist |
Jazz Tevaga | $412K | 30.9 | 30.2 | Great PPM but probably a lower minute HOK/MID in the rotation. Get on the watchlist. |
Nathan Brown | $413K | 30.9 | 27.7 | Actually got some good minutes last year. At full strength probably won't see those minutes though. Avoid |
Corey Waddell | $407K | 30.5 | 28.9 | 40 av when starting in 6 games on the edge. So keep an eye on him if there is a Burbo injury. Watchlist |
Caleb Navale | TBA | 30 | 30.5 | 2 games for a limited role but great PPM. NSW Cup he had 12 games for 44.8 fantasy average. Would be down the depth chart but keep an eye on him. |
Ethan Bullemor | $391K | 29.3 | 29.9 | Bench specialist at best. Avoid |
Aaron Schoupp | $350K | 28.7 | 27.7 | Never been a great NRL fantasy scorer. Even NSW Cup he had 15 games for a 30 av. Avoid |
Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega | $350K | 28.7 | 31.3 | Fill in winger with limited upside. Even NSW cup he had 13 games for only 27.8 av. Avoid |
Josh Aloiai | $381K | 28.6 | 27.9 | Seemed to be hampered by the knee injury. Even in his regular role of around 45 mins he averaged 34.5 fantasy points. So small value but not enough to take a punt given his injury history. |
Michael Chee-Kam | $375K | 28.1 | 25.5 | 38.6 average starting on an edge in 7 games for Souths. Would be underpriced if he starts but would be a long shot for round 1. Watchlist |
Jake Simpkin | $371K | 27.8 | 25.6 | 36.9 average when replacing Croker starting at hooker in 7 games. With Croker down for the first 4 rounds he becomes relevant but there is talk Jazz has jumped him as back up. |
Clayton Faulalo | $325K | 24.3 | 28.4 | Fullback with a fantasy relevant game. Just so far behind on the depth cart. 20 NSW Cup games for a 47.4 av. Watchlist |
Gordon Chan Kum Tong | $250K | 15 | 13.8 | The greatest name in NRL history just doesn't start games to be relevant. 11 games in NSW Cup he averaged 34.4. Avoid |
Aitasi James | $250K | 15 | 15.2 | Middle who may get a game or two from the bench. NSW Cup he had 21 games for only an averaged of 27.6 fantasy points. Avoid |
Ben Condon | TBA | 11 | 6.8 | Benchy at best. Even NSW Cup wasn't much chop, 22 games for a 30.3 average. Avoid |
Chris Patolo | TBA | 6.5 | 6.9 | Joins from the Doggies. Just won't get a role to be relevant. Avoid |
Siosiua Taukeiaho | $400K | 0 | 0 | At his best he was super fantasy relevant. Issue that was 3 years ago and a stack of injuries later means he is likely a low minute bench player at best. Avoid |
Jake Arthur | $300K | 0 | 0 | Back up at best. In NSW Cup he had 10 games for 36.9 av. Avoid |
Dean Matterson | TBA | 0 | 0 | Back up at best. In NSW Cup he had 17 games for 32.6 av. Avoid |
Joey Walsh | $230K | 0 | 0 | Young halfback with limited experience, would be years away from NRL. Avoid |
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