The Manly Sea Eagles will look to keep their finals hopes alive when they host the Dolphins at 4 Pines Park in a critical Friday night showdown. 

The Sea Eagles have lost five on the bounce, most recently going down 42-20 to the Storm on Saturday. That result left them in 10th, four points behind the eighth-placed Cowboys. 

Meanwhile, the Dolphins came back to defeat the Broncos 40-32 last weekend in a statement victory that all but sealed the club's maiden finals berth. 

Clayton Faulalo returns from injury at fullback for the Sea Eagles, pushing Lehi Hopoate back to the wing and Blake Wilson out of the side. 

Nathan Brown starts at prop as Taniela Paseka is out injured, while Hugo Hart has been named on the interchange for a potential debut. 

The Dolphins have lost Kurt Donoghoe to a thumb injury, but both Ray Stone and Jake Averillo are named on the bench. 

Manly dominated the Dolphins 52-18 when these sides met early in the season, in what was Kieran Foran’s first game in charge. Can they run it back here?

For the latest team news, analysis, and expert insights ahead of this clash, check out our Sea Eagles vs Dolphins tips and predictions below!

Sea Eagles vs Dolphins Prediction and Betting Tips 

Head-to-Head Prediction 

Thursday’s Round 24 action is a tough act to follow but seeing as neither of these teams seem to be overly fond of defending, we could at least see plenty of tries in this one. 

The Sea Eagles enter this one with their tails firmly between their legs, while the Dolphins will roll into 4 Pines Park with both their tails and Phins firmly up.

The Sea Eagles’ loss to Melbourne last week was their fifth in a row and one more loss means finals football will essentially be out of the question for the Sea Eagles.

Unfortunately for all the Fozball sympathisers out there, we’re backing the Phins to deliver the coup de grace to Manly’s top eight aspirations for season 2026. 

The Dolphins may concede tries by the bucket load, but they seem to more often than not be able to outscore their opponents, as was shown in their 42-32 firefight against Brisbane last week. 

They’ll want to fix these leaks by the time the finals roll around, but for now we fancy their chances of outscoring the badly out of form Sea Eagles here. 

Betting tip: The Dolphins. 

First Try Scorer Prediction 

The Hammer scored the Dolphins first try in last week’s win over the Broncos and we’re backing him to go one better this week and score the first try of both sides here.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored at least one try in each of his last four appearances in night matches and the floodlights will be on for this one, so keep an eye for him early. 

Betting tip: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.

Over/Under Prediction 

Each of the four previous matches between Manly and the Dolphins have gone over the total match points line

Betting tip: Over (50.5) total match points. 

Line Prediction

Manly has covered the line in seven of their last eight home matches against teams on a winning streak.

Betting tip: Sea Eagles (+9.5) line. 

Sea Eagles vs Dolphins Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips 

Tolutau Koula

Tolutau Koula has scored at least one try in each of his last nine appearances with Manly as an underdog at 4 Pines Park.

Selwyn Cobbo

Selwyn Cobbo has scored at least one try in each of his last six appearances in night matches.

Clayton Faulalo

Clayton Faulalo has scored a try in four of his last five appearances.

Jamayne Isaako

In each of Manly's last three matches at 4 Pines Park, the opposition's starting right wing has scored at least one try.

Lehi Hopoate

In six of Manly's last seven home matches, their starting left wing has scored a try.

Jason Saab

Jason Saab has scored at least one try in three of Manly's last four home matches.

Sea Eagles vs Dolphins Teams 

Manly Sea Eagles Team List 

1. Clayton Faulalo

2. Jason Saab

3. Tolo Koula

4. Reuben Garrick

5. Lehi Hopoate

6. Joey Walsh

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Simione Laiafi

9. Brandon Wakeham

10. Nathan Brown

11. Haumole Olakau'atu

12. Corey Waddell

13. Jake Trbojevic (c)

14. Jake Simpkin

15. Nicholas Lenaz

16. Fletcher Baker

17. Jackson Shereb

18. Josh Feledy

19. Hugo Hart

The Dolphins Team List 

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Jack Bostock

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Selwyn Cobbo

6. Kodi Nokirima

7. Isaiya Katoa (c)

8. Tom Flegler

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Francis Molo

11. Connelly Lemuelu

12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

13. Morgan Knowles

14. Max Plath

15. Ray Stone

16. Tom Gilbert

17. Felise Kaufusi

18. Brad Schneider

19. Jake Averillo

Sea Eagles vs Dolphins Match Details 

Date: Friday, August 14, 2026. 

Kick-off: 6:00pm AEST. 

Location: 4 Pines Park, Sydney.