The Manly Sea Eagles will be hoping to bounce back from their opening round defeat when they host the Newcastle Knights on Sunday afternoon.

After blowing an early 14-point lead, the Sea Eagles themselves fought back from 14 points down to force a golden point.

However, an Ethan Sanders field goal sealed a 29-28 win for the Raiders. Manly was also on the wrong end of a golden point result when these teams met last year, with Newcastle triumphing 26-22.

More recently, the spine of Kalyn Ponga, Fletcher Sharpe and Phoenix Crossland, boosted by new signing Dylan Brown at halfback, was on fire as the Knights defeated the Cowboys 28-18 in the season’s Las Vegas curtain-raiser.

Manly prop Siosiua Taukeiaho is out with a calf injury; Kobe Hetherington moves into the starting side while club debutant and Newcastle one-gamer Paul Bryan joins the interchange.

Meanwhile, Sandon Smith starts in the halves for the Knights with Sharpe recovering from a knee injury.

For the latest news, odds and analysis ahead of this Brookvale battle, check out our Sea Eagles vs Knights tips and predictions below.

Sea Eagles vs Knights Prediction and Betting Tips

Head-to-Head Prediction

A tough one to tip here, as the Sea Eagles host the Knights at Brookvale Oval to start Sunday’s Round 2 action.

Newcastle looked a side reborn in their Vegas opener, as they saw off the Cowboys, but the trip stateside cost them Fletcher Sharpe who appears to have torn his ACL.

Still, new man Dylan Brown has already started to justify his multi-million-dollar price tag and Kalyn Ponga looks set for a big year at the back.

Speaking of new men, Jamal Fogarty was very impressive in his Sea Eagles debut, scoring a late try and converting a last-gasp penalty to force golden point against his former side.

Ultimately, he couldn’t guide his side to the win, as they went down 29-28, but Manly’s efforts were easily worth at least a point, if not two.

With matchups like this, we always turn to the odds and home ground advantage and at the time of writing, both favour the Sea Eagles, so we shall too.

Betting tip: Manly Sea Eagles.

First Try Scorer Prediction

Ponga performed with most of his potent potential on display last week in Vegas, without actually finding the tryline himself.

We’re tipping that to change here and fast, and as a result, we’re backing the Newcastle custodian to be the first one to cross in this match.

Never mind the Knights underdog billing here, in fact it’s a good thing. Ponga has scored a try in four of his five previous appearances with Newcastle as an underdog against Manly.

Betting tip: Kalyn Ponga.

Over/Under Prediction

Each of Manly's last four matches have gone over the total match points line.

Betting tip: Over (48.5) total match points.

Line Prediction

Newcastle has failed to cover the line in each of its last four away matches.

Betting tip: Manly (-5.5) line.

Sea Eagles vs Knights Anytime Try Scorer Betting Tips

Tolutau Koula

Tolutau Koula has scored at least one try in each of his last 10 home appearances.

Dominic Young

Dominic Young has scored at least one try in each of his last five appearances against Manly.

Lehi Hopoate

In each of Newcastle's last seven matches, the opposition's starting left wing has scored at least one try.

Greg Marzhew

Greg Marzhew has scored a try in each of Newcastle's last three matches.

Haumole Olakau'atu

Haumole Olakau'atu has scored a try in five of Manly's last six matches against Newcastle.

Reuben Garrick

Reuben Garrick has scored a try in three of Manly's last four matches against Newcastle.

Sea Eagles vs Knights Teams

Manly Sea Eagles Team List

1. Tom Trbojevic (c)

2. Jason Saab

3. Tolu Koula

4. Reuben Garrick

5. Lehi Hopoate

6. Luke Brooks

7. Jamal Fogarty

8. Taniela Paseka

9. Jake Simpkin

10. Kobe Hetherington

11. Haumole Olakau'atu

12. Ben Trbojevic

13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Joey Walsh

15. Nathan Brown

16. Ethan Bullemor

17. Paul Bryan

18. Brandon Wakeham

Newcastle Knights Team List

1. Kalyn Ponga (c)

2. Dominic Young

3. Dane Gagai

4. Bradman Best

5. Greg Marzhew

6. Sandon Smith

7. Dylan Brown

8. Jacob Saifiti

9. Phoenix Crossland

10. Trey Mooney 

11. Dylan Lucas

12. Jermaine McEwen

13. Tyson Frizell

14. Thomas Cant

15. Mat Croker

16. Pasami Saulo

17. Francis Manuleleua

18. Fletcher Hunt

Sea Eagles vs Knights Match Details

Date: Sunday, March 15, 2026.

Kick-off: 4:05pm AEDT.

Location: Brookvale Oval, Sydney.