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Sport Nation
Sea Eagles finals chances over after Wests Tigers mauling
Sam Kosack • August 17th, 2025 6:14 pm
The Manly Sea Eagles’ finals hopes are over after a 26-12 loss to the Wests Tigers at Allianz Stadium.
Pressure is mounting on the Northern Beaches club after four straight losses that has seen them tumble out of finals contention in Daly Cherry-Evans’ final season.
In his 349th game, Cherry-Evans seemed on a solo mission to reignite Manly’s stuttering attack, where they have only scored 38 points in the four weeks since their victory over the Storm in Melbourne.
“They have not been able to execute their opportunities,” Sydney Roosters half Chad Townsend said on SEN League.
“They've sprayed each other throughout the game, energy looks down.
“They look like a defeated team. They look like the season can't end quick enough for Manly at the moment.
“It's just like the realization that it's probably the season is finally all but done.”
SEN’s Justin Horo believes pressure will be mounting on all facets of the organisation.
“Everyone's under the pump right now,” Horo said post-match.
“The pressure that's been applied from not only frustrated fans, ex-players, all the drama that's always associated with Manly.
“Going back to however you feel about the DCE decision and his part in this, there is pressure on everyone right now from (Seibold)... you’ve got to mention Turbo’s performance too, he didn’t exactly light it up.
“It’s going to be a tough couple of days watching review.”
If Manly are under pressure, the Wests Tigers are at the complete other end of the spectrum.
This victory marks their ninth win for the season in a vastly improved back end to the season.
Their win over the Bulldogs two weeks ago demonstrated what the club is building under Benji Marshall, with a renewed sense of identity and passion for the emblem.
Jarome Luai and Adam Doueihi look to be the best halves pairing for 2026; their partnership over the last fortnight proving lethal, and with a good mix of youth and experience, including the addition of Kai Pearce Paul for next season, there’s plenty to like about the Wests Tigers.
The match was error-riddled with 27 throughout the match, but that can’t be put down to the field quality, which didn’t appear to have any issues despite concerns over whether the field would hold up after three matches over the weekend.
Much like their game against the Raiders, it was an early flash of Tolu Koula brilliance that saw Manly on the board in the first three minutes of the match.
Koula has been a shining light in an otherwise disappointing season for the Sea Eagles, beating five defenders in a 60m run to the line, finishing with a try, 149 metres, and seven tackle breaks.
However, the Tigers’ outside backs began to dominate the Sea Eagles, with Adam Doueihi, Taylan May, Sunia Turuva, and Jeral Skelton all crossing on the edges, seeing the home side win what was ultimately a one-sided contest.
The Wests Tigers take on the Cowboys at Leichhardt Oval, while the Sea Eagles return home for Daly Cherry-Evans 350th game against the Dolphins.
