Source :- THE AGE NEWS
Manly mentor Kieran Foran has endured his first rough patch as an NRL coach, following a sensational honeymoon period after replacing Anthony Seiboild early in the season.
“It’s been a rollercoaster that’s for sure,” he tells Fox Sports’ Shaun Johnson.
“Obviously started really well. I won seven from eight, it was a sort of dream start.
“We’ve faced a challenging last six weeks, it’s been really tough. We haven’t been able to come up with a win or play our best footy, and that’s something we’ve been chasing. I’m hopeful we’ll be able to get that on tonight.”
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1. Clayton Faulalo 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Joey Walsh 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Simione Laiafi 9. Brandon Wakeham 16. Fletcher Baker 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Corey Waddell 13. Jake Trbojevic
Bench: 10. Nathan Brown 14. Jake Simpkin 15. Nicholas Lenaz 17. Jackson Shereb 18. Josh Feledy 19. Hugo Hart
Dolphins
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Thomas Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 16. Tom Gilbert 11. Connelly Lemuelu 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles
Bench: 10. Francis Molo 14. Max Plath 15. Ray Stone 17. Felise Kaufusi 18. Brad Schneider 21. Tevita Naufahu
Former Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans starred for the Roosters in last night’s win over Penrith, then confirmed he will depart the NRL at the end of the season to link up with Hull FC in the UK Super League.
There’s some welcome good news on the contact front for Penrith with co-captain Isaah Yeo expected to recommit to the club before the finals.
Panthers centre Paul Alamoti has re-signs for another two years and back-rower Isaiah Papalii has told the club he will also take up a new deal beyond 2027.
That follows the announcement superstar winger Brian To’o will exit for the PNG Chiefs at the end of next season.
And in coaching news, Billy Slater has stepped down as Queensland Origin coach, meaning both the Maroons and Blues will have new coaches in charge in 2028. Matt King replaced Laurie Daley as NSW coach last month.
The Sea Eagles handed the Dolphins a 52-18 thumping in Brisbane back in round 4.
Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has called on the NRL to protect Herbie Farnworth after a string of hip-drop style tackles on his star centre in recent weeks raised fears it is only a matter of time before he suffers a serious injury.
Farnworth has been hit low and from behind on at least five occasions, prompting Woolf to ask referees to monitor the situation as a matter of urgency.
“Because Herbie is so big and powerful and he can break the line, it often leaves players swinging off the back of him and trying to bring him to ground,” Woolf said.
“It’s a concern because it’s a dangerous tackle that happens on a regular basis. All the players are aware of the hip-drop tackle. We look for it more, and we talk about them more.
“Herbie is one of the elite players in our competition, and it’s only a matter of time before one of those tackles ends badly and he suffers a serious injury.”
Hello and welcome to our coverage of a Friday night double-header, with two teams in the bottom half of the top eight battling against two teams fighting to earn a spot in the finals.
First up, the fifth-placed Dolphins visit the 10th-placed Sea Eagles at Manly’s 4 Pines Park. The Sea Eagles are two wins outside the eight after five straight losses and the Dolphins are two wins clear of eighth, with four rounds left to play. Can Manly turn their form around with a big scalp here?
Then the ninth-placed Bulldogs take on seventh-placed South Sydney in a game that could have a huge say on the finals places. Canterbury are looking to bounce back from last week’s tough two-point loss to the Roosters while the Rabbitohs are out to take back-to-back wins for the first time since June.
Kick-off for game one is 6pm, game two begins at 8pm.
