The Dolphins host Manly at Kayo Stadium this Thursday evening as the Sea Eagles look to turn around a disastrous start to the 2026 NRL season.
Dolphins vs Manly Sea Eagles
It’s hard to imagine a worse start to the year for the Sea Eagles, who are winless and just gave head coach Anthony Seibold the axe this week.
They face a hot-and-cold Dolphins side who are 2-2 for the season and will be eager to bounce back after a tough loss to Brisbane last week.
Leg 1 - Sea Eagles +9.5
With Kieran Foran at the helm of Manly for the remainder of 2026, there’s every chance the side rallies and puts in a gritty performance.
There should be a renewed sense of togetherness, plus a complete absence of expectation, both of which could help the Sea Eagles play better footy.
Still, it’s hard to see Manly organised enough to grab their first win of the season. The Dolphins have won eight of their last nine Thursday games and should extend that record.
Leg 2 - Both Teams Over 16.5
In all three previous meetings between these sides, both teams have scored over 16.5 points.
This season, the Dolphins have crossed the 16.5 mark in three of their four games, while the Sea Eagles have reached or passed that number in three games as well.
Given their last meeting was a high-scoring 58-30 game, expect tries again on Thursday night.
Leg 3 - Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow to Score
Tabuai-Fidow had a rare tryless game last week against the Broncos, but don’t expect that to happen two weeks in a row.
The Dolphins fullback had scored in his previous five appearances, including a hat-trick to finish the 2025 regular season, and he has four tries against Manly in his career.
With the inexperienced Clayton Faulalo filling in on the wing for Manly, Tabuai-Fidow should get his chances.
Same Game Multi
Sea Eagles +9.5 / Both Teams Over 16.5 / Tabuai-Fidow to Score = $4.40
Value Bet - Isaiya Katoa to Score ($5.50)
Dolphins’ playmaker Katoa hasn’t fired as much as expected so far in 2026, but this could well be the game that changes.
Manly have already shown they’re vulnerable up the middle. With their coaching change, they’re likely to be even less organised on defence than usual.
Katoa’s snipes around the ruck should pay off – these are the best possible conditions for him to score.
