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The Dolphins go on the attack and almost score after a Isaiya Katoa kick causes a bit of mayhem out wide, but Clayton Faulalo does well to tackle Ray Stone over the sideline a few metres short of the try line.

But there was a Jason Saab high tackle in the lead-up, and the Dolphins opt to get some points on the board at last with a Jamayne Isaako penalty goal.

Dolphins 2, Sea Egles 0 after 26 minutes

The Dolphins have given away three penalties and five errors within the first 20 minutes of this game, with a disastrous completion rate of just 57% so far, but this version of the Sea Eagles is not the free-flowing attacking side we saw when Kieran Foran first took the reins and they are struggling to make their opponents pay.

Of course, the Dolphins are always capable of piling on points quickly – at this point against Brisbane last week they trailed 24-0, before putting on a show to win 40-32. It wouldn’t be a surprise if they assert their dominance soon.

Sea Eagles 0, Dolphins 0 after 23 minutes

The Dolphins cop a couple of six-agains – the second on the last tackle of the set, for being within the 10 metres – but Manly five-eighth Joey Walsh doesn’t hear it as he puts a grubber into the in-goal. The ball goes dead, so the referee blows a penalty to Manly in lieu of the set restart.

It’s another great chance for the hosts, but play peters out when Tolutau Koula draws a few defenders on the left edge but directs his pass beyond Lehi Hopoate and over the sideline. The ball deflected off Dolphin Jamayne Isaako but the referee rules it a forward pass, which the bunker can’t rule on so the call stands.

Manly have had a few good early chances but the Dolphins haven’t really got out of second gear yet, making errors just as they get into attacking position. They make another one now as a right-side shift ends with Isaako being tackled over the sideline near halfway.

Sea Eagles 0, Dolphins 0 after 15 minutes

Talented young Sea Eagles five-eighth Joey Walsh takes on the Dolphins defensive line, gets his nose through the line and pops an offload for Corey Waddell, but the pass goes forward.

The Dolphins get down the other end and put up a bomb that is touched by Walsh and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – the referee calls it a Dolphins knock on, they use their captain’s challenge in a bid to get it overrulled, and the bunker sides with the on-field ref.

Maybe a bit of a tough call, that one – Tabuai-Fidow was definitely attempting to bat the ball backwards towards his own team – but the visitors don’t have a challenge up their sleeves for the rest of this game. Hopefully they don’t cop any howlers from the officials.

Sea Eagles 0, Dolphins 0 after nine minutes

The Sea Eagles get just past their own 40-metre line with their first set of the contest, and the Dolphins work their way into Manly’s half in their first, sending up a bomb that is defused comfortably by Lehi Hopoate.

The Sea Eagles are down on troops these days, with Tom Trbojevic, Taniela Paseka, Luke Brooks, Siosiua Taukeiaho and Ben Trbojevic among their injured list, while the Dolphins are near full strength with Kurt Donoghoe their main absentee.

Manly get an early win with Jason Saab competing for an attacking bomb and forcing an error from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, meaning the hosts get a scrum inside the Dolphins’ 20 metres.

Sea Eagles 0, Dolphins 0 after five minutes

The Sea Eagles and Dolphins are out on 4 Pines Park for the Indigenous Round welcome to country, featuring Manly greats Mal Cochrane and Cliff Lyons. The Sea Eagles’ Indigenous jerseys look great.

And now we’re ready for kick-off. Fingers crossed the Sea Eagles can get back to their early season form against one of the premiership dark horses. They probably need a win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

The Dolphins kick things off tonight.

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.

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