2005 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles season

The 2005 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles season was the 59th in the club's history. Coached by Des Hasler and captained by Michael Monaghan, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2005 Telstra Premiership, finishing 8th (out of 15), just reaching the finals series. The Sea Eagles were then knocked out in their first play-off match by minor premiers, the Parramatta Eels.

Manly-Warringah made an unexpected bright start to the 2005 season, at one stage leading the competition outright after round seven. However their season was marred early by the dismissal of John Hopoate who was given a 17-match ban for striking Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks forward Keith Galloway in the round two match. Steve Matai made his first grade debut in that match, a late replacement after John Hopoate was suspended, then sacked by the club. Furthermore, the season overall was dominated by the team's fear of playing matches at night, with most of their defeats occurring under lights. This was pointed out by the Channel Nine commentators prior to its round eight, Friday night match against the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium (which was in fact Manly's first Friday night match in six years) which the Sea Eagles indeed lost by a scoreline of 38–12.

Controversial physiologist, Steve Dank was working with the Sea Eagles this season.[1] Manly's Ben Kennedy, Steve Menzies and Anthony Watmough were selected to play in the 2005 State of Origin series for New South Wales.

This season also marked the beginning of the Sea Eagles' rivalry with the Melbourne Storm. In round three, both teams had won their opening two matches leading into an early-season top-of-the-table match which Manly won 25–18. Although Manly's time at the top of the ladder was short-lived, it proved that Manly could compete with the best sides in the competition.

The Sea Eagles suffered a late-season form slump with injuries plaguing the club, however wins over the Broncos in round 22 and the Raiders in the final round ensured their first finals appearance since 1998. They were knocked out in the first round of the playoffs following 46–22 loss to the minor premiers Parramatta.

The club's leading try scorer was Brett Stewart with 16. Their leading point scorer was Michael Witt with 140.

Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Parramatta Eels 2416082704456+24836
2 St George Illawarra Dragons 2416082655510+14536
3 Brisbane Broncos 2415092597484+11334
4 Wests Tigers 24140102676575+10132
5 North Queensland Cowboys 24140102639563+7632
6 Melbourne Storm 24130112640462+17830
7 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24120122550564-1428
8 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 24120122554632-7828
9 Sydney Roosters 24110132488487+126
10 Penrith Panthers 24110132554554=026
11 New Zealand Warriors 24100142515528-1324
12 Bulldogs 2491142472670-19823
13 South Sydney Rabbitohs 2491142482700-21823
14 Canberra Raiders 2490152465606-14122
15 Newcastle Knights 2480162467667-20020

References
  1. Marshallsea, Trevor (27 July 2005). "The saps Manly are pinning their hopes on". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 20 February 2014.
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