End of Season Reviews: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

As the 2024 NRL season nears its conclusion, it’s time to look back on the teams that fell short of September and what they got right and wrong in their respective seasons.

In this edition, the Bulldogs and Sea Eagles are put under the microscope.

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles

Ladder: 7th
Record: 13-1-10 (113)

Won elimination final 24-22 v Bulldogs Lost semi final 40-16 v Roosters

Manly returned to finals footy for the first time since 2021 but it certainly wasn’t without its hurdles. Coach Anthony Seibold battled injuries, inconsistent performances and Origin duty but Manly were able to eventually find their groove late in the season and pinched a finals win in the process. Despite the many positives across the 2024 season, the 40-16 demolition at the hands of the Sydney Roosters in week two of the finals is indicative of where Manly sit in the NRL pecking order.

Highlight: Thrilling elimination finals win

Manly were soundly beaten in every major category against the Bulldogs in the elimination final but two moments of brilliance ensured they progressed to the second week of finals. Trailing by 10 points with 20 minutes remaining, Luke Brooks executed a perfect set play from the scrum to trim the margin back to four points. Two Manly heroes in Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic then combined to set up Tolu Koula’s stunning match winner to send Sea Eagles fans into pandemonium.

Honourable Mentions: Las Vegas season opener win v Rabbitohs, Round 12 win v Storm, Round 18 win v Cowboys

Lowlight: Leichhardt Oval Horrorshow

Manly had just begun to find their best form of the year and were eyeing off a home final in week one of the finals when they traveled to Leichhardt Oval to take on the bottom placed Wests Tigers. The match was hyped well ahead of time as it was Luke Brooks’ first time against his former side and back at the iconic venue. Manly quickly led 16-0 but turned in one of the most ill-disciplined performances of any side this year.

Ethan Bullemore, Haumole Olakau’atu and Corey Waddell were all sent to the sin bin in the space of 29 minutes which allowed the Tigers to run away with a famous victory. The Sea Eagles watched on as their home final dreams blew up in spectacular fashion.

Honourable Mentions: Round 9 loss v Canberra, Tom Trbojevic’s injury troubles

Best Player: Haumole Olakau’atu

The 25-year-old has been on the cusp of greatness for a few seasons but Olakau’atu was able to put it all together in season 2024. He averaged career high numbers in average running metres (128), tackle efficiency (91.62%) and line breaks (11). His strong form earnt him State of Origin selection for NSW which solidified Olakau’atu as one of the best second rowers in the competition.

His most impressive performance came in the elimination final where despite being outclassed in the first half by Viliame Kikau for the Bulldogs, Olakau’atu bounced back and was arguably Manly’s best to secure the famous win.

Honourable Mentions: Nathan Brown, Daly Cherry-Evans and Tolutau Koula

What they need for 2025: Earn a top four spot

Manly were three wins outside the top four and looking back at their schedule, they would be ruing plenty of missed opportunities. Losses to Parramatta, St George Illawarra, the Dolphins, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Raiders and Tigers ultimately cost Manly a double chance. The worst of those losses came against the Raiders where the home side let a 24-6 second half lead slip to eventually fall 26-24.

If Manly are to contend for a Premiership in future seasons, they simply must find a way to win games against lesser opposition.

Early 2025 prediction: 5th

Grade: B

Manly fans would be satisfied with how 2024 played out and winning a final is always a pass mark for any side. A few minor tweaks and potential personnel changes could see the Sea Eagles jump up the ladder but for now, they are a finals bound team without threatening for a Premiership.

Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs

Ladder: 6th
Record: 14-10 (96)

Lost elimination final 24-22 v Sea Eagles

The Bulldogs were the great unknown at the start of the season. After a disappointing 2023 campaign under rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo, the prolific Gus Gould engaged in a recruitment drive that had never been seen as the Dogs seemingly snatched up every utility player available on the market. After an indifferent start to the year, the Bulldogs caught fire and became THE story of the 2024 season.

A first finals berth in eight seasons allowed long suffering Bulldogs fans to dream but some Manly Magic at the death of the elimination final cut the Dogs’ season short. A strong year with plenty to build on for next season.

Highlight: Broncos bashing signals arrival of Ciraldo’s Bulldogs

The hype train surrounding the Bulldogs was building as they arrived at Suncorp Stadium for a Round 21 match against the Brisbane Broncos. What ensued was a comprehensive demolition of the 2023 Grand Finalists on their home deck as the Dogs ran in seven tries to three. Matt Burton gave the final insult to the home crowd with a last second field goal to secure the 41-16 win. Not only did the Bulldogs end their 9-year-losing streak at Suncorp Stadium but it was their most complete performance under Cameron Ciraldo at the time.

Honourable Mentions: Round 23 win v Cowboys

Lowlight: The final three games

The Bulldogs were on the cusp of the top four when they hosted Manly in the biggest Friday 6pm game the NRL had ever seen since the fixture was introduced. Ciralod’s men failed to match the intensity of their opponents and lost 34-22 which extinguished their top four hopes. The loss was a reality check for the Bulldogs but alarm bells started ringing when they were thrashed by the Cowboys 44-6 a week later.

The Bulldogs managed to pick up the pieces in the elimination final but were ultimately knocked out despite being the better side for the majority of the contest.

Honourable Mentions: Josh Addo-Carr off field drama

Best Player: Reed Mahoney

Take your pick but Reed Mahoney stood up for the Bulldogs in just his second season at the club. Mahoney lifted his defensive output considerably with 1,240 tackles on the year at 91.58% efficiency. He had a 70-tackle effort against the Warriors in Round 18 and eclipsed 50 tackles on 11 occasions. Above all else, Mahoney enhanced his reputation as a leader of the club and is now a vital cog in the Bulldogs’ resurgence.

Honourable Mentions: Stephen Crichton, Matt Burton, Viliame Kikau, Jacob Kiraz, Connor Tracey and Kurt Mann

What they need for 2025: Don’t crumble under expectation

The Bulldogs will enter the 2025 season as the hunted as opposed to the hunters. The excitement around Belmore is palpable but the Bulldogs must remind themselves that nothing has been achieved and teams will go to task over the off season on how to defeat the Dogs.

Early 2025 prediction: 4th

Grade: A-

The Bulldogs made finals for the first time since 2016 which should be celebrated. It would’ve been an unbelievable season if they had managed to win in the first week of finals but given what they achieved this season, 2024 can be considered a success. Cam Ciraldo should also be honoured with Dally M Coach of the Year honours.