Josh Mercer reviews the 2023 Season of the Manly-Warringah where they finished 12th on the ladder.
Club Stats
Wins: 11
Losses: 12
Draws: 1
Most Tries: 14, Jason Saab
Most Points: 174, Reuben Garrick
Roy Bull Medal Player of the Year: Daley Cherry-Evans
Strong Season Start Ends Without Finals Appearance
The Sea Eagles started the season well under new coach Anthony Seibold, winning the hastily arranged pre-season challenge and winning their opening two game including one over the 2022 grand finalists Parramatta Eels. As the season unfolded, injuries didn’t help them on their quest to play finals football.
Losing Tom Trbojevic was a big blow, but they still had the players to get them to the top eight. However, the Sea Eagles’ most significant problem was consistency; they couldn’t win more than two games in a row, as well as losing games they should have won.
Captain Daly Cherry-Evans was again at his best this season as he led from the front and tried to get his side into the finals. He was rewarded for his form by winning the Sea Eagles’ best and fairest.
Haumole Olakau’atu proved that he is one of the premier second rowers in the NRL with the form he displayed. In 2024 he can possibly go further and play rep football.
Reuben Garrick was also a bright spot at the back this year, stepping into Turbo’s shoes and filling them admirably. Garrick was once again the Sea Eagles’ leading point-scorer, with 174 points through 12 tries and 63 goals.
The Sea Eagles will have some new faces heading to Brookvale Oval in 2024, with former Tigers players Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau, Jaxson Paulo, and Aitasi James.
No doubt all eyes will be on Brooks as he plays for a different side for the first time in his NRL career. He will bring something new to the Eagles and will want to strike up a good combination with Cherry-Evans.
There will be plenty of competition for spots in the backline, with Talau and Paulo coming into the club and trying to unseat players such as Brad Paker and Jason Saab in the pre-season.
Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi have left the Northern Beaches and signed with the Eels, while Samuela Fainu moves to the Tigers.
It was only 2021 when the Sea Eagles played finals football. After the last two seasons, Seibold’s mission will be to get them to the finals; anything else will not satisfy the Manly faithful.
Key Player Stats
Most Try Assists: 18, Daly Cherry-Evans
Most Line-breaks: 22, Jason Saab
Most Run Metres: 3,144, Reuben Garrick
Most Post Contact Metres: 1,290, Haumole Olakau’atu
Most Tackles: 858, Lachlan Croker
Most Errors: 29, Jason Saab
