The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles boast an exciting squad after some good off-season business that sees them look to push for a top eight spot after missing knockout football for two years in a row.
Season Preview
Despite ending the season on a high with resounding wins at the Bulldogs and when hosting Wests Tigers, Manly slumped to a 12th place finish in 2023 and regressed from their 11th place berth of 2022.
This year they went for the jugular in the off-season and landed Luke Brooks, who escapes a turbulent Wests Tigers environment and dour performances for which he was often blamed. A fresh start in a somewhat improved set up than the 17th placed Tigers, and pairing up with the Queensland Maroons captain in the halves, should stoke the fire and Manly will look to reap the rewards.
Tommy Talau also makes the switch from the Tigers alongside Aitasi James, while Jaxson Paulo joins from the Roosters with Corey Waddell (Canterbury) and Bailey Hodgson (Newcastle) completing the additions.
There should be a renewed excitement in the Manly camp, with Anthony Seibold embarking on his second season as head coach; he has already somewhat made his mark for 2024 in the off-season with a net positive outcome on the off-field movements in the off-season.
There are very few, if any, notable ‘losses’ in the seven departures – of which Paramatta Eels’ Morgan Harper and Kelma Tuilagi top the bill, while the young talent Kaeo Weekes has switched to Canberra in search of a starter’s spot.
Best Signing
Embed from Getty ImagesLuke Brooks undoubtedly tops the signings at Brookvale and will bring a fresh energy as well as unlocking Josh Schuster as a ball-playing second row, formulating a complete back row with Haumole Olakau’atu’s line running and Jake Trbojevic’s relentless defensive efforts. He will be hungry and out to prove himself in another set up, which can only be a positive force in him achieving his best form.
Key Player
Embed from Getty ImagesTom Trbojevic had an interrupted pre-season in 2023 and ultimately ended his season injured again, with his fitness still being the biggest challenge in his career. This season he’s turned to ballet exercises in an attempt to keep injury-free – a ploy which has worked so far and we are set to see him back to his roaring best in 2024: a pivotal factor for the Sea Eagles’ success.
Player to Watch
Embed from Getty ImagesGordon Chan Kum Tong impressed on his two starts for Manly at the end of the 2023 season, with a goal on his debut and a try in the win over the Wests Tigers. He will be battling for the number 14 spot with Karl Lawton and will need to take his chances in the pre-season to land a big role. A Sea Eagles Pathways Academy product, the Samoa international has all the makings to land the number 14 job – offering creativity and more of a running game than Lawton (who is now listed as a second rower) – and will no doubt get his chance to shine on the back of an upgrade to a top 30 deal this season.
Number Crunching
Premiers: 8 (1972, 1973, 1976, 1978, 1987, 1996, 2008, 2011)
Minor Premierships: 9 (1971, 1972, 1973, 1976, 1983, 1987, 1995, 1996, 1997)
10 years win/loss record: 115 wins, 128 losses, 1 drawn (47.1%)
5 years win/loss record: 59 wins, 61 losses, 1 drawn (48.8%)
2023 win/loss record: 11 wins, 12 losses, 1 drawn (45.8%)
NRL Finals Appearances since 2014: 4
NRL Finals win/loss record since 2014: 2 wins, 6 losses (25%)
Biggest win since 2014: 66, vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs (66-0, 3/7/21, CommBank Stadium)
Biggest loss since 2014: 42, vs Canberra Raiders (6-48, 27/8/22, GIO Stadium), vs Sydney Roosters (4-46, 13/3/21, Sydney Cricket Ground
