2025

[Damien2812]

Brown has plenty of ticker but struggles against quality packs and just concedes too many unnecessary penalties , especially at crucial times and could only rate him a bench option.
Can "t see any other option but 9 for Froggy and would seem likely some more attention to Simpkin going forward .
Froggy actually is not on the slow side but apart from some gallant defence , does have his limitations

Croker could work at lock like Cameron McInnis.

 

[manly al]

Croker could work at lock like Cameron McInnis.

Guess that anything is worth considering in the current situation but would think this one on the unlikely side .
No doubt would really try and put in with defence but attacking wise , probably even less effective then Jake .
Then that type of link role which has to blend in with the overall attack and playing previously in a pivot role would probably not amount to much in his instance converting there
Even had some initial hopes that Shu could have made a go of it there .
Seibs has already tried a few options there apart from Jake and Brown and still an unfulfilled option there going forward I M H O

 

[jbb/james]

Lodge, matterson, condon are all potential spots that could open up

Is Sips currently Lodge insurance and surplus possibly also.

Still time, possibility of quite a few trades

But not seeing much coin or sizeable signings

Need to have some better options in the dev squad for after rd 11.

The volkman rumour and Jake arthur rumblings muddy the squad as maybe frog becomes back up half. He is slow but i reckon he would dig into the line and has great 14 potential . Brown has ball play so that helps bench variety a bit

As for footy, we have too many players that apply the handbrake too often as the hit the line, costing them a chance of winning the play the ball
Paseka 50/50
Aioli a tad sidways
Sips
Jakey
Dce

Oku runs hard but he and chez just cant click and get him running onto the ball

 

[Dion Johnson]

With the current roster for 2025 how does the team become better to compete with the top four clubs,

Fullbacks
Turbo and Hoppa (surely is upgraded, currently a development player)

Three Quarters
Saab, Garrick, Koula, Talau, Faulalo, Schoupp, Paulo,.

Halves
DCE, Brooks, Walsh, Arthur

Middles
Brown, Jake, Alioia, Tent, Sipley, Waddell, Matterson, James, Tevega, Bully

Edge Forwards
Guaca, Ben T, Condon

Hookers
Croker, Gordon, Simpkin

Development Deals
Hoppa (who surely gets upgraded) Laifai,

If Hoppa is upgraded that’s 29 players signed already, as most have been saying since Schuster got the boot we need an edge forward, there are players that can cover that role though you want a player that plays there.

I didn’t like the Jazz Tevega signing as Matterson, Brown, Jake, Navale are similar type bodies.

Arthur is rumoured to be on the way to the knights, Volkman, Willett and Chee-Kam join Navale on supplement deals, Lodge and Ray Ray remain unsigned.

There is room for four more development players possibly five with Hoppa being upgraded.

Not sure who is being shopped though for me I would look at Paulo, Garrick and Alioia, to improve the squad an edge signing is needed and an enforcer in the front row to compliment Tent.

Some younger players from Flegg who have a chance for a development deal or Supplement contract would be, Kylan Mafoa, Devante Mihinui, Oliver Lawry, Broden Konz, Max Hayley, Daniel O’Donnell, and Nicholas Lenaz.

Any thoughts or additions I have missed?

 

[Frogz]

We wouldn't be renewing Michael Ennis as an assistant coach, I hope.

 

[pepsiseaeagle]

SEIBOLD’S SELECTION HEADACHES

Manly coach Anthony Seibold is facing some crucial selection calls over the summer.

Seibold’s experiment of shifting Reuben Garrick from left wing into right centre in 2024 failed spectacularly at the worst possible time for the Sea Eagles.

Garrick was terrorised by the Roosters’ left edge and the 27-year-old missed his defensive assignment on Saturday night.

Garrick agreed to extend long term with an eye to make a shift to fullback or centre to be closer to the action. But given his defensive deficiencies, Seibold will have to reconsider a shift back onto the wing. The move would open up the opportunity for Tommy Talau to partner Tolu Koula in the centres next season.

The coach also has decisions to make in the backrow. Haumole Olakau’atu is a one man wrecking ball on the right edge but Seibold needs a solution on the left side of the field. Ethan Bullemor deserves a spot in the starting forward pack.

Lachlan Croker has done a commendable job at hooker but the Sea Eagles need more creativity out of dummy-half and better distribution. Too many passes from dummy half hit the deck against the Roosters. Jake Simpkin should challenge Croker for the starting role over the summer.

Joe Walsh with Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: Manly Sea Eagles

While veteran Daly Cherry-Evans could play beyond 2025, Seibold needs a succession plan beyond the 35-year-old.

That plan will be put in motion in the pre-season after the club secured rising playmaker Joey Walsh, who will join the top-30 in 2025 on a three-year deal.

Walsh is a product of Brookvale’s St Augustine’s College but has been in the Roosters and NSW Waratahs systems.

Walsh is considered one of the best playmaking prospects in either code, and captained the under-18s Australian rugby side last year.

He was also named alongside the likes of Blaize Talagi, Jesse McLean and Chevy Stewart in the NSW Blues junior squad in 2022.

The club initially had designs for Jamie Humphreys to step-in as a long term replacement in the halves but the 22-year-old only had limited opportunities and is South Sydney bound in 2025.

More than fair observation.

01. Tom Trbojevic
02. Jason Saab
03. Toula Koula
04. Tommy Talau - Not far off a rep call
05. Reuben Garrick
06. Luke Brooks
07. Daly Cherry-Evans
08. Taniela Paseka
09. Jake Simpkin
10. Matt Lodge - When fit, aggressive
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ethan Bullemor
13. Ben Trbojevic
14. Lehi Hopoate
15. Jake Trbojevic
16. Nathan Brown
17. Josh Aloai
18. Jake Arthur

Faulalo, Paulo, Schoupp, Matterson, Walsh, Croker, Navale, Tevaga, Condon, Waddell, Sipley, Tong, James

Possible options, pending final squad numbers: Tesi Niu, Ronald Volkman, Jack Williams, Hazelton

 

[Ned]

GCKT has been a big disappointment for me, from what I saw we went backwards every time he has brought on, would cut.

 

[globaleagle]

We wouldn't be renewing Michael Ennis as an assistant coach, I hope.

Oh I dunno, look how much he's improved Croker's attacking game...
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[sheridanstand78]

There are some obvious weaknesses in our team!

We do not have an incisive 9. the dummy half service is not always crisp, we do not dominate the dummy half and ruck roles and for some time and I keep saying that we need a specialist 9 to do this role.

Our resilience has to improve, once the ball is turned over we concede penalties and six again's which lead to inevitable tries.

You cannot concede an average 23 points a game and hope to be a top 4 side. This has to improve in a big way. Our right side defence is all at sea far too often, this is a major concern and needs immediate attention.

We need to review who will play lock forward, Jake is a warrior and gives it all but he is also slower now and gives us penalties as a result.

The team is pretty good overall!

 

[Eagle 1]

GCKT has been a big disappointment for me, from what I saw we went backwards every time he has brought on, would cut.

Agree, whenever he passes the ball from dummy half, I break out in a cold sweat, it's either to slow to high or to telegraphed. Just got his usual running game that hookers should have anyway. Good back up for our back up I guess.

 

[manly al]

Would have to think that it would be in Simpkin's best interests [ and no doubt will be encouraged } to have a big off season .
Sure that Gordy will have a decent crack as well but fairly critical requirement to have some good level of creatively and crispness at 9 in the modern [ and pace of the ] game and Simpkin still looks like having the best credentials there if a couple of other aspects of his game can pick up a bit .
Can only have admiration for Froggy 's efforts and commitment but does seem to need a bit more there from a 9 role particularly against the better drilled and talented sides .
Froggy for a possible bench role , well an option but a different proposition there then say Lawton previously and the Lehi situation to come to terms with as well of course .
Addressed the 6 problem area with Brooks , still the 13 and 9 roles and maybe one middle and edge role to rectify but Burbo at this stage anyway , a good claim to hold down a start up edge position

 

[Bloke on the hill]

Turbo don't do full seasons, bro! Word.

View attachment 28305

This may be Saabs coach? - wish he quit focusing on that stuff & start focusing on his defence.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

This may be Saabs coach? - wish he quit focusing on that stuff & start focusing on his defence.

Saab. He is an uncoordinated piece of work, isn’t he?

 

[jbb/james]

Does anything think if we played a relentless grind style footy and used our flair to strike late in the game it might make us a more formidable or consistent side.

When we do make finals We turn up to having only trained for warm up matches. Some players seem bored when we play set for set footy

Seibs, des, barrett have all in some way tried to use the weapons of the senior players at there disposal to play off the cuff style footy to suit there strengths . Its failed dismally even though this year i thought we possibly overachieved

coach turnover has given that approach opportunity to repeat itself

They repeat the same mistakes each year and point the finger in a different direction

 

[Under the Sticks]

We wouldn't be renewing Michael Ennis as an assistant coach, I hope.

If as spine coaching advisor he supported Froggy at hooker then no!

Otherwise the spine performed as well as injury let them with no one specific in mind here of course.

 

[madmax]

With the current roster for 2025 how does the team become better to compete with the top four clubs,

Fullbacks
Turbo and Hoppa (surely is upgraded, currently a development player)

Three Quarters
Saab, Garrick, Koula, Talau, Faulalo, Schoupp, Paulo,.

Halves
DCE, Brooks, Walsh, Arthur

Middles
Brown, Jake, Alioia, Tent, Sipley, Waddell, Matterson, James, Tevega, Bully

Edge Forwards
Guaca, Ben T, Condon

Hookers
Croker, Gordon, Simpkin

Development Deals
Hoppa (who surely gets upgraded) Laifai,

If Hoppa is upgraded that’s 29 players signed already, as most have been saying since Schuster got the boot we need an edge forward, there are players that can cover that role though you want a player that plays there.

I didn’t like the Jazz Tevega signing as Matterson, Brown, Jake, Navale are similar type bodies.

Arthur is rumoured to be on the way to the knights, Volkman, Willett and Chee-Kam join Navale on supplement deals, Lodge and Ray Ray remain unsigned.

There is room for four more development players possibly five with Hoppa being upgraded.

Not sure who is being shopped though for me I would look at Paulo, Garrick and Alioia, to improve the squad an edge signing is needed and an enforcer in the front row to compliment Tent.

Some younger players from Flegg who have a chance for a development deal or Supplement contract would be, Kylan Mafoa, Devante Mihinui, Oliver Lawry, Broden Konz, Max Hayley, Daniel O’Donnell, and Nicholas Lenaz.

Any thoughts or additions I have missed?

Get rid of Garrick & Aloiai……ok lolololol.

 

[CRPSI eagle]

Unpopular opinion, Garrick was 100% concussed last night, and prior to that I thought he was playing well for the backend of the season. He is a centre in my eyes. DCE causes half of his problems.

If I had to name a lineup for next year, I'd name this, with a few changing variables.

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Talau / Hopoate if he bulks up
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Croker - on his last chances in my eyes
10. Aloiai, but at 100% and not busted like he's been lately. Alternatively RCG, if we can get him. Bye Lodge.
11. Olakau'atu
12. Ben - if he bulks up. He needs speed or power. He hasn't got either at the moment. If he can't improve, we need to sign someone.
13. Jake - limited minutes. Should be playing 60 or less.

The bench is where I probably differ from most:
14. Simpkin - non-negotiable
15. Bullemor
16. Navale
17. Brown / Waddell, Brown ended the season poorly.

Sipley is not mobile enough. Aloiai not at 100% is not mobile enough. I'm pretty sure Tevaga is not mobile enough.

The team needs to be changed for the opposition. Against smaller packs, larger middles. Against bigger packs, more mobile middles, to help our defence. We smashed the Dragons with a smaller pack. We dominated the Dogs with larger middles, but not many packs are like the Dogs.

I'd take scrambling defence over run metres any day. With Simpkin, the forwards improve off his service. Simpkin coming on with the rest of that bench would be an injection that would make up for the loss of Paseka.

Later in the season I'd love to see Laiafi get an opportunity.

P.S. I think Bullemor might bulk up more in the off-season. Would help his impact.

It’s the same side that just got smashed. If nothing changes nothing will change.
I agree, but only in my eyes Garrick has been concussed from round one.

 

[Bearfax]

I see Garrick is being criticised again. But based on what? The stats on the three Centre/wings of Talau, Koula and Garrick are very similar. Tackle efficiency Koula 79.8%, Garrick 76.4%, Talau 75.7%.. Line Breaks Talau 17, Garrick 12, Koula 7. Yardage per match average Talau 144, Koula 146, Grciisk 123. Tacklle breaks Talau 53, Garrick 48, Koula 45. Of course Talau playing mainly on the wing skews his yardage and try scoring rate (Talau 18 tries, Garrick 10, Koula 7). However, I don't see that Garrick has been any better or worse than the other two. Add to that he's Manly's goal kicker.

Now no doubt some will argue that Garrick's lateral defense is poorer, or his setting up of his wing man is not up to it. Yet he has this year 8 try assists, to Koula 5 and Talau 7. Perception is not an accurate means of determining performance, because there is always a tendency for bias and seeing what supports your belief. For mine, each of these players are top tier and with Hopoate and Saab, the three quarter line in my opinion is one of the best in the game.

In my opinion, and based on defensive stats, Manly's primary problem is not one player in particular but rather an overall structural issue and commitment to defense. The side has an excellent attacking quality but what let Manly down time and again this year was defense, and that was across the board. This a a coaching issue and I just hope Seibold recognises it and addresses it over the off season

 

[madmax]

I see Garrick is being criticised again. But based on what? The stats on the three Centre/wings of Talau, Koula and Garrick are very similar. Tackle efficiency Koula 79.8%, Garrick 76.4%, Talau 75.7%.. Line Breaks Talau 17, Garrick 12, Koula 7. Yardage per match average Talau 144, Koula 146, Grciisk 123. Tacklle breaks Talau 53, Garrick 48, Koula 45. Of course Talau playing mainly on the wing skews his yardage and try scoring rate (Talau 18 tries, Garrick 10, Koula 7). However, I don't see that Garrick has been any better or worse than the other two. Add to that he's Manly's goal kicker.

Now no doubt some will argue that Garrick's lateral defense is poorer, or his setting up of his wing man is not up to it. Yet he has this year 8 try assists, to Koula 5 and Talau 7. Perception is not an accurate means of determining performance, because there is always a tendency for bias and seeing what supports your belief. For mine, each of these players are top tier and with Hopoate and Saab, the three quarter line in my opinion is one of the best in the game.

In my opinion, and based on defensive stats, Manly's primary problem is not one player in particular but rather an overall structural issue and commitment to defense. The side has an excellent attacking quality but what let Manly down time and again this year was defense, and that was across the board. This a a coaching issue and I just hope Seibold recognises it and addresses it over the off season

Agree 100% with your post mate. Yes Garrick has had a few poor games, however which Manly player didn’t? Some of his defense has been great, especially in the air. His goal kicking is on par with best. His hit ups have become better. The problem on here is posters have their favourites & can’t accept real facts. The bagging of Koula by one particular poster boils my blood & has become boring as has the Garrick & Aloiai bagging. Everyone is entitled to an opinion but when it gets personal & the name calling starts then some of the ‘everyone’ can fu<k right off & support another team. Anyway I’m a Manly man thru the good & bad.

 

[davohan123]

Sea Eagles to play 12 home games at 4 Pines Park in 2025

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles are pleased to announce that all 12 home games in 2025 will be played at their spiritual ground following the tremendous support seen at 4 Pines Park, Brookvale, this season.

www.seaeagles.com.au