Manly in Crisis (a mega thread)
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JenEagle
Bencher
Yeah I read that as well. There has been six CEO’s in the last six years or so and the previous CFO and CEO left in the same week quite recently.
Yep. That’s Scotty Stability right there!
Mate come on. You're as glued on as the rest of us. Deadset they could sign up the devil himself and I'd be fine with it so long as we played finals.
Yeah think they're constantly picking splinters out of their arse but what else could they say. You work for an organisation, you support the bosses or piss off.
Jerry1
First Grader
Jeez the media are reading whats on here & taking it seriously.
Manly is facing one of the most crucial weeks in its history as senior officials attempt to unite a club that is being ripped apart by factional bickering and disagreements over the Sea Eagles’ strategic direction.
Sea Eagles chair Scott Penn and new chief executive Tony Mestrov are aware of the fractures, which centre around coach Des Hasler and members of the famous Fulton family, whose father Bob was a club icon and one of the most influential people in the code’s history.
Penn said he was also aware that there were parties outside the club “gunning for Hasler”, who has one year left on his deal.
The turmoil created by the pride jersey fiasco has exposed cracks throughout the Sea Eagles, leaving Mestrov with the complex task of uniting the club.
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A News Corp investigation has uncovered the depth of issues, including:
*Some members of the Fulton family harbour concerns with Hasler’s strategic direction and use of emerging stars.
*A list of coaching candidates featuring names such as Billy Slater and Shane Flanagan is being drawn up in case Hasler leaves.
*The Trbojevic brothers are deeply troubled by the infighting and could consider walking out on the club.
*A divide in the player ranks has led to a push to replace captain Daly Cherry-Evans with Jake Trbojevic.
*Rising star Josh Schuster has become central to the tug of war over the club’s direction, with the man touted as a future captain having considered asking for a release.
Factional infighting is threatening to tear the Sea Eagles apart.
The damning footage appears to show a frustrated Taupau being cut-out of the play on purpose by his teammates in attack.
He throws his hands in the air after repeatedly being used as a decoy.
Taupau played his last game for Manly in the loss to Canterbury on Friday night, having been told that the club did not have the salary cap room to keep him.
Manly officials insist the group is still united but results and performances would suggest otherwise.
It is understood that some players are concerned that others are receiving preferential treatment and not taking accountability for their own performances.
A senior player tried to shift the blame of a poor defensive read which led to a try to junior player in a recent video session. That was met with eye roles from his teammates who have now become accustomed to this.
It is easy to blame the recent pride jersey fiasco, when Aloiai, Saab, Olakau’atu, Schuster, Koula, Christian Tuipulotu, and Toafofoa Sipley boycotted the must-win round 20 match against the Sydney Roosters.
“There has been a bit of friction and it all came to a head with the inclusive jersey,” Penn said.
“That wasn’t the sole reason. I think the reality is that there has been a lot of soul searching since but then we have lost a lot of other players.
“We had a number of injuries and just haven’t played well the last seven or eight weeks. Yes, we certainly have had a disappointing end of the season and yes, we need to make some changes.
Marty Taupau reacted to the TikToks.
“But there doesn’t need to be wholesale changes. The board has been incredibly stable for the last five or six years. There are no issues at all.
“There is no issue at management level because Tony is in and we have a new CFO and a new chief commercial person about to come on board. Management is incredibly stable.
“The centre of excellence is great, we are all in the one place, we have a lot of kids coming through the system, we have seven or eight players who debuted this year.
“At least we are blooding the young players. We have to make sure we have the systems in apace to support them.”
The Sea Eagles’ pride jersey was a key turning point for their season, after seven players stood down from the must-win Round 20 game. Picture: Getty Images.
FULTON-HASLER FAULT LINE
Scott Fulton, as a key figure in club recruitment, has been responsible for mining the Western Sydney nursery that has produced the likes of Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolutau Koula.
But the club is in the midst of scrapping Blacktown as a direct feeder club and moving their NSW Cup side back under the Manly umbrella.
Scott’s sister Kristie is the club’s pathways manager while Brett Fulton is the pathway academy coach. Their DNA runs through Manly and the Fulton family count the likes of former media manager Peter Peters and radio icon Ray Hadley among their allies.
Frustrations between the factions at Manly were highlighted after a senior player was given a dressing down after the player was highly critical of teammates who stood down during the pride jersey crisis in July, allegedly by a member of the Fulton family.
Mestrov has a clear mandate to make changes. Hasler still has strong support in some parts of the club, where the likes of Noel Cleal and Don Singe stand in his corner.
He also enjoys the backing of the Trbojevic brothers, while Cherry-Evans has publicly supported the coach. Other players want emerging coach Steve Hales to have more power.
It is understood the Fultons haven’t always agreed with Hasler’s plans in recent times, apparently having become frustrated by the use of players that have been scouted under their watch.
The Sea Eagles risk losing the Trbojevic brothers if things don’t improve. Picture: NRL Photos.
TRBOJEVIC TROUBLE
The Trbojevic brothers are the two most powerful figures at the club but they are known to be frustrated with the state of the Sea Eagles.
If things don’t change they could consider their futures at Manly, which would have devastating consequences.
The brothers are tied to long-term deals that make them among the highest earners in the game. Above all else, they love winning and love the Sea Eagles.
They have lived their entire lives on Sydney’s northern beaches and spurned the opportunity to leave in the past.
But sources close to the club confirmed the pair were at their wit’s end given how this season has unfolded, both on and off the field.
They also fear next season won’t be significantly better given Manly’s inability to dip into the player market, with Wests Tigers back-rower Kelma Tuilagi the only signing for 2023.
They are said to be tired of the lack of unity and coherent direction, which has become a way of life at Manly.
There is a concern among some senior figures in the playing ranks that some within the club are more interested in pushing their own cause, rather than working together to ensure the club can contend for premierships.
The Trbojevics have made it known that they have concerns with some of the personnel decisions that have been made this season.
The Trbojevic brothers are unhappy with the departure of Kieran Foran. Picture: Getty Images.
Both are close to Kieran Foran and made no secret of their desire to see him retained. Instead, Foran will join the Gold Coast next season and the Sea Eagles have since used their salary cap to extend the contracts of Saab and Josh Aloiai, as well as Cherry-Evans.
Some at Manly think Jake Trbojevic should be the captain of the side, if not on his own then in tandem with Cherry-Evans.
While there have been rumours in recent months that the brothers and Cherry-Evans are at odds, News Corp has been told that is incorrect.
They are different personalities and aren’t particularly close off the field, but they respect each other and have a working relationship.
“I am certainly aware that (the Trbojevics) are winners and they want to win,” said Penn, who has flown back from the US to help deal with the club’s issues.
“What we have to do is put the structure in place that is going to give them the best opportunity to win premierships and that is what we want.
“We are all aligned on what outcome we want and what our expectations are. That is a perfectly reasonable expectation of theirs and that matches our expectation.
“If we can’t deliver that then we have to find out who can. It is up to us to find a solution.”
Some figures within the club want to see Jake Trbojevic takeover as skipper from Daly Cherry-Evans.
THE SCHUSTER DILEMMA
Schuster has become the face of the divide.
The 21-year-old has made no secret in private of his desire to play five-eighth but his path has been blocked by one of Hasler’s strongest supporters in Foran.
Hasler saw the 32-year-old Foran as his best chance to win now and give himself some job security - he has clauses in his contract that extended his deal depending on whether he finished in the top eight and top six.
The Fultons believe they are working towards long-term and sustained success, and want to deliver on Bob’s promise that Schuster will one day captain the Sea Eagles.
Hasler’s stance caused angst within the club. Foran has never been a favourite of the Fulton family after he signed with Parramatta in 2015, souring his relationship with Bob.
Josh Schuster has become the face of the divide, after being denied his preferred position at five-eighth. Picture: Getty Images.
Sources said they viewed Foran as a handbrake to Schuster’s development. The alternative view was that Schuster needed to take some responsibility for his own actions.
He has struggled at times with his weight and fitness, although sources close to the talented youngster insist that can partly be explained by the indecisiveness over his future. He believed he had to put on weight to play in the back row.
The concern for Manly is that Schuster is believed to be considering his future at the club - it is understood he was weighing up asking for a release as he grew frustrated with his treatment.
GONE TO THE DOGS
Mestrov faces a delicate balancing act.
The no-nonsense front-rower played plenty of first grade alongside Hasler at Manly during the 1990s, and also lined up alongside Scott Fulton.
He was thrust into the chief executive’s role just a week after the pride jersey debacle.
Now he is tasked with trying to repair a fractured club.
Mestrov is no shrinking violet. He locked horns with ARL Commission chair and Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys at times in his previous guise as boss of Greyhounds NSW.
He has been in rugby league administration before as chief operating officer at the Gold Coast, where he was right hand man to the club’s former chief executive Graham Annesley.
He beat a hot field to the role - the club’s former commercial officer Luke Tucker and NRL head of integrity Jason King, who also played in the front row for Manly, were also in the final three.
Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov faces a massive challenge trying to heal the fractured Sea Eagles. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
It was a rigorous process that involved individual meetings with each member of the board. Mestrov then had further meetings with Penn and fellow owner Gary Wolman.
Mestrov told them that he had no factional alignment; his only loyalty was to the club.
He has been given clear instructions by the owners – do what it takes to win the club’s first premiership since 2011.
“That is his mandate,” Penn said.
“He is here to help us win premierships again. That is the bottom line. So we have to do whatever it takes to do that.
“We just have to sort it out. We know what we have to do. I don’t walk away from the fact we have some challenges we need to address and we are addressing them.
“We are aware, we are dealing with them and we have to find a solution.”
HASLER’S CONTRACT
The Penns are aware that there are people outside the Sea Eagles who have it in for Hasler. The two-time premiership winner will pass Bob Fulton as the longest-serving Sea Eagles coach in round three next season – as long as he survives the off season.
Hasler’s contract was loaded with performance clauses. A top-six finish this season would have triggered another year in 2024 but now he is off-contact at the end of next season.
Hasler’s camp have been pushing for an extension but Manly’s board have stood their ground. They want to see results before they contemplate extending his deal.
The club is also believed to be concerned by the lack of a succession plan.
Des Hasler will pass Bob Fulton as Manly’s longest serving coach if he survives the off-season. Picture: Getty Images.
News Corp understands that the Sea Eagles would consider a handful of coaches if they elect to part ways with Hasler, either now or at the end of next season.
The list is headed by Queensland coach Billy Slater, Sydney Roosters assistant Jason Ryles and former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan.
North Queensland assistant Dean Young is also likely to be on the list, although he has been earmarked as a potential Anthony Griffin replacement at the Dragons in 2024.
If Hasler agrees to the changes the club want to his coaching and support staff then he will be given a chance to start next season.
“We are still backing him,” Penn said.
“There are other people out there who have guns out for him. That is not internally. That is external - there are people out there who have it in for him.
“What we have to do is work together as a group to make sure that we hit the ground running in ‘23. This isn’t a witch-hunt.
“This is about saying what structure do we need in place to make sure ’23 and beyond is successful and that we are competing for premierships.
“We need to sit down and have an open conversation about our expectations and say this is what we expect. We have to come off the blocks strong.
“The contract situation is fine. It is like any employee. He will get (an extension) when we get the performance.
“Of course it (rugby league) is a different style of business but it is about man management and getting the best out of the team.
“It is as simple as that. There has to be give and take.”
A decade ago, Hasler walked out on the club he had just led to a premiership to join Canterbury because he had become frustrated with the bickering behind the scenes.
History now threatens to repeat unless Manly can find a way to solve the problems that have been laid bare this season.
Originally published as NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles’ factional divide tearing club apart
Manly is facing one of the most crucial weeks in its history as senior officials attempt to unite a club that is being ripped apart by factional bickering and disagreements over the Sea Eagles’ strategic direction.
Sea Eagles chair Scott Penn and new chief executive Tony Mestrov are aware of the fractures, which centre around coach Des Hasler and members of the famous Fulton family, whose father Bob was a club icon and one of the most influential people in the code’s history.
Penn said he was also aware that there were parties outside the club “gunning for Hasler”, who has one year left on his deal.
The turmoil created by the pride jersey fiasco has exposed cracks throughout the Sea Eagles, leaving Mestrov with the complex task of uniting the club.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
A News Corp investigation has uncovered the depth of issues, including:
*Some members of the Fulton family harbour concerns with Hasler’s strategic direction and use of emerging stars.
*A list of coaching candidates featuring names such as Billy Slater and Shane Flanagan is being drawn up in case Hasler leaves.
*The Trbojevic brothers are deeply troubled by the infighting and could consider walking out on the club.
*A divide in the player ranks has led to a push to replace captain Daly Cherry-Evans with Jake Trbojevic.
*Rising star Josh Schuster has become central to the tug of war over the club’s direction, with the man touted as a future captain having considered asking for a release.
Factional infighting is threatening to tear the Sea Eagles apart.
PLAYER UNREST
Vision has emerged of a frustrated Marty Taupau sharing a video on his own social media account following the club’s recent loss to the Sharks.The damning footage appears to show a frustrated Taupau being cut-out of the play on purpose by his teammates in attack.
He throws his hands in the air after repeatedly being used as a decoy.
Taupau played his last game for Manly in the loss to Canterbury on Friday night, having been told that the club did not have the salary cap room to keep him.
Manly officials insist the group is still united but results and performances would suggest otherwise.
It is understood that some players are concerned that others are receiving preferential treatment and not taking accountability for their own performances.
A senior player tried to shift the blame of a poor defensive read which led to a try to junior player in a recent video session. That was met with eye roles from his teammates who have now become accustomed to this.
It is easy to blame the recent pride jersey fiasco, when Aloiai, Saab, Olakau’atu, Schuster, Koula, Christian Tuipulotu, and Toafofoa Sipley boycotted the must-win round 20 match against the Sydney Roosters.
“There has been a bit of friction and it all came to a head with the inclusive jersey,” Penn said.
“That wasn’t the sole reason. I think the reality is that there has been a lot of soul searching since but then we have lost a lot of other players.
“We had a number of injuries and just haven’t played well the last seven or eight weeks. Yes, we certainly have had a disappointing end of the season and yes, we need to make some changes.
Marty Taupau reacted to the TikToks.
“But there doesn’t need to be wholesale changes. The board has been incredibly stable for the last five or six years. There are no issues at all.
“There is no issue at management level because Tony is in and we have a new CFO and a new chief commercial person about to come on board. Management is incredibly stable.
“The centre of excellence is great, we are all in the one place, we have a lot of kids coming through the system, we have seven or eight players who debuted this year.
“At least we are blooding the young players. We have to make sure we have the systems in apace to support them.”
The Sea Eagles’ pride jersey was a key turning point for their season, after seven players stood down from the must-win Round 20 game. Picture: Getty Images.
FULTON-HASLER FAULT LINE
Scott Fulton, as a key figure in club recruitment, has been responsible for mining the Western Sydney nursery that has produced the likes of Schuster, Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolutau Koula.
But the club is in the midst of scrapping Blacktown as a direct feeder club and moving their NSW Cup side back under the Manly umbrella.
Scott’s sister Kristie is the club’s pathways manager while Brett Fulton is the pathway academy coach. Their DNA runs through Manly and the Fulton family count the likes of former media manager Peter Peters and radio icon Ray Hadley among their allies.
Frustrations between the factions at Manly were highlighted after a senior player was given a dressing down after the player was highly critical of teammates who stood down during the pride jersey crisis in July, allegedly by a member of the Fulton family.
Mestrov has a clear mandate to make changes. Hasler still has strong support in some parts of the club, where the likes of Noel Cleal and Don Singe stand in his corner.
He also enjoys the backing of the Trbojevic brothers, while Cherry-Evans has publicly supported the coach. Other players want emerging coach Steve Hales to have more power.
It is understood the Fultons haven’t always agreed with Hasler’s plans in recent times, apparently having become frustrated by the use of players that have been scouted under their watch.
The Sea Eagles risk losing the Trbojevic brothers if things don’t improve. Picture: NRL Photos.
TRBOJEVIC TROUBLE
The Trbojevic brothers are the two most powerful figures at the club but they are known to be frustrated with the state of the Sea Eagles.
If things don’t change they could consider their futures at Manly, which would have devastating consequences.
The brothers are tied to long-term deals that make them among the highest earners in the game. Above all else, they love winning and love the Sea Eagles.
They have lived their entire lives on Sydney’s northern beaches and spurned the opportunity to leave in the past.
But sources close to the club confirmed the pair were at their wit’s end given how this season has unfolded, both on and off the field.
They also fear next season won’t be significantly better given Manly’s inability to dip into the player market, with Wests Tigers back-rower Kelma Tuilagi the only signing for 2023.
They are said to be tired of the lack of unity and coherent direction, which has become a way of life at Manly.
There is a concern among some senior figures in the playing ranks that some within the club are more interested in pushing their own cause, rather than working together to ensure the club can contend for premierships.
The Trbojevics have made it known that they have concerns with some of the personnel decisions that have been made this season.
The Trbojevic brothers are unhappy with the departure of Kieran Foran. Picture: Getty Images.
Both are close to Kieran Foran and made no secret of their desire to see him retained. Instead, Foran will join the Gold Coast next season and the Sea Eagles have since used their salary cap to extend the contracts of Saab and Josh Aloiai, as well as Cherry-Evans.
Some at Manly think Jake Trbojevic should be the captain of the side, if not on his own then in tandem with Cherry-Evans.
While there have been rumours in recent months that the brothers and Cherry-Evans are at odds, News Corp has been told that is incorrect.
They are different personalities and aren’t particularly close off the field, but they respect each other and have a working relationship.
“I am certainly aware that (the Trbojevics) are winners and they want to win,” said Penn, who has flown back from the US to help deal with the club’s issues.
“What we have to do is put the structure in place that is going to give them the best opportunity to win premierships and that is what we want.
“We are all aligned on what outcome we want and what our expectations are. That is a perfectly reasonable expectation of theirs and that matches our expectation.
“If we can’t deliver that then we have to find out who can. It is up to us to find a solution.”
Some figures within the club want to see Jake Trbojevic takeover as skipper from Daly Cherry-Evans.
THE SCHUSTER DILEMMA
Schuster has become the face of the divide.
The 21-year-old has made no secret in private of his desire to play five-eighth but his path has been blocked by one of Hasler’s strongest supporters in Foran.
Hasler saw the 32-year-old Foran as his best chance to win now and give himself some job security - he has clauses in his contract that extended his deal depending on whether he finished in the top eight and top six.
The Fultons believe they are working towards long-term and sustained success, and want to deliver on Bob’s promise that Schuster will one day captain the Sea Eagles.
Hasler’s stance caused angst within the club. Foran has never been a favourite of the Fulton family after he signed with Parramatta in 2015, souring his relationship with Bob.
Josh Schuster has become the face of the divide, after being denied his preferred position at five-eighth. Picture: Getty Images.
Sources said they viewed Foran as a handbrake to Schuster’s development. The alternative view was that Schuster needed to take some responsibility for his own actions.
He has struggled at times with his weight and fitness, although sources close to the talented youngster insist that can partly be explained by the indecisiveness over his future. He believed he had to put on weight to play in the back row.
The concern for Manly is that Schuster is believed to be considering his future at the club - it is understood he was weighing up asking for a release as he grew frustrated with his treatment.
GONE TO THE DOGS
Mestrov faces a delicate balancing act.
The no-nonsense front-rower played plenty of first grade alongside Hasler at Manly during the 1990s, and also lined up alongside Scott Fulton.
He was thrust into the chief executive’s role just a week after the pride jersey debacle.
Now he is tasked with trying to repair a fractured club.
Mestrov is no shrinking violet. He locked horns with ARL Commission chair and Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys at times in his previous guise as boss of Greyhounds NSW.
He has been in rugby league administration before as chief operating officer at the Gold Coast, where he was right hand man to the club’s former chief executive Graham Annesley.
He beat a hot field to the role - the club’s former commercial officer Luke Tucker and NRL head of integrity Jason King, who also played in the front row for Manly, were also in the final three.
Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov faces a massive challenge trying to heal the fractured Sea Eagles. Picture: Justin Lloyd.
It was a rigorous process that involved individual meetings with each member of the board. Mestrov then had further meetings with Penn and fellow owner Gary Wolman.
Mestrov told them that he had no factional alignment; his only loyalty was to the club.
He has been given clear instructions by the owners – do what it takes to win the club’s first premiership since 2011.
“That is his mandate,” Penn said.
“He is here to help us win premierships again. That is the bottom line. So we have to do whatever it takes to do that.
“We just have to sort it out. We know what we have to do. I don’t walk away from the fact we have some challenges we need to address and we are addressing them.
“We are aware, we are dealing with them and we have to find a solution.”
HASLER’S CONTRACT
The Penns are aware that there are people outside the Sea Eagles who have it in for Hasler. The two-time premiership winner will pass Bob Fulton as the longest-serving Sea Eagles coach in round three next season – as long as he survives the off season.
Hasler’s contract was loaded with performance clauses. A top-six finish this season would have triggered another year in 2024 but now he is off-contact at the end of next season.
Hasler’s camp have been pushing for an extension but Manly’s board have stood their ground. They want to see results before they contemplate extending his deal.
The club is also believed to be concerned by the lack of a succession plan.
Des Hasler will pass Bob Fulton as Manly’s longest serving coach if he survives the off-season. Picture: Getty Images.
News Corp understands that the Sea Eagles would consider a handful of coaches if they elect to part ways with Hasler, either now or at the end of next season.
The list is headed by Queensland coach Billy Slater, Sydney Roosters assistant Jason Ryles and former Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan.
North Queensland assistant Dean Young is also likely to be on the list, although he has been earmarked as a potential Anthony Griffin replacement at the Dragons in 2024.
If Hasler agrees to the changes the club want to his coaching and support staff then he will be given a chance to start next season.
“We are still backing him,” Penn said.
“There are other people out there who have guns out for him. That is not internally. That is external - there are people out there who have it in for him.
“What we have to do is work together as a group to make sure that we hit the ground running in ‘23. This isn’t a witch-hunt.
“This is about saying what structure do we need in place to make sure ’23 and beyond is successful and that we are competing for premierships.
“We need to sit down and have an open conversation about our expectations and say this is what we expect. We have to come off the blocks strong.
“The contract situation is fine. It is like any employee. He will get (an extension) when we get the performance.
“Of course it (rugby league) is a different style of business but it is about man management and getting the best out of the team.
“It is as simple as that. There has to be give and take.”
More Coverage
Timeline of disaster: How Manly’s season fell apartKent: Clubs playing dangerous game with battling coachesA decade ago, Hasler walked out on the club he had just led to a premiership to join Canterbury because he had become frustrated with the bickering behind the scenes.
History now threatens to repeat unless Manly can find a way to solve the problems that have been laid bare this season.
Originally published as NRL 2022: Manly Sea Eagles’ factional divide tearing club apart
Terry Zarsoff
First Grader
In the Penniverse, it’s otherwise known as Scobility.
So @mickqld we are signing Slater then?
Remember years ago someone would put a picture up on the forum, and you had a crack at what either party was thinking or saying? Y’all remember that? Well I thought this pic could be a good one to try.
Foz: Pasty motherfker, I can’t believe he got me to wear this.
SP: I can’t believe he’s wearing it. I am a marketing genius.
I should be a super hero…..yes! Scotty the Superhero….geez I’m good.
Foz: Pasty motherfker, I can’t believe he got me to wear this.
SP: I can’t believe he’s wearing it. I am a marketing genius.
I should be a super hero…..yes! Scotty the Superhero….geez I’m good.
Terry Zarsoff
First Grader
From the SMH:
www.smh.com.au
Manly superstar Trbojevic backs Hasler, denies feud with Cherry-Evans
Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic has thrown his powerful support behind embattled coach Des Hasler, calling for stability at a club that has endured endless upheaval over the past decade.
Trbojevic has also moved to silence speculation that he and brother Jake Trbojevic have fallen out with captain Daly Cherry-Evans as the senior players prepare to meet with club management in the coming days.
Factions inside the Sea Eagles are once again at loggerheads over the direction of the team, with a crisis meeting between Hasler and club powerbrokers scheduled for Thursday.
Hasler is reportedly considering quitting his job as Manly look set to force the coach into a raft of changes heading into his final contracted season next year. Hasler has a clause in his contract that would have guaranteed him the 2024 season. However, the Sea Eagles needed to finish inside the top six this season to trigger the deal.
News Corp has also reported that the Trbojevic brothers will consider their own futures at the club if Hasler is run out of town. While Tom insists he has no plans to leave the Sea Eagles, he made it abundantly clear who he wants at the helm.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat things because this has been a disappointing year for us,” Trbojevic told the Herald on Sunday.
The Trbojevic brothers, Tom and Jake, pictured with coach Des Hasler (far right) and then-club chief executive Stephen Humphreys (far left) in 2019.CREDIT:GETTY
“We wanted to play finals football and we’ve underachieved. But a lot of the stuff being said is being over-dramatised. I don’t have any plans of leaving because as far as I’m concerned, Des is still the coach. Des is the best person to get us out of the hole we have got ourselves into at the moment.
“I want him to be the coach next year and for many years after that, and I’m speaking on behalf of a lot of people in our club who feel the same. The club has been down this path many times now. Change isn’t always the answer. Stability is what is going to get us out of this.”
The strength of the relationship of the playing group has come under fire since the Pride jersey fiasco six weeks ago. While the players have held internal meetings to try and resolve any lingering issues, a seven-game losing streak has only added to the unhappiness at Manly.
Rumours of tension between the Trbojevic brothers and Cherry-Evans have been strongly refuted. Tom insists there are no personal issues with anyone at the club. The club’s three best players recently addressed the speculation.
Trbojevic also hosed down reports of a feud with Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS
“I think people assume in a football team that everyone is best mates,” Trbojevic said.
“There are so many different personalities and characters within a football club that it’s only natural for some people to be closer than others. But to suggest there is any personal unrest from my end to anyone in the team is untrue, especially not with Chez.
“We’ve heard the rumours and we’ve got together and addressed it. We are united in making sure this club is successful. We know we have to get better as a team and we all want what is best for the club.”
New Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov, who spoke with the Trbojevic brothers after Friday’s loss, said he will be meeting with a number of players in the coming weeks.
Cherry Evans and Trbojevic in 2020.CREDIT:GETTY
“There’s some frustration among the senior players and we’re all disappointed with the position the club is in,” Mestrov said. “We will all have some good discussions in the off-season.”
The Herald understands tension within the club also relates to a differing of views between Hasler and the powerful Fulton family.
Hasler, who is one of the highest-paid coaches in the game earning just under $1 million per season, and many of the senior players wanted Kieran Foran to remain at the club, however recruitment manager Scott Fulton, the son of the late Bob Fulton, has been pushing for Josh Schuster to take over the No.6 jersey.
Scott Fulton also has a close relationship with Schuster’s manager Mario Tartak, who has brought several players to the club from western Sydney in recent years.
“It was really emotional at the end there. I wanted to finish on a high note at a club that means so much to me,” Foran said after the one-point loss to Canterbury on Friday night. “It’s been a really tough season for us.
“The reality is I’ve still got a fair bit of footy left in me, but my time at Manly is finished. There’s a lot of people here that played a huge part in my career; Dessie, I’ve known Cherry for 15 years and the Trbojevic boys as well as [Lachlan] Croker and Parks [Brad Parker]. I could name all of them. Then there’s the young boys who have come through.
“It will be strange [without Des]. It’s not ideal feeling like this, and he’s a coach I’ve always enjoyed playing under. But that’s rugby league. I’m excited for the future and going under Justin [Holbrook at the Titans].
“[The pride jersey saga] is so in the past for us. They’re our teammates, they’re our brothers and we completely understand their position on it. We all moved on. They came back and tried their hearts out for the team and the club. That’s all you can ask.”
The SMH online comments:
Circling buzzard (F-ckwit)
If “they all came back and tried their hearts out” perhaps they simply can’t cut it in the top grade.
Hasler has had a fractious relationship with the administration at every club and the Bulldogs were happy to see him go.
Manly may well be better off cutting ties with Hasler and look for a fresh face.
The Real Sydneysider
There is disquiet in northern beaches junior teams at the way the Manly club overlooks local juniors. A good example is Sam Verills who was basically ignored by Many recruiters and subsequently picked up by the Roosters
Yogi
Hmmm… Des Hasler or Scott Fulton? Pretty easy decision for myself.. Hasler - all the way! Back off Mr Fulton, you had your time - Des Hasler is the better of the two for the club. To the Manly board - you lose Des, you will lose so much more as well in terms of the club supporters and current and future players. Get that player manager out of your circle of influence - do you really believe that player managers have anything other than deals driving them? They are there to represent players, not the club. Put Scott in charge of selling the pies..
Manly superstar Trbojevic backs Hasler, denies feud with Cherry-Evans
Tom Trbojevic has moved to silence speculation that he and brother Jake have fallen out with captain Daly Cherry-Evans. He’s also thrown his weight behind Des Hasler.
Manly superstar Trbojevic backs Hasler, denies feud with Cherry-Evans
By Michael Chammas and Adam Pengilly
September 4, 2022 — 5.00pmManly superstar Tom Trbojevic has thrown his powerful support behind embattled coach Des Hasler, calling for stability at a club that has endured endless upheaval over the past decade.
Trbojevic has also moved to silence speculation that he and brother Jake Trbojevic have fallen out with captain Daly Cherry-Evans as the senior players prepare to meet with club management in the coming days.
Factions inside the Sea Eagles are once again at loggerheads over the direction of the team, with a crisis meeting between Hasler and club powerbrokers scheduled for Thursday.
Hasler is reportedly considering quitting his job as Manly look set to force the coach into a raft of changes heading into his final contracted season next year. Hasler has a clause in his contract that would have guaranteed him the 2024 season. However, the Sea Eagles needed to finish inside the top six this season to trigger the deal.
News Corp has also reported that the Trbojevic brothers will consider their own futures at the club if Hasler is run out of town. While Tom insists he has no plans to leave the Sea Eagles, he made it abundantly clear who he wants at the helm.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat things because this has been a disappointing year for us,” Trbojevic told the Herald on Sunday.
The Trbojevic brothers, Tom and Jake, pictured with coach Des Hasler (far right) and then-club chief executive Stephen Humphreys (far left) in 2019.CREDIT:GETTY
“We wanted to play finals football and we’ve underachieved. But a lot of the stuff being said is being over-dramatised. I don’t have any plans of leaving because as far as I’m concerned, Des is still the coach. Des is the best person to get us out of the hole we have got ourselves into at the moment.
“I want him to be the coach next year and for many years after that, and I’m speaking on behalf of a lot of people in our club who feel the same. The club has been down this path many times now. Change isn’t always the answer. Stability is what is going to get us out of this.”
The strength of the relationship of the playing group has come under fire since the Pride jersey fiasco six weeks ago. While the players have held internal meetings to try and resolve any lingering issues, a seven-game losing streak has only added to the unhappiness at Manly.
Rumours of tension between the Trbojevic brothers and Cherry-Evans have been strongly refuted. Tom insists there are no personal issues with anyone at the club. The club’s three best players recently addressed the speculation.
Trbojevic also hosed down reports of a feud with Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans.CREDIT:NRL PHOTOS
“I think people assume in a football team that everyone is best mates,” Trbojevic said.
“There are so many different personalities and characters within a football club that it’s only natural for some people to be closer than others. But to suggest there is any personal unrest from my end to anyone in the team is untrue, especially not with Chez.
“We’ve heard the rumours and we’ve got together and addressed it. We are united in making sure this club is successful. We know we have to get better as a team and we all want what is best for the club.”
New Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov, who spoke with the Trbojevic brothers after Friday’s loss, said he will be meeting with a number of players in the coming weeks.
Cherry Evans and Trbojevic in 2020.CREDIT:GETTY
“There’s some frustration among the senior players and we’re all disappointed with the position the club is in,” Mestrov said. “We will all have some good discussions in the off-season.”
The Herald understands tension within the club also relates to a differing of views between Hasler and the powerful Fulton family.
Hasler, who is one of the highest-paid coaches in the game earning just under $1 million per season, and many of the senior players wanted Kieran Foran to remain at the club, however recruitment manager Scott Fulton, the son of the late Bob Fulton, has been pushing for Josh Schuster to take over the No.6 jersey.
Scott Fulton also has a close relationship with Schuster’s manager Mario Tartak, who has brought several players to the club from western Sydney in recent years.
“It was really emotional at the end there. I wanted to finish on a high note at a club that means so much to me,” Foran said after the one-point loss to Canterbury on Friday night. “It’s been a really tough season for us.
“The reality is I’ve still got a fair bit of footy left in me, but my time at Manly is finished. There’s a lot of people here that played a huge part in my career; Dessie, I’ve known Cherry for 15 years and the Trbojevic boys as well as [Lachlan] Croker and Parks [Brad Parker]. I could name all of them. Then there’s the young boys who have come through.
“It will be strange [without Des]. It’s not ideal feeling like this, and he’s a coach I’ve always enjoyed playing under. But that’s rugby league. I’m excited for the future and going under Justin [Holbrook at the Titans].
“[The pride jersey saga] is so in the past for us. They’re our teammates, they’re our brothers and we completely understand their position on it. We all moved on. They came back and tried their hearts out for the team and the club. That’s all you can ask.”
The SMH online comments:
Circling buzzard (F-ckwit)
If “they all came back and tried their hearts out” perhaps they simply can’t cut it in the top grade.
Hasler has had a fractious relationship with the administration at every club and the Bulldogs were happy to see him go.
Manly may well be better off cutting ties with Hasler and look for a fresh face.
The Real Sydneysider
There is disquiet in northern beaches junior teams at the way the Manly club overlooks local juniors. A good example is Sam Verills who was basically ignored by Many recruiters and subsequently picked up by the Roosters
Yogi
Hmmm… Des Hasler or Scott Fulton? Pretty easy decision for myself.. Hasler - all the way! Back off Mr Fulton, you had your time - Des Hasler is the better of the two for the club. To the Manly board - you lose Des, you will lose so much more as well in terms of the club supporters and current and future players. Get that player manager out of your circle of influence - do you really believe that player managers have anything other than deals driving them? They are there to represent players, not the club. Put Scott in charge of selling the pies..
Last edited:
Damien2812
Bencher
I highly doubt Slater will come to this sh$t show. I could see someone like Browny, Elliot, Flanagan, Kearny and who knows maybe Steve Price.
Terry Zarsoff
First Grader
Foz: are we really sure this weird looking bloke standing next to me isn’t an alien?
It's time to dilute the influence of the Tartak Ten in the club. The only way to do this is to release all of them. Blow up the Fulton pathways and start again from scratch. If this means cutting ties with the Fultons, then so be it. Mestrov needs a sharp scalpel and the firm backing from Penn to cut this negative influence out of the club by excising it permanently. I said the same thing the night Rainbowgate broke, and nothing has happened between now and then to change my mind.
Imo I still think if Tom had played more games and we'd had a "normal" uneventful and non-disruptive season like last year, we'd be in the finals.
But each to his own...
Terry Zarsoff
First Grader
Call it a hunch but I reckon we have some players that would refuse to play if he was our coach.
| Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 | 6 | 1 | 99 | 14 |
|
7 | 6 | 1 | 54 | 14 |
|
7 | 5 | 2 | 36 | 12 |
|
8 | 5 | 2 | 39 | 11 |
|
8 | 5 | 3 | 64 | 10 |
|
7 | 4 | 3 | 49 | 10 |
|
8 | 4 | 4 | 73 | 8 |
|
7 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 8 |
|
8 | 4 | 4 | -14 | 8 |
|
8 | 4 | 4 | -16 | 8 |
|
8 | 4 | 4 | -60 | 8 |
|
8 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 7 |
|
8 | 3 | 5 | -25 | 6 |
|
7 | 2 | 5 | -55 | 6 |
|
8 | 3 | 5 | -55 | 6 |
|
7 | 1 | 6 | -87 | 4 |
|
7 | 1 | 6 | -136 | 4 |
