Sack Seibold Immediately

[Cliffycomeback]

AI Overview

Yes, Tony Mestrov was the best man at Anthony Seibold's wedding, according to news reports. This fact was mentioned in the context of reports about a "nasty smear campaign" and Daly Cherry-Evans's comments following a game.

 

[Nordburg]

It's not as if the media, especially NRL media, has made up something before.

I understand your scepticism and in many instances,it’s warranted,but something like that is either right or wrong,not a story based on an opinion,agenda or rumour.If it was factually incorrect,Seibold or Mestrov would have debunked the story immediately and Fox would have,begrudgingly,written an apology or retracted the statement

 

[Phobia]

Sea Eagles powerbrokers swear there’s no fire. You can smell the smoke from Dee Why.

Anthony Seibold’s time at Manly is entering the red zone. The players can feel it. The old boys can’t stop talking about it. And the board keeps insisting nothing to see here while the curtains burn.

You don’t need a stethoscope to hear the heartbeat going faint. Seibold’s seven-minute “crisis chats” with players – complete with print-outs of their errors – landed like a lead balloon and deepened the split inside the sheds. That’s not gossip; that’s from the club’s own preferred megaphone: crisis talks happened, and “Seibold is falling out of favour with certain players”. Another wrap spelled it out even plainer: internal rumblings, player dissatisfaction, coach on the clock.

And while all that churns, the Manly old guard has quietly organised the cavalry. A bloc of ex-players – fronted by Anthony Watmough – are pushing for a change and, just to save time, they’ve even named the replacement: Matt Ballin. That’s not a whisper, that’s on the record; the club owner Scott Penn even called out “people throwing grenades.”

So, if the axe falls, who actually coaches Manly next? Let’s deal with reality, not romance.

The old boys’ ticket
Matt Ballin
The push is real: Watmough and mates want him. Ballin’s more substance than sizzle — diligent, details-first, respected. The head-coach sample is tiny but on paper: Blacktown (NSW Cup) 2021: 16 games, 4W-8L-4D. That’s a COVID-kinked year, not a career verdict, but it’s a number.

The in-house handover
Michael Ennis
Already in the building sharpening Manly’s spine. Yes, the succession plan chatter flared — and Ennis publicly called it “inappropriate” right now — but the fact it exists tells you plenty. If the board wants minimal turbulence and maximum deniability, this is the cleanest switch.

The romance
Geoff Toovey
Every time Manly forgets who they are, Toovey’s name boomerangs back. And with reason: 57.6% win rate last time he had the whistle, plus a 2013 grand final. That’s elite by modern standards, not nostalgia.

The proven program builders
Willie Peters (Hull KR)
If Manly want standards and a modern system, this is the market leader. As of Aug 1, 2025: 89 games, 65 wins, 24 losses — 73%. That’s not hype; that’s the ledger.

Justin Holbrook
He turned St Helens into a machine: 70 wins from 87 and a title. Whatever you think of the Titans chapter, the Super League record screams program coach.

Sam Burgess (Warrington)
Presence, standards, instant uplift. Year one haul: 20 wins from 27, best attack and defence across the regular season per the league’s own review. Not bad for a rookie.

The “Des plan” that never died
Josh Hannay
Remember this? When the Hasler saga was boiling, the media-reported succession map had Hannay apprenticing then taking over in 2025. That wasn’t fan fiction; multiple outlets ran it. He’s done caretaker tours at the Cowboys (2020) and Sharks (2021) and has Origin stripes. Whether he’s the right voice for Brookvale is the only question left.

Left-field
Adrian Lam (Leigh) — Challenge Cup winner in 2023, twice Super League coach of the year; turns attacks from beige to barbed wire.

Steve McNamara (ex-Catalans) — free and on the market after parting ways in June; built Catalans into contenders for years.

So where does it land?

Right now, the players’ faith is brittle, the ex-players are mobilised, and the board’s patience is performative. That’s the trifecta that buries coaches. The Watmough-Ballin ticket has momentum, the Ennis handover is the tidy internal option, and the Peters/Holbrook/Burgess tier are the “pay now, win sooner” imports.

If Seibold wants to live through September, he needs results, not meetings. The room is drifting; the alumni are plotting; the replacements are lining up. Manly can swear it’s business as usual — but everyone knows the business is finding the next coach.

This has all the hallmarks of an AI-generated article, but it's right in a lot of ways, and seems to be based largely upon present media reports.

Out of curiosity, what website was it from? Undoubtedly it's the type of article that has been irking the likes of the real Paul Kent... Lol.

 

[Bomb Voyage]

I understand your scepticism and in many instances,it’s warranted,but something like that is either right or wrong,not a story based on an opinion,agenda or rumour.If it was factually incorrect,Seibold or Mestrov would have debunked the story immediately and Fox would have,begrudgingly,written an apology or retracted the statement

I've heard it from the horses mouth - and you also must understand that sometimes addressing rumours such as these can often make the situation worse. It could be that porkies are being told, but in that case, man I'd love to see a single photo of Mestrov at the wedding, or better yet, stood at the altar.

 

[Phobia]

I've heard it from the horses mouth - and you also must understand that sometimes addressing rumours such as these can often make the situation worse. It could be that porkies are being told, but in that case, man I'd love to see a single photo of Mestrov at the wedding, or better yet, stood at the altar.

Completely disagree on this.

When has Rupert Murdoch ever lied before?

 

[Bomb Voyage]

Completely disagree on this.

When has Rupert Murdoch ever lied before?

Touche

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

You need forwards that can move, to defend like the Dogs and Panthers. Lodge was taken off after 15 minutes today; he was absolutely out on his feet and couldn’t get to marker and was repeatedly the last player back in the defensive line; no coach can turn him around, no matter how good.

Possibly why Manly didn't even offer the guy a contract for this year. In the end he took a reserve grade lifeline so was only available for the back of the comp.

Although I guess instead we could have tried Patola (or Mia or Sykes) (unless they too were injured at the time?) or put Jake to prop?

Or ... aaagh I consider Manly's depth better than last year's but turns out isn't saying much.

Seibold's fault we recruit average players? Maybe. Although we did make 2nd week of finals last year (and that game was effectively gone after the first 2 tackles).

So I suppose our squad was pretty good after all if they could get that far despite a millstone coach around their necks. This year they've finally had enough of him and have given up. As any good professional player will (!)

Obviously I've no idea what's what, but Manly bowing out yet again is pretty dismal especially after a bright start to the year.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

This has all the hallmarks of an AI-generated article, but it's right in a lot of ways, and seems to be based largely upon present media reports.

Out of curiosity, what website was it from? Undoubtedly it's the type of article that has been irking the likes of the real Paul Kent... Lol.

It really is becoming harder to differentiate truth from lies in this age if artificial intelligence.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Possibly why Manly didn't even offer the guy a contract for this year. In the end he took a reserve grade lifeline so was only available for the back of the comp.

Although I guess instead we could have tried Patola (or Mia or Sykes) (unless they too were injured at the time?) or put Jake to prop?

Or ... aaagh I consider Manly's depth better than last year's but turns out isn't saying much.

Seibold's fault we recruit average players? Maybe. Although we did make 2nd week of finals last year (and that game was effectively gone after the first 2 tackles).

So I suppose our squad was pretty good after all if they could get that far despite a millstone coach around their necks. This year they've finally had enough of him and have given up. As any good professional player will (!)

Obviously I've no idea what's what, but Manly bowing out yet again is pretty dismal especially after a bright start to the year.

Don't worry my mighty Manly comrade.

I have just gone through the final three rounds with a result predictor and guess what? Manly are a mathematical possibility to play finals this year. All we need is a bit of magic.

// Magic. Do not touch or we will lose.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

I understand your scepticism and in many instances,it’s warranted,but something like that is either right or wrong,not a story based on an opinion,agenda or rumour.If it was factually incorrect,Seibold or Mestrov would have debunked the story immediately and Fox would have,begrudgingly,written an apology or retracted the statement

Not necessarily. Saying somebody was best man at somebody else's wedding is not a defamatory imputation, and Mestrov and/or Seibold may have thought it was so trivial they didn't bother bringing it up. I mean, really? We're checking wedding invitation lists in rugby league now?

Also, AI-generated searches will amplify pretty much any mistruth the internet cares to produce. That's what makes them so dangerous. If the input is incorrect, the output will be as well.

And the idea that Fox would fact check a story these days? They don't have fact checkers. They don't care if something is "true". If it isn't, repeating it over and over again will magically make it true.

So until I see the wedding photos (and those wedding photos can be forensically examined to make sure they haven't been AI generated as well), I am on the fence🙂

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Not necessarily. Saying somebody was best man at somebody else's wedding is not a defamatory imputation, and Mestrov and/or Seibold may have thought it was so trivial they didn't bother bringing it up. I mean, really? We're checking wedding invitation lists in rugby league now?

Also, AI-generated searches will amplify pretty much any mistruth the internet cares to produce. That's what makes them so dangerous. If the input is incorrect, the output will be as well.

And the idea that Fox would fact check a story these days? They don't have fact checkers. They don't care if something is "true". If it isn't, repeating it over and over again will magically make it true.

So until I see the wedding photos (and those wedding photos can be forensically examined to make sure they haven't been AI generated as well), I am on the fence🙂

Agreed, you make a very good point regarding the comment not really having any defamatory imputations.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Possibly why Manly didn't even offer the guy a contract for this year. In the end he took a reserve grade lifeline so was only available for the back of the comp.

Although I guess instead we could have tried Patola (or Mia or Sykes) (unless they too were injured at the time?) or put Jake to prop?

Or ... aaagh I consider Manly's depth better than last year's but turns out isn't saying much.

Seibold's fault we recruit average players? Maybe. Although we did make 2nd week of finals last year (and that game was effectively gone after the first 2 tackles).

So I suppose our squad was pretty good after all if they could get that far despite a millstone coach around their necks. This year they've finally had enough of him and have given up. As any good professional player will (!)

Obviously I've no idea what's what, but Manly bowing out yet again is pretty dismal especially after a bright start to the year.

Yep. And look, I’ve stuck pretty solid with Seibs but my patience is waning, largely based on the recruitment and retention approach since he arrived. Either he’s assembled/retained a roster that is ineffective or he is ineffective at getting his effective roster up for games. Either way, it’s his responsibility. If it’s the players, he should have made some hard decisions and pursued a different direction…if it’s not the players and they have capacity beyond their current performance, than he’s incapable of motivating them.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Yep. And look, I’ve stuck pretty solid with Seibs but my patience is waning, largely based on the recruitment and retention approach since he arrived. Either he’s assembled/retained a roster that is ineffective or he is ineffective at getting his effective roster up for games. Either way, it’s his responsibility. If it’s the players, he should have made some hard decisions and pursued a different direction…if it’s not the players and they have capacity beyond their current performance, than he’s incapable of motivating them.

Similar for me. I thought Manly held up well for 55 min v Dogs, despite losing Haumole before half-time which would have been deflating because it was obviously his season) and got flogged in final 20. It can happen, I recall Dogs did a similar job on Raiders.

Hard to regroup from that and Raiders ended up beating us fair and square, basically looked a better class of team (admittedly close to full strength). Then Chooks in the wet, we looked un-threatening and rabble-like although defended stoutly.

Yesterday continued the almost total lack of threat in attack. Too gassed from defending? I don't know but so disappointing to watch that unfold, beaten again by a clearly better team. Again, one close to full strength.

DCE is having easily his worst year. Even more poor choices/execution but way fewer highlights to balance that out.

 

[CoreyWaddellSuperFan]

And the idea that Fox would fact check a story these days? They don't have fact checkers. They don't care if something is "true". If it isn't, repeating it over and over again will magically make it true.

They might not have fact checkers but boy do they have stats. Stats, stats, eye glazing stats coming out of the Fox wazoo.

JUST MAKE IT STOP!!!!!!

 

[LeonardCohen]

Similar for me. I thought Manly held up well for 55 min v Dogs, despite losing Haumole before half-time which would have been deflating because it was obviously his season) and got flogged in final 20. It can happen, I recall Dogs did a similar job on Raiders.

Hard to regroup from that and Raiders ended up beating us fair and square, basically looked a better class of team (admittedly close to full strength). Then Chooks in the wet, we looked un-threatening and rabble-like although defended stoutly.

Yesterday continued the almost total lack of threat in attack. Too gassed from defending? I don't know but so disappointing to watch that unfold, beaten again by a clearly better team. Again, one close to full strength.

DCE is having easily his worst year. Even more poor choices/execution but way fewer highlights to balance that out.

Agree with all that. There’s also a part of me that thinks injuries are somewhat of an excuse; Bennett is a SuperCoach that’s struggled to ignite his Rabbits and upon the return of some quality players, jags a couple of win…however, on the contrary, their injuries have been significantly worse than ours. Most weeks, we’ve had our full strength backline and our experienced halves. Then you look at Melbourne who just beat Penrith without Hughes and Pap.

The insipid attack we displayed yesterday cannot be explained away with injury. Something is off within the four walls.