A new captain, a new halfback, a new CEO – there’s certainly been a lot of change at the Sea Eagles over summer. Adam Lucius looks at whether Manly has what it takes to make a return to finals football.
LIFE WITHOUT DCE
Seeing photos of Daly Cherry-Evans parading around in a Roosters jersey on Bondi Beach was triggering for Manly fans still coming to grips with the fact they are about to start a season without him for the first time in 15 years.
DCE has been part of the Brookvale Oval furniture since 2011, playing a record 352 games for the club before jumping ship to the Roosters in a move that polarised supporters on the Northern Beaches.
How the Sea Eagles fare without him will be one of the enduring storylines of the 2026 season.
Coach Anthony Seibold acknowledges there is a different vibe and is excited about the changing of the guard.
“Chez has been an elder statesman of the game and our captain for so long that him leaving has enabled some other guys to take up some of the responsibility that he tried to deliver,” Seibold tells PL.
“It will give the guys areas of our program to look after, which gives them some responsibility and accountability.
“We definitely changed up our leadership because we don’t have Chez. But I see that as a positive for those now in charge.
“They are thriving with their new responsibilities.”
TURBO CHARGED
Superstar Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic had done it all in the game… well, almost everything.
While he has represented state and country – winning Origin and international series – and been named Dally M player-of-the-year, a premiership has so far eluded him.
In fact, it’s now 15 years since Manly last won a grand final – an eternity for a club which claimed titles in the 1970s (four), 1980s (one), 1990s (one), 2000s (one) and 2010s (one).
Trbojevic witnessed those last two triumphs as a Manly-obsessed kid and is desperate to taste that same glory for himself, teammates and the entire Northern Beaches.
Doing it as skipper – after inheriting the captain’s armband from DCE – would make it even sweeter.
“You sort of got used to Manly being in or around grand finals when I was younger,” he says.
“I remember how exciting that was as a Manly fan.
“We want to win a premiership and I haven’t been able to do that. That’s what we’re working towards.
“It’s the ultimate motivation and the reality is there are 17 teams standing here together that want to achieve it.
“That’s the ultimate goal. We would definitely love to do it but there’s a lot of hard work to do that.”
“We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us and we’ve got lots to grow from what we produced last year.”
Local boy Joey Walsh is expected to become Manly’s long-term No.7
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Losing Cherry-Evans to the Roosters was softened a touch by the recruitment of Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty on a three-year deal.
Fogarty is a quality No.7, possessing one of the best kicking games in the NRL.
“His weapons are his kicking game and his organisation. I also like the fact he sets high standards and is demanding of others,” Seibold says.
“He makes other guys accountable and has really good habits that you need to be successful.”
Trbojevic adds: “He’s a really good leader, great talker, and I think he will be awesome for the club.
“Coming from a minor premiership team at the Raiders, he knows what success looks like and he’s going to put his best foot forward for us.
“I think (the attack) naturally changes a little bit. I can’t give an answer to exactly what it looks like, but Jamal is a different player to Chez and he’s going to come in and bring his strengths.
“Ultimately if your halfback is playing well, you’re going to win more games than you lose.”
Premiership-winning Broncos forward Kobe Hetherington, Roosters hooker Zach Dockar-Clay and Canterbury winger Blake Wilson complete the list of major acquisitions.
JASON IS KING
Jason King is as Manly as they come.
He grew up in the area, went to school across the road from Brookvale Oval (St Augustine’s), played all his junior footy on the beaches and won two NRL titles during his 237 games as a prop for Manly and the Northern Eagles.
The jersey and boots have long been packed away for suit and tie and – following a long stint at the NRL – a seat behind the desk as the Sea Eagles’ new CEO.
“I’m incredibly excited to be coming back home and feel very grateful for the opportunity I’ve been given,” the 44-year-old says.
“I have a deep connection to the Sea Eagles community and truly value the time I previously spent at the club. I hold so many great memories and I’m looking forward to creating plenty more.”
Just like he played the game, King is promising 100% commitment to ensure the club prospers – on and off the field.
He said: “In many ways this is a dream role, but I’m not here for comfort – I’m here to challenge, to perform and to drive the club forward.
“The club is in a strong position with solid foundations (off-field) and, naturally, we must be highly competitive on the field – that’s the standard at this club.
“Manly supporters rightly expect success. We’re a proud and successful organisation and we’ll be pushing hard to meet those expectations.”
FANS FORTIFIED
A Manly home game has become one of the hottest tickets in town.
Sellouts at 4 Pines Park are almost guaranteed as are wins – until last year.
The Sea Eagles finished with an 8-4 win/loss record at Brookvale Oval in 2025, revealing a few cracks in what was once considered The Fortress.
Running repairs have been carried out over summer.
“I’m really proud that we’ve got an opportunity to represent the area and I want to see us do well for the area,” Seibold declares.
“One of the things that inspire us is the buzz leading up to a big game and running out to a packed house at Brookie.
“We have great support and want to send those fans home smiling and waking up the next day feeling 10-feet tall.
“We know teams don’t like playing us at home and our aim is to make it as uncomfortable as possible.”
Manly Coach Anthony Seibold
THE FINAL WORD
Which Manly side will turn up in 2026?
Will it be the one that beat all top four sides last year – including a thrashing of eventual premiers Brisbane – or the version that lost to wooden spooners Newcastle and strugglers Wests Tigers and Gold Coast?
Injuries certainly knocked the club for six, as did the season-long drama surrounding Cherry-Evans.
But Seibold acknowledges his side must narrow the gap between its best and worst if the Sea Eagles are to return to the top eight.
Much will rest on the shoulders of Tom Trbojevic, Fogarty and a fit-again Haumole Olakau’atu.
If those three stay on the field and gel, Manly fans can dare to dream of finals footy.
Watch the maroon and whites kick-starting their campaign against Canberra on 7 March at 4 Pines Park
