Hybrid game set for Sea Eagles

The Sea Eagles players today head to training with a new game to test.

Manly and Essendon will play in a unique hybrid game of rugby league and Australian rules.

The Bombers will attend a Sea Eagles' training session this morning at Narrabeen with both teams also working on agility and defence.

The hybrid game is the brainchild of Manly coach Des Hasler in consultation with Essendon's coaches.

"We will be using skills from both games," Hasler said.

"When there is a rugby league ball on the field, players will pass and when there's an AFL ball out there, they will hand-pass.

"We will be working in grids."

Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy contacted Manly last week to gather background on Sea Eagles players and coaching staff.

The historic training session will run for three hours.

"We will do some competitive work against them," Manly captain Michael Monaghan said last night.

"It will be a match-up of the different skills of both games. I'm sure their visit will benefit both clubs.

"We spoke about pre-season variation and this is a great idea. It will be good to check out the technique of AFL players."

Monaghan said his players were looking forward to watching Sheedy operate.

"He has a great coaching record and definitely knows what he is talking about," Monaghan said.