2019 Preview: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

Everything old is new again for the Sea Eagles as two-time premiership winning coach Des Hasler returns to the Northern Beaches in an effort to amend for a dismal campaign filled with instability on the field and acrimony off of it.

Beginning 2018 with high hopes after annihilating Parramatta 54-0 at home, a succession of issues ensured the club remained in the headlines for the wrong reasons as injuries, player discontent and the public fallout between coach Trent Barrett and club officials culminated in a 15th placed finish.

Making minimal noise in the player market, former Gold Coast boom rookie Kane Elgey will be hoping to revive his stilted career alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, while following the departures of Brian Kelly and Akuila Uate, journeyman Brendan Elliot shapes as a strong contender to nail down a permanent position in the backline. Having been sacked by the Bulldogs two years ago for declining performances, on-field expectations of Hasler are likely to be modest in the short term with a primary focus on strengthening the long term roster without running into salary cap troubles.

Beginning the new year against Wests Tigers at Leichardt Oval, the Sea Eagles will face a tough initiation with Hasler back at the helm having been drawn the Roosters, Rabbitohs and Dragons over the first six rounds. Set to be without the Trbojevic brothers and Cherry-Evans during the representative season, away fixtures in Canberra, New Zealand and Melbourne over the closing weeks should limit the side's ability to vie for a top eight berth.

Why They'll Win It

Upon first taking the reigns of Manly 15 years ago, the phrase ‘under the radar' became synonymous with Des Hasler's approach towards on-field success. Eager to downplay the qualities of his side amid an NRL landscape dominated by powerhouse clubs, the lack of expectation placed upon the Sea Eagles allowed the side to develop into a force that would go on to dominate for much of the ensuing decade. Returning to the Northern Beaches to a club facing similar troubles, Hasler will be able to go about reshaping the roster in his image without the pressure of high expectations along with having the autonomy to make big decisions off the back of his resume. 

Why They Won't

While few would deny the standing of DCE, the Trbojevic brothers and Martin Taupau among the competition's finest, the danger posed by the lesser-known members of Manly's roster is unlikely to intimidate the vast majority of opposition teams. With two-thirds of the NRL squad off-contract at the end of 2019, a high turnover of talent seems likely with a steady stream of debutants set to filter in throughout the home-and-away season. In years to come the youngsters blooded by Hasler may be held in high regard, but in the immediate future result aren't likely to be forthcoming given the standing of the Sea Eagles as a collective unit compared with the other 15 clubs.

2019 Draw

Key Player - Curtis Sironen

Enduring a wretched run with injuries over the past 18 months, 2019 shapes as a definitive year in the career of Curtis Sironen. Beginning last season in fine form before being struck down with a torn ACL after just four rounds, the 25-year-old City Origin representative will be hoping for a change in fortune in order to remain on the field and earn a contract renewal. Maturing physically to the demands of the second row after beginning his career at Wests Tigers as a playmaker, a fit and firing Sironen will go a long way towards establishing the Sea Eagles as a side capable of pushing for an ambitious top eight finish.

Rookies to watch

Set to debut plenty of fresh faces throughout the year due to a high number of off-contract players and a further twelve months of development for the juniors that claimed the 2017 NYC title, expect to see the stars of tomorrow take their first steps in the top grade under Hasler's watch. Among the contenders to partner Cherry-Evans in the halves, 20-year-old Cade Cust will be eyeing off the number six jersey after spending time with Blacktown Workers in the Intrust Super Premiership last season, while fellow Under 20s premiership winner Tevita Funa will be hoping his skills as a goal-kicker serves as the trump card for a call-up in the outside backs. Furthermore, the Sea Eagles will have high hopes for 22-year-old Penrith recruit Corey Waddell. A member of the triumphant 2017 State Championship side, the young second rower should see game time at some stage as a result of his pedigree with the Panthers.

Player Movements

Gains: Corey Waddell (Panthers), Reuben Garrick (Dragons), Kane Elgey, Brendan Elliot (Titans)

Losses: Brian Kelly (Titans), Shaun Lane (Eels), Akuila Uate (Huddersfield), Tom Wright (Brumbies RU), Lewis Brown, Jonathan Wright (retired)

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