2024 Preview: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

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Rob Crosby takes a look at Manly's second year ahead under Anthony Seibold.

Can the Sea Eagles soar in the face of Turbolence?

The biggest challenge facing the Manly Sea Eagles in 2024 will be silencing naysayers who accuse the side of living or dying on the fortunes of one single player. 

Going from inconsistent top-eight challengers with Tom Trbojevic on the field to distant also-rans when the star fullback's campaign was once again cut short by injury, the Sea Eagles will be looking to revitalise their attack and stiffen their defensive resolve in an effort to break back into finals football.

Coach Anthony Seibold will enter the second year of his tenure without the immediate pressure of needing to perform or perish, while being cognisant of the fact the Sea Eagles haven't missed the finals in three consecutive years since the days of the ill-fated Northern Eagles merger. 

Recruiting much-maligned playmaker Luke Brooks as the club's marquee acquisition, Samoan representatives Tommy Talau and Jaxson Paulo will provide depth in the outside backs, while Corey Waddell, Aitasi James and former NSW representative Nathan Brown will do likewise up front.

The Sea Eagles will kick-off their campaign against South Sydney in the first match of the historic Las Vegas double header.

Why they'll win it

At their best, the Sea Eagles boast a host of attacking threats capable of impacting the result of a game in various ways.

Whether it be the raw speed of Jason Saab and Tolu Koula, the size and power of Haumole Olakau'atu, the youthful exuberance of Gordon Chan Kum Tong or Daly Cherry-Evans, the master of controlling a game - the men from Manly are an impressive array - and that's before taking into account the man at the back.

Tom Trboejvic, on his own, possesses many of the traits listed above, but what makes him a player of premiership-winning potential is his ability to instil the players around him with belief.

There are teams that have the potential to play football in September. The Sea Eagles have the potential to do so in October.

Why they won't

The Manly Sea Eagles have played 121 games since the start of 2019. During that time, their hopes have lived or died on Tom Trbojevic remaining on the field.

The facts make for uncomfortable reading on the northern beaches - their star fullback has only played in 45% of games during that span of time, yet the Sea Eagles hold a 65% success rate with him on the field. 

With Trbojevic garnering a reputation as an injury-prone player whose brilliance has become unreliable, the Sea Eagles have failed in years gone by to devise a winning game plan without the former Dally M Medallist.

History suggests a strong likelihood of the fullback spending more time on the sidelines. It remains to be seen if the Sea Eagles can find resolve under adversity to escape the mid-table mediocrity that usually ensues in his absence.

Player movement

Key player

Few players in the modern era have borne the brunt of intense scrutiny quite like Luke Brooks.

Spending a decade in the top grade under the weight of expectations that could never be realised, the 29-year-old should relish the opportunity for a fresh start in a role that will allow him to play to his strengths as a five-eighth.

Possessing a wealth of experience with more than 200 first grade appearances to his name, Brooks may not have featured in finals football to date but could prove to be the missing piece needed to take the Sea Eagles back to September.

Rookies to watch

Endearing himself to the Manly faithful with two appearances late last season, Gordon Chan Kum Tong could offer the Sea Eagles with untapped attacking potential out of dummy half. Gaining valuable experience as a member of Samoa's ill-fated Pacific Cup campaign, the diminutive 22-year-old will be pushing to make the jersey 14 his own as part of a potentially potent dual hooker rotation.

Gaining a taste of the top grade last season in five appearances with the Wests Tigers, Aitasi James will be pushing for regular game time off the bench as part of the side's forward rotation. Contracted on a development deal for 2024 before moving into the top 30 next year, the 23-year-old could prove to be an astute pickup as a front-rower with long-term potential.

Best 17

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Brad Parker
4. Tolu Koula
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Toafofoa Sipley
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Corey Waddell
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
15. Josh Schuster
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Josh Aloiai
18. Ben Trbojevic

2024 fixture list

Kicking off the 2024 season in the first match of the Las Vegas double header opposite South Sydney, the Sea Eagles will do the bulk of their travelling in the first third of the campaign with only two matches scheduled outside Sydney in the weeks post Magic Round. 

Scheduled to take their byes prior to Origin I (Round 13), immediately after Origin II (Round 17) and the first weekend in August (Round 22), coach Anthony Seibold will be without his representative stars on two occasions against South Sydney and Newcastle.

Facing four teams on multiple occasions that featured in finals football, including reigning premiers Penrith, the Sea Eagles will close out the home-and-away season on home soil against long-standing rivals Cronulla.

Times are all AET (Sydney local time)