2022 Preview: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

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Manly's season is next in our cross-hairs, with their 2022 NRL season preview delivered by Jason Hosken.

The Turbocharged Sea Eagles roll into 2022 with essentially the same line-up that rocketed up the charts last season. For Des Hasler the message is simple, go one better and challenge for the grand final.

After last season's kamikaze Corso escapade, Tom Trbojevic rectified Manly's awful start on the way to scooping the club's fourth Dally M Medal. Virtually untouchable, the fullback piloted a Sea Eagles recovery that yielded 17 wins from their last 23 starts at an eye watering 34 points per match.

Souths would go on to spoil the party in the preliminary final. But with lessons learned, the Sea Eagles front for next month's season opener with just the Dragon bound Moses Suli missing from the 17 that were bundled out by the Rabbitohs.

21-year-old Bronco back-rower Ethan Bullemor represents the only new off-season recruit. For the Sea Eagles hierarchy, it's testament to the success of a strong junior succession plan.

The strategy unearthed edge forwards Haumole Olakau'atu and Josh Schuster with devastating effect. Both went on to finish their first full season under Hasler destined for higher honours.

Morgan Harper and Jason Saab also relished their golden opportunities. The former Bulldog and Dragon discards quickly combined to form one of the most potent centre/wing combinations in the competition.

Upfront, and hulking young prop Taniela Paseka now commands centre stage. His growth under the watchful eye of fellow bookends Marty Taupau and Josh Aloiai is symptomatic of the Manly mix.

While Turbo, Saab and Reuben Garrick broke all the records in a memorable 2021, the at times harshly maligned Daly Cherry-Evans was the one constant that steadied the ship.

Now 33, the skipper's fitness has never wavered in an 11-year 261-game career. And alongside a rejuvenated Kieran Foran, their tenacity combined with abundant youth and brawn could prove the perfect mix.

Why they'll win it

Chat to any diehard fan and their belief in the footy gods is always a matter of convenience.

So for long term followers of Manly, that means they are destined to shine on Tom Trbojevic until he plays in the club's ninth premiership.

Blessed with international custodians stretching back more than 50 years including multiple title winners like Graham ‘Wombat' Eadie and Brett "Snake" Stewart, it's almost a foregone conclusion that by the time the Mona Vale junior hangs up his boots it will be alongside at least one premiership medallion.

And 2022 could be the year.

With a delicate balance of hard-heads, experience and youthful exuberance, Manly flew under Dessie's famed radar for the majority of 2021. Now with the scars of a preliminary final exit and an ingrained knowledge of what separates the pretenders from the winners, there's little doubt Manly have what it takes to go all the way.

Why they won't

Tommy Turbo smashed the lights out of 2021 with arguably the best individual season in the game's history, and yet, the Sea Eagles still came up empty handed.

To repeat the same theatrics with such regularity is a frightening thought, but if the Manly wiz slips a notch or two then his side's prospects should too.

The last time the Sea Eagles played back-to-back finals was in 2014. It rounded out a golden period of 10 consecutive end of season campaigns that delivered the club its seventh and eighth premiership titles.

Since then, good and bad seasons have alternated like day and night. And with more than a handful of young bucks hoping to replicate breakout seasons, Hasler would be well advised to source a vaccine to fight second-season syndrome.

Last year Manly were the flat track bullies. They lacked the grind of the top sides and couldn't get close to the Panthers, Melbourne and the Rabbitohs, who all knocked them off their perch on multiple occasions.

There's no doubt Manly are building nicely, but they are probably still a year or two shy of the ultimate prize.

Manly's schedule - how it stacks up

Memories of last season's diabolical opening will be fresh in the minds of Manly fans given a tough opening fortnight that has them on the road against the premiers at Penrith and the Roosters at the SCG.

In round 3 they return home to host the Bulldogs in what will be the first of 10 matches at their revamped Brookvale facility. The joint government funded 4 Pines Park upgrade costing $33.1M houses a Centre of Excellence and sees the old northern hill topped with a sleek 3,000-seat grandstand.

Once again the Sea Eagles will play two home games outside of Sydney.

In round 4 they return to Mudgee for the second consecutive season when they tackle the Raiders, while round 10 sees a continuation of their traditional Magic Round clash against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium.

During the Origin period, Hasler will have to make do without his stars for the round 13 home clash against the Warriors.

In terms of the competition heavyweights, the Sea Eagles line-up twice against the Storm, Roosters and Eels but have the good fortune of only having to face each of the 2021 grand finalists on one occasion.

Overall, it's a draw Manly supporters should feel comfortable with. And with a run to the finals that includes the Titans, Sharks, Raiders and Bulldogs, all going well, the boys from the Northern Beaches could hit September riding the crest of a wave.

Key players

Trbojevic and Trbojevic - the two older ones, Cherry-Evans too. The trio have been the face of Manly on and off the field for a while now.

But when it comes to variety on the park, don't discount the value of Dylan Walker off the bench.

Now in his seventh season in the maroon and white, the former Rabbitoh has finally found his niche in a link role where his skills and pace can prove decisive as games unfold.

But it's not as individuals where the Sea Eagles need improvement. It's as a collective in defense, and until they learn to defend their own errors, they will always be a rung or two below the top sides.

Rookies to watch

Manly showcased its vast array of junior talent in the club's opening trial against the Tigers at Leichhardt Oval.

Playmaker Kaeo Weekes joined halfback Jamie Humphreys, hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong and hat-trick hero Ray Vaega in a group of former SG Ball stars who are on track for an NRL call up in the foreseeable future.

Of the top squad, Tolutau Koula is the most likely to make the top grade at some point this season. With speed to burn, the 19-year-old who covers 100m in almost even time is worthy cover for any of the outside backs.

Player movements

Inbound: Ethan Bullemor (Brisbane)

Outbound: Curtis Sironen (St Helens (UK)), Cade Cust (Wigan (UK)), Moses Suli, Jack Gosiewski (St Geo Illa), Tevita Funa (Rugby Union), Zac Saddler (released)

Best 17

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Brad Parker
4. Morgan Harper
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Kieran Foran
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Martin Taupau
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Taniela Paseka
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Josh Schuster
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Josh Aloiai
15. Dylan Walker
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Toafofoa Sipley

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