2022 review: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

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While it was little surprise to anyone that Manly's fortunes in 2022 once again rested on the shoulders of the champion fullback Tom Trbojevic, an unexpected backlash by 7 players against the wearing of a Pride jersey in August not only put paid to their finals hopes, but caused a rift so severe that the Sea Eagles may never be quite the same again.

It was head coach Des Hasler - the man who was nicknamed "Sorry" during his playing days - that bravely offered up a very public apology on behalf of the club alongside captain Daly Cherry-Evans, and was able to reunite the players the week after the incident.

Unfortunately for him, his efforts mattered little. The side failed to win another game and finish a disappointing 11th, he was sacked 4 seasons into his second stint as head coach of Manly.

The now traditional round 1 curse was seemingly set in stone well before season 2022 kicked off. They were put up against the 2021 premiers Penrith, who enjoyed a homecoming that was almost a year in the making. Even with Nathan Cleary unavailable, there was to be no miracle for the Sea Eagles.

It wasn't until they hosted last season's wooden spooners in round 3 that they won their first match, but it took a field goal from Daly Cherry Evans to get them home on the night. Worryingly, their superstar fullback "Turbo" Tom Trbojevic wasn't at his best. It wasn't until Manly took on Canberra the following week in Mudgee that he started to fire, and it resulted in a comfortable 25-6 win over the green machine.

Unfortunately for supporters, it was only a brief ray of light as Turbo was ruled out with a knee complaint immediately after. While the momentum continued with comfortable wins over the Knights and Titans, it was the new and improved Sharks that showed Manly were still not ready to dance with the real contenders. This loss was followed by another defeat at the hands of the Rabbitohs on the Central Coast, and while they were able to celebrate the return of Turbo against the Wests Tigers with a victory, the depth of Manly's problems were brutally exposed against a revitalised Broncos, who walloped them 38-0 in round 10.

Manly's despair was compounded further by not only their arch rivals Parramatta edging them out in a much improved effort, but the loss of Turbo for the remainder of the season with a serious shoulder injury.

After an unsuccessful visit to Melbourne, coach Des Hasler was able to guide the side through the origin period with a very impressive 4 out of 5 wins, with the only loss being against the second-placed Cowboys by only 2 points and one of those wins being against the Storm. Even after a disappointing showing in Round 19 where they lost to the Dragons, 9th placed Manly were giving fans hope that they had the potential to come home with a wet sail and lock in a top-8 finish.

However, the pride jersey drama cut the threads that the Sea Eagles were hanging onto grimly, and that was it. Supporters could only watch on in despair as one defeat gradually became seven in a row, dropping them to a disappointing 11th and ending Hasler's reign as coach - again.

Turning point

While Turbo's shoulder injury against the Eels could be considered the point at which Manly's were shot, the fact is that they had their best period of the season with him absent. It was undeniably the saga that engulfed the club when the Pride jersey was announced that single-handedly turned Manly's season from one of hope to an absolute train wreck.

The weekend following the saga - which dominated not only back pages but front pages throughout the week - Manly was without seven of their starting side as a result. Those who did play in the rainbow-accented maroon jersey put in a brave performance, but in the end it served as little more than a springboard for their opponents on the night - the Roosters - to continue on their way to an eight-match winning streak of their own.

It was no doubt a lot of work by coach Des Hasler who got the team back together to take on the Eels in an effort to get their top-8 hopes back on track, but Parramatta was just far too good, and they teed off a devastating losing streak for Manly in which they conceded an average of 36 points per game for the remainder of the year.

What worked

After 2020 and 2021, Manly finally showed the rugby league world that they can win games without needing to rely on the man they call 'Tommy Turbo'.

While their star fullback was out, the side went on a winning run that had everyone sitting up and taking notice. Forwards Haumole Olakau'atu, Josh Aloiai and Lachlan Croker in particular were outstanding in getting Manly going forward, and with help from the evergreen Daly Cherry Evans and outgoing five-eighth Kieran Foran, they were able to bring the best out of the likes of Christian Tuipulotu, Morgan Harper and noted speedster Jason Saab. Reuben Garrick also came of age, providing Manly with an experienced and more than capable spare fullback.

What didn't work

Dividing the playing group on religious grounds is definitely not something we'll be seeing in any sporting coach's playbook going forward. In a broader sense, regardless which side of the fence one sits on, Manly's management completely botched the decision making process, design, communication and announcement of the pride jersey.

They even made the basic error of releasing it during the Women in League round.

The saga made it abundantly clear that there was a disconnect between the club management and the playing group, and it turned what could have been a good season into an unmitigated disaster.

The management have gotten rid of Kieran Foran, who has undeniably been a key part of Manly's success in his years at the club, and two-time premiership winning coach Des Hasler. This same management remains at Manly and will have to do better this season to ensure the playing and coaching group are all pulling in the same direction.

On the field, it is clear that new coach Anthony Seibold will have to solve the puzzle that is Josh Schuster. An immensely talented player, Schuster has struggled to find his feet and may be at a crossroads in his career. He struggled for the most part in 2022, although at times he still showed glimpses of brilliance with the ball. In the right environment, he has the potential to be an ideal replacement at five-eighth for Kieran Foran.

2022 results

Best players

Halfback and captain Daly Cherry Evans had yet another outstanding year for the Sea Eagles. While he is the highest paid player at the club, he continues to show that he is worth every cent. Without DCE's leadership, kicking game, consistency and ball skills, Manly would be struggling to stave off the wooden spoon.

Along with DCE, Manly were able to continue to rely on their top representative stars - Marty Taupau, Kieran Foran, and Dylan Walker were consistent off the bench. Jake Trbojevic was also rewarded as the cornerstone of Manly's pack with a return to the Blues' side.

There have been a few newer names that have really shown their quality in 2022. Josh Aloiai, Reuben Garrick, and Jason Saab have either emerged as future stars or established themselves as permanent fixtures in Manly's starting lineup for years to come. Hasler would have also been grateful for the consistency and whole-hearted efforts of Manly's player of the year Lachlan Croker in the hooking role.

But there is one name that has really shone above all else, and that is Haumole Olakau'atu. He has been consistently outstanding for the Sea Eagles this year, and Seibold will be delighted that he's contracted until the end of 2024.

Rookies

Manly had a big opportunity to blood a number of youngsters this season. In Round 20, Des Hasler handed NRL debuts to club legend Bob Fulton's promising grandson, Zac. Fijian Pio Seci and Kiwi Alfred Smalley also played their first NRL games wearing the controversial rainbow stripes.

Christian Tuipulotu showed the kids out there what grabbing an opportunity with both hands is all about. After Tom Trbojevic's knee injury, Tuipulotu slotted into Reuben Garrick's wing position, and played so well that Hasler had no choice but to keep him there when Turbo returned. Meanwhile, another Trbojevic emerged as a future first grader. Tom and Jake's brother Ben showed his utility potential, doing a job for Manly in the outside backs and in the second row at different times throughout the year.

Last but not least, Tolutau Koula had a breakout season as a genuine rookie for Manly this year. After a bench appearance in round 1, he filled in for Brad Parker who had a tough run of injuries in 2022.

2022 player statistics

Looking ahead

On the field, Manly's chances largely revolve around incoming Anthony Seibold and his new coaching staff, which include the likes of Jim Dymock and former premiership winning coach Shane Flanagan. They will be tasked with getting the playing group's head on straight after the disastrous end to 2022. The best way to do this will be to break their round 1 duck, as early losses will be hard to turn around.

Seibold also has the challenge of bringing the best out of the precocious Schuster. Given his role in the Pride jersey saga, a lot of Seibold's work may well revolve around the man who will have to try and fill the boots of Kieran Foran in #6.

If that doesn't pan out, Seibold will surely be considering his options. There will undoubtedly be a temptation for Manly to contemplate trialling Tom Trbojevic in the five-eighth position as a "plan B" in the 2023 pre-season. With Walker's departure, Schuster may be better suited to filling in the utility role off the bench.

However, the best chance for the side to bounce back and play to their potential - which means making the top 8 comfortably - will be to keep 'Turbo' injury free and starting in the #1 jersey every week. As solid as he is, Reuben Garrick simply lacks the pace and threat at the back to give Manly that extra dimension in attack. If Schuster and DCE can gel in the halves, with Croker improving all the time and the tireless Jake Trbojevic wearing the #13, Manly absolutely has the depth and talent to go deep into the finals series - if they can stay free of drama.

2023 Best 17

at time of writing

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Brad Parker
4. Tolutau Koula
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Josh Schuster
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Aloiai
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Toafofoa Sipley
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Kelma Tuilagi
13. Jake Trbojevic
    
    
14. Sean Keppie
15. Ben Condon
16. Taniela Paseka
17. Ben Trbojevic

Statistics: Rugby League Project