2026 preview - Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

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The Manly Sea Eagles look to swoop towards a Premiership after Cherry-Evans leaves the coup.

The boys from Brookvale are eyeing up another tilt at the NRL Premiership with a new look spine, as one legend leaves and another legend looks to cement his legacy.

Tom Trbojevjc, alongside his brother and captain, Jake, have a massive task in taking the Manly Sea Eagles back to the promise land. The loss of Daly-Cherry Evans is something that will take time to adjust to on the field, with Jamal Fogarty sliding straight in off the back of a career-best year to replace the Manly legend.

Another two players in Josh Aloiai and Lachie Croker had to medically retire, while Tof Sipley and Jazz Tevaga went to the northern hemisphere to play in the Super League. That leaves an injury riddled full-back in Tom Trbojevic with a new halfback, hooker and lock while a form-fluctuating Luke Brooks… worrying signs for fans.

What isn't worrying is the talent either coming in from other clubs or through the youth system. Joey Walsh will be pushing for a bench spot having debuted last year, Tolu Koula is primed for another breakout year and Kobe Hetherington will slot straight in off a breakout premiership season with the Broncos.

Anthony Seibold will come into this season under pressure, possibly the coach with the most pressure leading into 2026. A finals appearance, whilst on paper, is almost mandatory for him to keep his job. In reality, Manly will do well to get into September in 2026.

Why they'll win the comp

The back five of the Manly Sea Eagles are one of, if not the most threatening backline in the game. Lead by Tom Trbojevic and Tolu Koula, they lay the platform for the likes of Reuben Garrick and Jason Saab to inflict pain from their own try line.

A fit Tommy Turbo means that he's almost unstoppable. Add in the short threat of Haumole Olakau'atu close to the line, and Manly can score from anywhere on the park. The addition of Jamal Fogarty means that they retain a key gameplay kicker, and a very serviceable second choice place-kicker when Garrick goes down hurt.

Why they won't

The unfortunate issue with the plethora of players leaving the club is that Manly's forward pack has very little depth outside of its likely 17.

Jake Trbojevic is arguably heading into the twilight of his career, his impact dwindling over the past 18 months. Nathan Brown is great off the bench, but also only has one good stint in his locker.

Ethan Bullemor will have a chance to step up as he did so well last year, but should he go down, it'll be up to Taniela Paseka and Siosiua Taukeiaho to drive the attack up the field.

There's also a shortage at hooker, with Jake Simpkin the only recognized hooker with solid NRL experience. Joey Walsh will likely deputise if needed, with Zach Dockar-Clay on the depth chart but it doesn't scream game-changing dummy half. If this squad stays fit, they'll go far. That said, it's the NRL. A squad never has its same 17 for weeks on end.

2026 fixtures

Key Players

Jamal Fogarty walks into this Manly line-up to fill the 330+ game boots of Daly Cherry-Evans. A veteran who is similar to his predecessor, Fogarty has a brilliant kicking game with an ability to run through the line and break a game open.

Coming off his best ever season in which he led the Raiders to their best finish since the infamous 2019 Grand Final, Fogarty will be looking to build on that with a fresh combination alongside Luke Brooks and Tom Trbojevic.

Speaking of the fullback, Tom Trbojevic had a few question marks floating around him and whether fullback was going to be his spot after repeated hamstring injuries in 2025. He responded with some of his best form ever to take the 1 jersey back at the end of the season.

There are still questions around his speed and if his body will hold up to the rigours of another NRL season… but a fit Tom Trbojevic is a dangerous Tom Trbojevic. As long as he's on the field, Manly are a contender.

Rookie to Watch

Joey Walsh made his debut last year and looked like a 100-game veteran in his limited game time off the bench. Easy enough to say in round 27, right?

Manly have reportedly been very impressed in how Walsh has developed over the last six months, leading up to the trial in New Zealand on the 14th of February. A ball-running halfback with good defensive prowess and a frame that he will continue to fill, Manly have pegged Walsh as the man to take them forward into the future.

For now, he will wait behind Jamal Fogarty and Luke Brooks. For how long, remains to be seen.

Player movement

GAINS: Jamal Fogarty (Canberra), Blake Wilson (Canterbury), Kobe Hetherington (Brisbane), Zach Dockar-Clay (Sydney)

COACH: Anthony Seibold
CAPTAIN: Tom Trbjoevic

2026 contracted list: Ben Trbojevic, Blake Wilson, Caleb Navale, Clayton Faulalo, Corey Waddell, Ethan Bullemor, Haumole Olakau'atu, Jake Simpkin, Jake Trbojevic, Jamal Fogarty, Jason Saab, Joey Walsh, Kobe Hetherington, Lehi Hopoate, Luke Brooks, Nathan Brown, Navren Willett, Onitoni Large, Reuben Garrick, Simione Laiafi, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Taniela Paseka, Tom Trbojevic, Tolutau Koula, Zach Dockar-Clay, Zaidas Muagututia

LOSSES from 2025: Daly Cherry-Evans (Sydney), Toafofoa Sipley (Warrington), Lachlan Croker, Josh Aloiai (retired), Tommy Talau (Sydney), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Canterbury), Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Dean Matterson (released), Michael Chee Kam (reitred), Aitasi James (North Sydney)

Predicted Team

1 Tom Trbojevic
2 Jason Saab
3 Tolu Koula
4 Reuben Garrick
5 Lehi Hopoate
6 Luke Brooks
7 Jamal Fogarty
8 Siosiua Taukeiaho
9 Jake Simpkin
10 Kobe Hetherington
11 Ben Trbojevic
12 Haumole Olakau'atu
13 Jake Trbojevic

14 Corey Waddell
15 Ethan Bullemor
16 Taniela Paseka
17 Nathan Brown

18 Joey Walsh
19 Blake Wilson