Latest news with #ManlySeaEagles
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say same thing after Manly make 'sad' decision on Tom Trbojevic
The Manly Sea Eagles reportedly held mini-crisis talks on Monday after their latest shock defeat and it's been suggested star fullback Tom Trbojevic is set for a permanent move to centre. Manly were left stunned last Thursday having been humbled at the hands of the Titans to see them drop out of the eight and into 11th place. Manly have now lost three of their last four games and fans have been growing increasingly frustrated with the performances. The Daly Cherry-Evans saga could be starting to take its toll on the playing group with the halfback's next club still not announced. The drama appears to have finally unsettled the fan base with the halfback's form also dipping. But one of the major concerns across the last few weeks has been the fitness and form of Trbojevic. The star fullback is the highest-paid player at the club and was once considered one of the best fullbacks in the game. Although three separate injuries so far in 2025 appears to have hampered the 28-year-old who has looked a shadow of himself this year. And after Trbojevic spent some time at centre last year - when returning from injury - it appears the move could be his new home going forward. Coach Anthony Seibold is under immense pressure to turn things around and reportedly held a seven-minute session with each player over their performances. And in this meeting it was decided Trbojevic would move to centre having visibly lost his mobility and agility this year. This will allow Lehi Hopoate to remain at fullback with the Sea Eagles looking more threatening with his speed and athleticism at the back. And few Manly fans have disagreed with Seibold's move. Only a couple of weeks ago, Bryan Fletcher encouraged Manly to make the move as they waited for Trbojevic to return from injury. "He is way too good, it's clearly evident, he needs to be around the ball because things happen," Fletcher said on SEN Radio. "He is too valuable to this team to be playing on the wing. I know Tom is a terrific has to be in the centres. Things happen around Hopoate." SEN Radio host Jimmy Smith went further and said Trbojevic looked like a 'shell' of his former self. "He is a shell of his former self and it is so sad to see. He can't explode, he has no strength in his legs, he can't break a not Tom Trbojevic. Manly what do you do?" he said on Monday. "It is so sad to see..." The move is expected to see Jason Saab drop out of the backline as Seibold looks to reignite their season. The move could help boost Manly with Seibold facing pressure in the team's two next home games against the Wests Tigers and the South Sydney Rabbitohs. As much as I want Turbo at the back.. this is a good move to, hopefully, give some consistency to our spine which we've lacked for years now.. and it shows in the year to year of yoyo be it mass changes to the spine mid-season is not ideal.. — Silvatails (@Goodsy2008) June 16, 2025 Yes there is Saab goes Garrick to wing and turbo to centre 🤷♂️ — Eaglesrule (@eaglesrule1802) June 16, 2025 I've been saying this all year. — UptheWahs 95 (@CharlieMetge) June 16, 2025 Despite the loss, the Sea Eagles were looking at another horror injury when Haumole Olakau'atu went off clutching at his shoulder. The big second-rower has been Manly's best forward this year and was looking at a season-ending injury. Although the star has avoided shoulder surgery in a welcome boost and could be back after four to six weeks. Another long-term injury would have rocked the club with Taniela Paseka (achilles) already missing from their forward stocks.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
‘There are rumblings': Sea Eagles rocked by three bombshells in one night
Manly has been rocked by three bombshells in one night. The club reached crisis point over the weekend following an ugly loss to the Titans and it emerged on Monday night coach Anthony Seibold is running out of time to prove he deserves to keep his job. Leading Fox League journalist James Hooper said on NRL 360 there are 'rumblings' players are not invested in Seibold's coaching style. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Rugby league journalist Michael Chammas also reported on Monday Seibold may have just two matches to keep his position with the club heading into a make-or-break period of their season. The Sea Eagles looked hapless in a 28-8 loss to the Titans as Des Hasler claimed a much-needed win against his former side. It was the third loss in four games for a Manly team that began the season with expectations of finishing in the top four. Thye sit 11th on the ladder after winning three of their first four games of the season. As reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, the upcoming month of football — where the team has two bye rounds and matches against the Rabbitohs and Tigers — will have 'major ramifications' for Seibold. Seibold's position has been left on even shakier ground after individual meetings with players on Monday that appear to have backfired on the under pressure coach. Chammas reported some players have been left disgruntled as a result of the seven-minute meetings between individual players and the coach. That is just one of several bombs that dropped on Monday, including: — Superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic will be shifted to centre for their next game against Wests Tigers on June 27 with Lehi Hopoate to play the fullback position when he returns from concussion. — The relationship between Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic has been strained; AND — Sections of the dressing room believe there are holes in Seibold's game plan. The most striking rumour surrounds the meetings between players and the under-pressure coach. Chammas said on Nine: 'They were all given a document with criticism around their performances to start the year and where he wants them to improve. 'I was told it didn't go down well with some certain sections of the playing group, the fact that it's providing problems rather than solutions.' Former NSW captain Paul Gallen was blown away when hearing the news on 100% Footy. 'You don't always agree with what your boss says but at the end of the day he's your boss, you've got to respect what the boss says and does,' he said. 'He's putting his name forward and he's the boss out there. When you start questioning the boss that's when things start to go wrong.' It appears things have already gone very wrong. Hooper said the issues extend back to Cherry-Evans' announcement that he will leave the club at the end of 2025. 'There's a hell of a lot going on at the Manly Sea Eagles,' Hooper said. 'The Daly Cherry-Evans decision earlier in the year has not sat well with Jake Trbojevic. I don't think those two are ever going to go for a beer or spend a lot of time together in the future.' He went on to say: 'You've got Anthony Seibold as the coach and there are rumblings his style – nothing personal – just the way the he presents, the 'tactical periodisation', the spread sheets, the game plans they are devising... there's some holes in those and that some of the players aren't entirely invested in all of that. 'And then you have Jake as well who is off contract at the end of 2026 who is getting closer to the end than he is to the start. So there's a lot going on.' Manly's loss to the Titans was compounded when Haumole Olakau'atu suffered a dislocated shoulder — the star forward is facing an extended stint on the sidelines. Daly Cherry-Evans was well below his best in attack but according to Code Sports, of greater concern is Manly's 'attitude problem' in defence, with 34 tackles missed against the Titans. Seibold is staring down the barrel of missing finals twice in his three seasons in charge. Seibold is contracted until the end of 2027, but veteran NRL reporter Phil Rothfield believes rugby league's coaching merry-go-round could be about to go into full swing. Rothfield reported there is a rumour Sea Eagles assistant Michael Ennis 'is being groomed to eventually take over from Seibold', adding: 'Seibold is no certainty to see out his deal unless he can quickly turn Manly's form around.' Waiting in the wings for an NRL head coaching job is Maroons and Cronulla assistant Josh Hannay, while ex-Broncos boss Kevin Walters is keen on a return to the coaching caper. Gold Coast's win over Manly released the pressure valve on Hasler, 64, who is also fighting to keep his job and fulfil a clause on his contract that states the Titans must play finals footy this season. Manly CEO Tony Mestrov told the Herald that the coach 'is safe at this point'. 'Seibs understands this as well as I do, it's all about winning games. Seibs is safe at this point,' he said.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rare good news for Seibold's struggling Sea Eagles
Haumole Olakau'atu has avoided season-ending shoulder surgery in a welcome boost for a struggling Manly side fighting for their NRL season. Scans revealed the former NSW second-rower will miss between four and six weeks after dislocating his shoulder when attempting to score a try during Friday's 28-8 upset loss to Gold Coast. There were concerns for Olakau'atu's season when he trudged off at CBus Super Stadium in the second half, cutting a forlorn figure. A long-term injury would have been the last thing Manly needed given a poor run of form, losing three of the last four, and the ongoing absence of their other most important forward Taniela Paseka (achilles). But given Manly have two byes in the next four weeks, Olakau'atu could end up missing as few as two games, with both of those against current bottom-eight sides in Wests Tigers and South Sydney. The 11th-placed Sea Eagles can ill afford to drop either of those matches as they battle a form slump that threatens their top-eight aspirations. Anthony Seibold's side have lost to three bottom-four sides in Parramatta, Newcastle and the Titans across the past month and will be thankful for a week to regroup over the round-16 bye. Corey Waddell looks the likeliest man to join the back row in Olakau'atu's absence. Lehi Hopoate is set to return from a head knock and push for selection in the backline in round 17, likely forcing Tommy Talau back to the reserves.
Daily Mail
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Ex-Manly star facing hefty ban for 'beyond disgraceful' act that left opponent knocked out
Former Manly Sea Eagles player Alfred Smalley has been blasted online after a shocking tackle that saw him knock out an opposition player. Smalley, 25, played two games for Manly in the NRL back in 2022. He joined Paramatta's New South Wales Cup side in 2025 and turned out for the side on Saturday during their clash against the New Zealand Warriors at Kellyville Park in Sydney. However, with eight seconds left on the clock and his side losing 22-44, Smalley flew off the line and smashed into promising full-back Taine Tuaupiki. The Warriors star, who has made 20 appearances for the club in rugby league's top flight, fell to the floor immediately, jolted by the sheer force of the brutal collision. Smalley then chose to flop his bodyweight onto the Warriors full-back, who appeared to have been knocked out cold. Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guys head off. Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more. — Sam Hewat (@samhewat) June 14, 2025 Alfred Smalley appeared to knock out Taine Tuaupiki with eight seconds left to go in the Warriors' victory over the Eels in the NSW Cup on Saturday A scuffle broke out between both sets of players, while some Warriors stars rushed to the attention of Tuaupiki, who was lying prone on the ground. Smalley was subsequently handed a red card. The 25-year-old would thankfully walk off alongside medical staff after the ugly hit, which some social media users described as a 'dog shot'. Sam Hewat was one of them, with the rugby league commentator reposting the video on his X account, writing: 'Absolute dog shot here to the head of Taine Tuaupiki in NSW Cup. ZERO leeway for this in our game. 10 seconds to go in the match, down by 22 points, and you fly inside two of your own defenders to try and take a guy's head off. 'Justifiably sent off in the game but should get more.' Fans joined Hewat in their outrage at the ugly tackle. 'Diabolical,' one wrote. 'Bro wtf?' said another. One X user added: 'Shocking.' While one said: 'That's beyond disgraceful. He should have the book thrown at him.' Smalley made his NRL debut in the 2022 season for Manley against the Roosters. He'd later join up with North Sydney in the NSW Cup before going on to join Parramatta earlier this year. The victory sees the Warriors extend their lead at the top of the NSW Cup Ladder by three points over St George. The Eels, meanwhile, sit seven points adrift in third place. It is understood that Tuaupiki was cleared to board the flight home to Auckland on Saturday following the incident.
Daily Telegraph
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
NRL 2025: Pitch invader grabs Daly Cherry-Evans, comes off second best
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News. It was an eventful evening for Daly Cherry-Evans on Friday night, with the Manly captain grabbed by a rogue pitch invader after Manly's loss to the Gold Coast Titans. The Titans thumped the Sea Eagles 28-8 in a surprise result that leaves Manly's finals hopes hanging in the balance. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. Cherry-Evans had a poor performance with Manly looking rudderless in attack, and his evening took a turn when he was momentarily grabbed by a pitch invader after the game. As Manly and Titans players shared pleasantries on the field post-game, a fan dressed in Manly gear ran onto CBUS Super Stadium and grabbed Cherry-Evans as the halfback was talking to a Manly staff member. Cherry-Evans looked around, startled by the embrace that came out of nowhere, before a swarm of security guards in hi-vis grabbed the intruder and tackled him to the ground. Cherry-Evans didn't look too phased by the incident, which was captured on Fox League's cameras. Kevin Walters said: 'Hang on, there's a bit going on in the background' Yvonne Sampson added: 'There's an over zealous Sea Eagles fan who's ran onto the pitch and looks like he was quickly dealt with by security.' The Sea Eagles fan wrapped his arms around DCE. Photo: Fox League. The fan who grabbed DCE was quickly taken down by security. Photo: Fox League. Daly Cherry-Evans watches a pitch invader get tackled by security. (Photo by) The post-game incident came after a horror performance from Manly and a poor game by Cherry-Evans, disappointing week for the Sea Eagles skipper after being axed by Billy Slater. 'The start of the week was tough, Sunday got the news, Monday had to go to training and face the boys,' Cherry-Evans said. 'After that it honestly started to feel normal. This is not the first time that I've been dropped from the Queensland side. 'So I guess I've had experience to take it on board and like I said pre-game, you can't just worry about the things you can't control, and the initial news was tough but yeah I moved on and thought we were going to come here tonight and play some really good footy. 'Based on our preparation, it looked like all the signs were there and unfortunately the most important part of the week is showing up on game day and we didn't do that.' Cherry-Evans was pressed on whether he saw his Origin axing coming but dodged the question. 'No, I just got the call on Sunday and then just, yeah, moved on from there,' Cherry-Evans said. Daly Cherry-Evans and Anthony Seibold after the loss to the Titans. 'I think I got the call on Sunday which was tough and processed it pretty quickly during the week and moved on, and yeah as I said the focus has been on Manly all this week so it's again disappointing to lose back-to-back games.' Cherry-Evans was then pressed on reports from Sam Walker's manager the Roosters have gone cold on signing him after his form slump. 'No, I'm not, I don't sort of understand that stuff,' Cherry-Evans said. 'Sort of stay out of it. All I can do is control my footy at Manly and speculation will be speculation but yeah, no, just obviously we've just lost a couple in the row so it'd be silly for me to be worrying about stuff like that.' Manly enforced injured in big blow In a big blow for Manly, Haumole Olakau'atu suffered a dislocated shoulder and is facing a lengthy stint on the sidelines. 'He dislocated his shoulder there so he'll get scans over the weekend and if there's bone damage then potentially you have to do reconstruction,' Seibold said. 'If it's muscle only or the ligaments only then potentially you can rehab it over six weeks but he's going to be gone for a while. 'But just summed up the night you know he's going for a try and dislocates his shoulder, so we will miss him of course. He is a quality player.' Seibold admitted his side were outplayed by the last placed Titans. 'We were outplayed, defensively we missed far too many tackles, which is an attitude thing,' Seibold said. Haumole Olakau'atu of the Sea Eagles looks on after getting injured in the loss. (Photo by) 'We actually started really well the first 10 minutes, but after that we were well outplayed so we couldn't get ourselves back in the contest.' Seibold was pressed on why his team has been so inconsistent this season. 'I think mate, it comes back to attitude, being consistent individually, collectively, that's not just the players, that's the staff who've got to come up with some answers because we're a really good footy team, right?' Seibold said. 'Like in our first month of footy, outstanding this year, even like two weeks ago, well three weeks ago, very good against the Broncos and a couple weeks earlier they were really good against the Cowboys, but it's the story of our season. I think we missed the jump there, Titans made us pay.' Seibold took ownership of the side's preparation as they currently sit outside the top eight. 'We've done it every away trip this year, we did it up in Townsville, played really well up there,' Seibold said. Cherry-Evans saved some praise for former teammate Kieran Foran, who was brilliant against his old side. 'He's a good friend and one of the great competitors of our game,' Cherry-Evans said. 'So there was absolutely no doubt he was coming out here tonight to put it over his old side and he did exactly that tonight, he was really good wasn't he?' The result leaves Manly 10th on the ladder heading into a bye, before games against the Wests Tigers and Rabbitohs before another bye. - With Originally published as Pitch invader grabs Daly Cherry-Evans, comes off second best in post-game incident
