Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold is facing mounting pressure after crisis talks with players were sparked by a dismal performance against the NRL’s last-placed team. The team’s recent defeat at the hands of the Gold Coast Titans has pushed them down to 11th on the NRL ladder, leaving fans and club insiders concerned about the direction of the season and the state of internal dynamics within the playing group.
Following the shocking loss, reports from The Sydney Morning Herald indicate that Seibold held extended one-on-one discussions with multiple players to share his frustrations and concerns. However, these efforts to address the slump reportedly caused further tension, with some players not responding well to the coach’s feedback or tactical approach.
Despite the Sea Eagles possessing a roster brimming with talent, their inconsistency and inability to close out matches have exposed deeper issues. There is growing talk that not all players are fully aligned with Seibold’s game strategies or coaching philosophy. While the disagreements are reportedly not personal, the disconnect relates to Seibold’s specific methods, particularly his approach to tactical periodisation and the overall structure of his game plans. Some players are said to be unconvinced and, crucially, not entirely committed.
Fox League’s James Hooper, speaking on NRL 360, suggested the cracks within the club widened significantly after club captain Daly Cherry-Evans (DCE) announced his decision to leave Manly at the end of the season. According to Hooper, that decision created a major internal shockwave. “The DCE decision pulled the pin out of the hand grenade,” he said. “There are a lot of issues. A hell of a lot going on at the Manly Sea Eagles.”
Hooper further claimed that the fallout from Cherry-Evans’ departure hasn’t sat well with some senior figures, notably Jake Trbojevic. “I don’t think those two are ever going to be close again,” he remarked. The perceived fracture in relationships between senior players has added another layer of instability to a club already under siege.
Manly’s season has unraveled in several key ways. On top of internal friction, they’ve been hit with injury setbacks—most notably involving star fullback Tom Trbojevic, whose persistent fitness problems have again disrupted his season. Reports suggest he may be shifted to the centres upon returning from the bye round, in hopes of managing his workload. Meanwhile, Jason Saab, once considered a key attacking weapon, may be dropped to reserve grade, further reflecting the instability within the squad.
Veteran rugby league journalist Brent Read also weighed in, confirming that tensions have been brewing behind the scenes. “There’s no doubt there is friction,” Read said. “They are juggling a lot of balls at the moment at Manly.”
This crisis has arrived at a time when Manly was widely predicted to be a serious finals contender. But their inconsistent performances, particularly unexpected losses to teams like the Titans, Eels, and Knights—games they were either expected to win or had leads in—have cast major doubt over their ability to reach the top eight, let alone challenge for a title. The loss to Newcastle, where they blew a 16-0 advantage, has especially stung supporters.
Fan discontent has only added more fuel to the fire, with growing calls for accountability and better results. The pressure is naturally falling on Seibold, whose tenure is now under greater scrutiny.
Despite the unrest, Manly CEO Tony Mestrov has publicly backed Seibold for the moment, seeking to calm speculation about the coach’s future. Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald, Mestrov said, “At the moment, Seibs is safe at this point. Seibs understands this as well as I do—it’s all about winning games.”
This vote of confidence comes with an implied warning: the Sea Eagles’ season needs to turn around, and fast. The remaining games after the bye will be critical in determining whether Seibold retains the trust of both the boardroom and the dressing room. Even with the CEO’s current backing, there’s a clear sense that results must improve, or change could be inevitable.
The situation at Manly underscores a broader challenge facing many modern NRL clubs—how to maintain unity and belief within a squad when on-field results are poor, and when the leadership group becomes fractured. Cherry-Evans’ impending exit appears to have disrupted the leadership structure, and with Jake Trbojevic reportedly unsettled, and Tom Trbojevic struggling physically, the team’s core seems increasingly unstable.
Meanwhile, the noise around Seibold’s coaching style won’t go away. According to Hooper, it’s not a matter of personality clashes but rather a fundamental lack of buy-in. “It’s just the way he presents the tactical periodisation and all of that. Some of the players aren’t entirely invested in what he’s doing,” Hooper said.
What was expected to be a competitive campaign is now looking more like a salvage operation. The team still has time to rebound, but the clock is ticking. The bye week offers a brief respite, yet with matchups against strong teams on the horizon, there is no easy path back to contention.
In the coming weeks, Manly’s fate could rest on whether Seibold can mend relationships inside the locker room and inspire a turnaround—or whether continued underperformance forces the club’s hand. If the internal divide continues to widen and the losses mount, the Sea Eagles may have no choice but to reconsider their long-term plans, including who leads them into 2026.
For now, the official stance is that Seibold remains at the helm—but behind closed doors, patience is wearing thin, and the next chapter in Manly’s turbulent 2025 season is yet to be written.
