Manly have vowed not to be swayed by player power, publicly stating they won’t grant any requests for early releases from the NRL club.
Presumably wishing to respond to the ongoing reports of unrest at the club’s Narrabeen headquarters, the Manly board on Wednesday night moved to assure Sea Eagles fans that they “fully supported” the honouring of contracts.
That put a dampener on the hopes of at least Steve Matai, who has openly admitted he’s asked for an early release, ending his 10-year stint with the club at the end of this season to join the Warriors.
Backrower Anthony Watmough and fullback Brett Stewart are reportedly also seeking to play elsewhere in 2015, apparently over the club not doing enough to retain Brett’s South Sydney-bound brother Glenn.
However, the board also stated that negotiations continue that will “hopefully” result in a number of players remaining with the top-of-the-table Sea Eagles.
Whether those negotiations include the senior trio remain to be seen.
“The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles board has thrown its support behind the head coach and the club’s position around recent player retention,” read the statement.
“Coach Geoff Toovey addressed the board at their monthly meeting this evening where his position on players honouring their NRL contracts with the club was fully supported.”
“Negotiations are ongoing with a number of players that will hopefully see them remain at the club, but these remain confidential.”
Manly have re-signed Jamie Buhrer and Jesse Sene-Lefao, while Canterbury coach Des Hasler on Wednesday denied he was keen to lure Brett Stewart to Belmore.
Finally, the seven-person board – which includes chairman Scott Penn, former player Peter Peters and Julie Sibraa – sought to address the issue reportedly at the root of the unrest claims.
“The board would like to acknowledge their regret at not being able to retain Glenn Stewart but we look forward to seeing him back on the field and farewelling him in the best possible way at the end of the 2014 NRL season,” they said.
The spectator
Guest
Glen's not hellen, stupid spell check
The spectator
Guest
I'm trying EJ but believe me there's possible more bad news coming over this than what's been publicized!! They totally misjudged Gifty's influence which seems to be alot worse than these reports atm. Helens influence of the field is bigger and harder than most players who play for other clubs than there's on it hence a minority actually understanding MANLY, it only took ten years for them to say yeah there a good side, hahaha!
Muzz
Guest
There is such a shortage of quality halves and only a handful that you can win a comp with.When your fortunate enough to have the best halves pairing in the comp, keeping them should be the number 1 priority.
Parrafan
Guest
The fact of the matter is Glenn is constantly on the sideline. WE would all love our old blokes and intergral players to finish off their careers at the clubs they played so well at but the pressure of the salary cap is often too much. Glenn may have been loyal as they come but for the last two seasons he has seen plenty of time on the injury bench. It's a fearless punter who would fork out big money on an injured second rower.
eagleJack
Guest
No doubt the Glenn Stewart saga could have been handled better. But you talk about keeping Kite and Rose as though losing them is a failure on his behalf. I mean how long do you want to keep ageing players for? At some point you need to focus on youth, and re-signing Hiku, Taufua, Buhrer et al and then stashing cash for DCE and Foran for when they are off contract in 2016 is a smart strategy. Since signing elsewhere how many minutes has Stewart played? He has struggled the past 2 seasons with injury. He is a great player and the rock of the team, but you can't hold onto the past forever. Again it could have been handled better and they will have learnt from that. If losing older players is a sign of a failed CEO, then there isn't a successful CEO out there. And Rugby League is a business. Peter Peters may not understand that. And other Leaguies may not have grasped that concept yet too. But you fail off the field and there is no point in having any players at all. The club will be swallowed up and disappear. Anyway, there isn't much to worry about for another 18mths so let's just enjoy 2014 and 15.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Wolfman, Luaki, Berryman,!!!
The Spectator
Roar Guru
Ok Mr Perry, your turned your first profit but why does will need a sponsor ! signing Luaki and Berryman and resigning Williams over Gifty and not even a conversation for his onfield brilliance and of field leadershp over such a long period not deserve an explanation? Buisness may be your thing however League is a different beast, then theres MANLY and i hope for the clubs sack you dont let what these boys have built slip through your fingers while prentending to juggle as well.
Schuey
Guest
I am an actually an accountant. Is it that obvious?.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
And I remember when manly was made up of mainly Norths, Souths and Wests players.
Ret
Guest
The same Des Hasler who debuted at Penrith and finished playing at Wests? Yep "son of manly" alright. I actually respect Manly (the team, fans not so much) as they continue to perform regardless of board disunity, giving the finger to Jack Gibson's theory that success begins in the front office. Any Manly fans going into bat for Zorba? He seems to be even more useless as an administrator, than he was as a player.
james t
Guest
I'm sorry only 2? Hasler, Kelly Egan (our assistant coach now your assistant coach.but you knew that didnt you?) recruitment guru Noel Cleal, development officer Dave Warwick and social media manager Jess Ivers and Sprint coach Clayton kearney. And tony Williams. Hodkinson years before. The bEagles you are. As one fan put it. The bulldogs, manlys ugly sister!
Phil
Guest
Gee mate you ought to be an auditor
Phil
Guest
Oh yoh you did real well - lost arguably the best coach in the world and wound up with the abridged version. A poor unfortunate who doesnt know when to shut up. Congratulations.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Go back to the Doctor and tell him those pills he gave you are causing some serious side effects. You do realise we were in the 2012 grand final, so have plenty of the players now that played in that game. As for Manly coaching staff, we got 2, Des and Noel Cleal. Des who you guys didn't want to pay money to even after he had done all he had for you club. Only when the Dogs offered a fair market price you guys up the ante, but for Des, he knew that it was all smoke and mirrors. As for the spoon, that was just poor recruitment, and we had got back to the semi's after getting that spoon, just had a coach who was struggling to bring the best out of the players we had (and hokko dodgy knees). As I said, lets see if Manly learnt there lesson when it Toovey comes cap in hand to get paid, will you low ball him like you did Des? If you guys do, don't be surprised to see another club come up with the market price for a coach like him.
Schuey
Guest
James, If Glenn Stewart is offered a contract which two mid level players or single top level player would you sell for us to remain under the cap? By not acknowledging the salary cap your comment seems ignorant at best.
james t
Guest
Bulldogs bought not breed? No players left from ur last gf team? More manly players than actual bulldogs players in ur team? Manly coaching.staff? The 'BEagles' as we manly folk call them, under manly son des hasler recieved the spoon not too long ago. It took manly to.bring them back up. Don't for get that bulldogs fans. Toovey coach of the year
james t
Guest
On behalf of all Manly fans. Max when des hasler left manly he effectively went backwards and tainted his legacy. We all loved him, he played for manly won a premiership as a player and two as a coach. He bleeds maroon and white! He will never be loved like he was at manly! Des is a son of manly, and now we sit back like a proud father watching him do it. Des will always be manly Max but you wouldn't understand.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Will he still be cheap when he comes off contract, or will Manly actually pay him properly?
tigerdave
Guest
Yes Des has had an open cheque book, he bought pretty expensive cattle and look at the two teams. Bulldogss are doing just fine, but Toovey is doing better (this week) with a cut price roster.
james t
Guest
If des hasler stayed at manly we would of won the premiership for the last three years. We won in 2011 our biggest competition.in 2012 were the bulldogs, and last year would of been flawless Victory. Possibly even 2014. The dominance would of been bliss, Perry is the main reason for this, how do you not offer the 40 nil god what ever money he wants.. and now he doesn't offer g.Stewart a.contract when its clear as mud what he has done for is over the last ten years.