The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Manly Sea Eagles 2016 NRL season preview

10th January, 2016
Advertisement
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Roar Guru
10th January, 2016
40
4949 Reads

Manly had a disappointing season last year, missing the finals for the first time since 2004.

Club legend Geoff Toovey was sacked, with the beginning of the ‘Penn era’ flagged by the arrival of Trent Barrett as head coach.

Over 20 players departed the club including Matt Ballin, Kieran Foran, Clinton Gutherson, Peta Hiku and Justin Horo.

A new group was brought in by Bob Fulton, with Test stars Lewis Brown, Martin Taupau, Nate Myles and Dylan Walker joining the club, alongside Apisai Koroisau, Darcy Lussick, Matt Parcell, Isaac John and schoolboy rugby star Tom Wright.

With Brookvale currently divided – those in Toovey’s camp and those in Scott Penn and Fulton’s camp – Barrett muwt unite the team and management under one common goal – to deliver another premiership to the Northern Beaches.

Rookie watch
The Sea Eagles have a handful of rookies ready to take on the rigours of NRL in 2016.

Manly had a standout season in last year’s Holden Cup, falling to the Panthers in the grand final, unearthing plenty of talent along the way.

From last year’s squad, five players graduate to first grade, with four yet to make their debuts – William Bainbridge, Nicholas Hynes, Liam Knight and Brad Parker.

Advertisement

Forwards by trade, Bainbridge and Knight will be looking to muscle their way through the lower grades and earn NRL debuts. Both players impressed last season, with Knight considered one of the best forwards in the NYC. Of the two, Knight is more likely to earn a first-grade cap, however with so many forwards to beat – including Feleti Mateo, Darcy Lussick, Luke Burgess, Josh Starling and Jamie Buhrer – it is unlikely either will get a run.

Parker was impressive on the wing last season and, despite missing the backend of the year, he was pivotal in the Sea Eagles’ campaign. Like Bainbridge and Knight, Parker must get past established first graders Tim Moltzen, Brayden Wiliame and Nathan Green, as well as new recruits Fabian Goodall, Halauafu Lavaka and Tom Wright – he also appears long ends to feature in 2016.

Hynes is the most likely of last year’s NYC team to make his debut in 2016, with the Sea Eagles lacking depth in the halves. If Daly Cherry-Evans or Dylan Walker become unavailable due to Origin commitments, Hynes is a huge chance to make an appearance, however he sits behind former Kiwi Test half John and the injury-ravaged Moltzen.

Manly have attracted Eels NYC graduates Lavaka and Goodall to the club, considered two of the best outside backs in the Holden Cup. A tryscoring machine, Lavaka made 31 appearances between 2012 and 2014 for the Panthers and Eels, crossing the line 32 times. Returning to Manly for the first time since leaving in 2012, Goodall also crossed 32 times over a three-year, 44-game Under-20s career at the Sea Eagles and Eels. Both Lavaka and Goodall are likely to make their debuts in 2016.

Former rugby union players Tom Wright and John Walker are also set to make a splash. While Wright is still eligible for the Holden Cup, he will likely spend most of the season playing in the NSW Cup. Touted as the next big thing, Wright is almost a certainty to make his debut in 2016 with the fullback just one injury or suspension away from starring in the Sea Eagles’ backline.

Walker spent 2015 with the Waratahs Under-20s side, but the second rower is at long odds to debut this season as he sits behind a host of experienced first graders.

Under pressure
The Sea Eagles management, spearheaded by Penn and Fulton, are under pressure to deliver success to Manly in 2016, otherwise the infighting at the club will grow stronger.

Advertisement

Penn and Fulton have already come under fire in Manly circles for sacking Toovey and bringing in Barrett – the first outsider to coach the club in years.

With the club divided, ‘Bozo’ and Penn must prove that their overhaul was worth it.

While the ramifications of missing the finals will not result in either losing their jobs, it will heap more pressure on them, and could see fans and former players walk away from the club.

Can Trent Barrett revive the Sea Eagles?
Barrett has been fortunate enough to score a gig coaching a squad full of Test stars with experience playing in big games and finals, sprinkled in with rookie sensations.

But with a great squad comes great expectations; the downside of Barrett’s job is that he must make his playing group gel in one short preseason, turn around a bad 2015, and deliver finals success in 2016.

It is a huge pressure to put on the shoulders of someone who has never coached first grade before.

The former Country Origin coach and Australia Test star mentored new recruits Brown, Koroisau and John at the Penrith Panthers, and played alongside Brett Stewart and Jamie Lyon for the New South Wales Blues and the Kangaroos.

Advertisement

Is Barrett the man to lead the Sea Eagles into a new era post-Des Hasler and Toovey?

Who will partner Cherry-Evans in the halves?
With Kieran Foran having left Brookvale for the Parramatta Eels, Maroons halfback Daly Cherry-Evans is left without a halves partner.

There are plenty of options, so who will play five-eighth for Manly in 2016?

One option is young winger Tom Trbojevic. The NYC graduate is almost certain to be a member of Barrett’s best 17, however it is unknown where he will play.

Dylan Walker is in contention. The Rabbitohs recruit previously played at standoff with Souths, and could take on a similar role to Corey Norman and Anthony Milford if he is selected to play at five-eighth.

Other options include John, Koroisau, Mateo, Moltzen, Hynes and Wright, any of whom being selected would see Trbojevic or Jorge Taufua pushed back to reserve grade.

Manly Sea Eagles half Daly Cherry-Evans passing

Advertisement

Have Manly got the forward pack to deliver a premiership?
The Sea Eagles have hired more hitmen for their 2016 season, with a strong forward pack starting to come together.

Led by Maroons and Kangaroos prop Myles, Manly have also enlisted Kiwi Test forwards Lewis Brown and Martin Taupau, all of whom will be a huge plus considering the new interchange rules.

Brown and Taupau are both capable of pumping out big minutes, which will allow Myles and the likes of Jake Trbojevic, Blake Leary, Brenton Lawrence and Tom Symonds to make an impact off the bench.

Mateo is another a 60-minute player, which will help Matt Parcell and Koroisau interchange.

Add Josh Starling, Luke Burgess, Darcy Lussick and Jamie Buhrer and Manly are in good hands for season 2016.

Must watch

Round 1 versus Bulldogs
Friday, March 4, 8:05pm at Brookvale Oval

Advertisement

Manly’s season opener is such an important fixture for them. With so many new recruits and some notable absences, the match against the Bulldogs will be Barrett’s first real chance to see the Sea Eagles’ combinations come together, and decide which players are worthy of selection in first grade.

As well, the Bulldogs’ big forwards will provide a much-needed challenge for the Sea Eagles’ new pack.

Round 10 versus Broncos
Saturday, May 14, 7:30pm at Suncorp Stadium

The game against last year’s runners-up at Suncorp Stadium is part of a double header that will also feature the Storm and Cowboys.

Just a week out from State of Origin selection, the likes of Cherry-Evans, Walker and Myles will all be pushing for selection for their respective states – no easy task when coming up against a star-studded team featuring Darius Boyd, James Roberts, Anthony Milford, Ben Hunt, Sam Thaiday, Andrew McCullough, Josh McGuire, Matt Gillett, Corey Parker and more.

Not only will they face a heap of talented players, they will do so in front of over 50,000 Broncos fans.

Predicted best XVII
1. Brett Stewart, 2. Tom Trbojevic, 3. Jamie Lyon (c), 4. Steve Matai, 5. Jorge Taufua, 6. Dylan Walker, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Jake Trbojevic, 9. Matt Parcell, 10. Nate Myles, 11. Blake Leary, 12. Lewis Brown, 13. Martin Taupau
Interchange: 14. Apisai Koroisau, 15. Feleti Mateo, 16. Brenton Lawrence, 17. Tom Symonds

Advertisement

2016 signings
Lewis Brown (Penrith Panthers), Fabian Goodall (Parramatta Eels), Nathan Green (St George Illawarra Dragons), Isaac John (Penrith Panthers), Apisai Koroisau (Penrith Panthers), Halauafu Lavaka (Parramatta Eels), Darcy Lussick (Parramatta Eels), Tim Moltzen (Wests Tigers), Nate Myles (Gold Coast Titans), Matt Parcell (Brisbane Broncos), Martin Taupau (Wests Tigers), Dylan Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs), John Walker (rugby union), Tom Wright (rugby union)

2016 draw (AEST)
Round 1: Sea Eagles versus Bulldogs (Friday, March 4, 8:05pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 2: Wests Tigers versus Sea Eagles (Monday, March 14, 7pm at Leichhardt Oval)
Round 3: Sea Eagles versus Sharks (Monday, March 21, 7pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 4: Roosters versus Sea Eagles (Saturday, March 26, 7:30pm at Allianz Stadium)
Round 5: Sea Eagles versus Rabbitohs (Thursday, March 31, 8:05pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 6: Warriors versus Sea Eagles (Saturday, April 9, 5:30pm at Mt Smart Stadium)
Round 7: Sea Eagles versus Eels (Thursday, April 14, 7:50pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 8: Knights versus Sea Eagles (Monday, April 25, 2pm at Hunter Stadium)
Round 9: Sea Eagles versus Cowboys (Saturday, April 30, 7:30pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 10: Sea Eagles versus Broncos (Saturday, May 14, 7:30pm at Suncorp Stadium)
Round 11: Sharks versus Sea Eagles (Saturday, May 21, 7:30pm at Shark Park)
Round 12: Bye
Round 13: Raiders versus Sea Eagles (Friday, June 3, 7:50pm at GIO Stadium)
Round 14: Sea Eagles versus Panthers (Sunday, June 12, 4pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 15: Titans versus Sea Eagles (Monday, June 20, 7pm at Cbus Super Stadium)
Round 16: Cowboys versus Sea Eagles (Monday, June 27, 7pm at 1300Smiles Stadium)
Round 17: Sea Eagles versus Dragons (Monday, July 4, 7pm at Brookvale Oval)
Round 18: Bye
Round 19: Sea Eagles versus Warriors (Saturday, July 16, 5:30pm at nib Stadium)
Round 20: Rabbitohs versus Sea Eagles (Monday, July 25, 7pm at Allianz Stadium)
Round 21: Sea Eagles versus Knights (July 28-August 1 at Brookvale Oval)
Round 22: Eels versus Sea Eagles (August 4-August 8 at Pirtek Stadium)
Round 23: Bulldogs versus Sea Eagles (August 11-August 15 at ANZ Stadium)
Round 24: Sea Eagles versus Storm (August 18-August 22 at Brookvale Oval)
Round 25: Sea Eagles versus Raiders (August 25-August 29 at Brookvale Oval)
Round 26: Panthers versus Sea Eagles (September 1-September 4 at Pepper Stadium)

Prediction
The Sea Eagles will return to finals football, finishing seventh, but be eliminated in Week 1.

close