One of the players in the Manly leadership group has broken his silence over the future of coach Anthony Seibold, declaring: “The boys have his back, and he’s got ours.”
Haumole Olakau’atu was one of several Sea Eagles players to give up a rare free weekend to support the club’s NSW Cup side at Accor Stadium on Saturday evening.
Several NRL players, including Jason Saab and Lachie Croker, had been sent back to reserve grade by Seibold given first grade had the bye.
The sight of Olakau’atu and the Trbojevic brothers – Tom, Jake and Ben – as well as Luke Brooks, Lehi Hopoate and other players in the stands was a clear indication there was no division in the playing ranks.
This masthead revealed during the week pressure was mounting on Seibold to keep his job after losses to the Eels, Titans and Knights in the past month.
Seibold is contracted until the end of 2027, with Sea Eagles’ CEO Tony Mestrov admitting: “At the moment, Seibs 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.”
Manly coach Anthony SeiboldCredit: Getty Images
Olakau’atu, who joined Tom and Jake and Daly Cherry-Evans in the leadership group over the summer, was backing Seibold to turn the club’s fortunes around.
“I’m not worried about all that stuff,” Olakau’atu said.
“Seibs is a good fella, the boys have his back, and he’s got our back as well. Whatever is [being said] out there and on the socials, it’s just that. Inside the circle we’re all sweet.
“We’ve just come here tonight to support the Cup boys. We’re not going too well in grade, the Cup boys aren’t going too well either, but it’s always good when they see us come out to support them, because they’re always supporting us.”
Injured Manly star Haumole Olakau’atu.Credit: Getty Images
Olakau’atu dislocated his right shoulder against the Knights, but avoided surgery, and said he was eyeing a round-22 return against the Sydney Roosters. The injury also cost him the chance of joining the Blues as part of their extended squad for Origin II.
Manly will host the Wests Tigers at 4 Pines Park on Friday night with Trbojevic tipped to be shifted from fullback to the centres in a bid to help him rediscover some form and confidence. The man known as ‘Turbo’ has been battling leg injuries for much of the season, despite producing one the best games of his career in round one against North Queensland. Hopoate is expected to wear the No.1.
It was also revealed during the week that when Seibold brokered a contract extension late last year, he floated the idea of moving into a management role at the end of 2027. That idea prompted Mestrov to gauge the interest of one of Seibold’s assistants, Mick Ennis, about eventually stepping into the top job. Some at the club are also pushing for former Sea Eagle Matt Ballin, now an assistant at the Broncos, to succeed Seibold.
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