The pressure is well and truly on Anthony Seibold heading into 2026.

After making the finals in 2024, the Sea Eagles went backwards last season and looked like a side short on direction. The ongoing speculation around Daly Cherry-Evans' future and reports of tension with Seibold's coaching methods created a year of noise and inconsistency.

Now, with Cherry-Evans officially gone to the Sydney Roosters and former prop Jason King appointed CEO, the Sea Eagles enter a new era. There is still plenty of talent in the side, but the team's best players need to start delivering again. Tom Trbojevic's fitness and confidence remain central to Manly's hopes, yet even at his best he can't do it alone. Several senior players must step up if the Sea Eagles are to return to finals contention in 2026.

These are the five players most crucial to that turnaround.

2. Jamal Fogarty

Jamal Fogarty joins Manly with the task of becoming their new on-field general. After steering the Raiders to a minor premiership in 2025, he arrives with leadership, experience and control, but there are still key areas of his game that must improve if he's to take the Sea Eagles forward.

Fogarty guided Canberra effectively through the regular season, yet the finals once again revealed gaps under pressure. In the semi-final loss to Brisbane, Canberra's last-play options and field-goal setups fell apart, exposing poor communication and execution. Fogarty has been criticised for his approach in big moments. He doesn't go missing, but his ability to nail clutch plays must get sharper.

Why his role is important:
Fogarty steps into the jersey once owned by Cherry-Evans, one of Manly's all-time greats. His leadership, kicking game and direction will shape how quickly this side can find consistency. Manly have lacked composure late in games, and Fogarty's experience is key to changing that.

What needs to improve:
His kicking remains top-tier, but Fogarty's running game is underused. When he takes on the line, he gives Manly shape and unpredictability.

He must also improve his edge defence and communication during crucial phases of play. At 30 years old, he's still relatively fresh for a halfback, having been a late bloomer in the NRL. If he can take full control of the side early, improve his decision-making under pressure and complement Luke Brooks' attacking instincts, Manly will be a far more dangerous outfit in 2026.

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