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.

4. Taniela Paseka

Taniela Paseka was one of the biggest losses for Manly in 2025. He suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon in Round 3, which required surgery and ended his season before it ever really began. At the time of his injury, he was starting to emerge as one of the most promising middle forwards in the NRL, finally beginning to turn his size and strength into consistent performances.

Why his role is important:
Paseka gives Manly their go-forward. When he's fit, he's a genuine starting front-rower who bends the line, generates quick play-the-balls and lays the platform for the Sea Eagles' spine.

His ability to dominate through the middle is what creates time and space for the team's speed and skill out wide. Without him, Manly struggled to gain field position and lost their ability to roll through the middle third.

What needs to improve:
After a serious Achilles injury, Paseka's biggest focus must be building confidence and fitness. The challenge is not just returning but returning to his peak workload.

A full pre-season will be crucial to help him rebuild the strength needed to increase his minutes and maintain his impact late in games. He averaged over 120 metres a match before his injury, and if he can get back to that level of output across a full season,

Manly's pack will be one of the most powerful in the competition.

A fit and firing Paseka takes enormous pressure off the halves and allows players like Tom Trbojevic, Luke Brooks and Jamal Fogarty to play on the front foot. If he can stay healthy and deliver on his potential, the Sea Eagles will be a much tougher side to contain in 2026.

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