There is little doubt that Anthony Seibold comes into 2026 as one of the NRL's most under-pressure coaches at the Manly Sea Eagles.

The Sea Eagles have, as a general rule, underperformed in recent seasons. There is no getting around that simple fact.

2025 was an extremely disappointing campaign for the men from the Northern Beaches, with a team that, on paper, should have been in the top eight, missing out comfortably.

Injuries didn't help, but of course, that's not an excuse for anyone other than the South Sydney Rabbitohs, who had to deal with a record-breaking toll of players sidelined throughout the season.

But there is upside for this Manly team.

After that may have been the poorest season of his career, long-term halfback Daly Cherry-Evans makes the move to the Sydney Roosters, with Jamal Fogarty, who piloted the Canberra Raiders to the 2025 minor premiership despite most pundits having them at the bottom pre-season, taking his spot.

The halves won't be a selection question for Manly, but with a host of young talent at the club looking to batter their way into permanent positions, and others potentially on the way out as they head towards the end of their career, Seibold will have some tricky issues ahead at the selection table.

What to do with Reuben Garrick?

Reuben Garrick will be one of the big-name moves at the end of the 2026 campaign, having already agreed to join the Sydney Roosters.

One of the game's best aerial threats, and a great goal kicker to boot, with the ability to play at fullback, wing or centre, he is an excellent recruit for the Roosters.

The Sea Eagles were understandably keen to retain him, while the St George Illawarra Dragons had also made a play for his services.

But before he makes the move to Bondi, he has 12 months to navigate at Manly, who will be desperate to find his best position.

A winger during his formative NRL years, Garrick has shuffled to the centres in recent times with varying levels of success. He is still an excellent attacker on and off the ball, but his defensive issues have been on display at times.

With Tom Trbojevic potentially set to shift into the centres, and Koula almost certain to be the other one, Garrick could well be forced back out to the wing.

That would, in theory, give Manly the best aerial threat in the competition with Garrick and Jason Saab, should he hold onto his spot in Seibold's 17, on either side of the field.