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.

How is Lachlan Croker replaced?

A big blow over the off-season for Manly is the retirement of Lachlan Croker, owing to various concussion issues.

The dummy half, who is set to retain a coaching role with Manly, has developed into one of the game's most hard-nosed players in recent seasons.

Originally a half, then a stop-gap dummy half, then a big-minute, high-production talent in the middle third, Croker was an easy pick and forget for Manly.

That wasn't so much the case in 2025, though, as he battled through his injuries and concussions.

Manly, seemingly preparing for this exact event, added Zach Dockar-Clay from the Sydney Roosters over the off-season, while they also have Jake Simpkin embedded into their system.

But it's Zaidas Muagututia who potentially brings the most excitement with him.

He has 19 NSW Cup games under his belt, and could be primed to make his NRL debut this year in the number nine jumper. By all reports, he has had a cracking pre-season.

Manly having three options to try and replace Croker certainly isn't a negative.