Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has publicly defended himself following inquiries about his standing with the team amid their challenging season. With the departure of captain Daly Cherry-Evans looming and inconsistent performances creating pressure, Seibold’s position has often been called into question.
Despite these challenges, the Sea Eagles still have an opportunity to secure a spot in the finals, but they will require a near-faultless performance moving forward, particularly against Canberra this weekend. When a journalist probed whether Seibold still had the locker room’s support, he dismissed the question as a mere attempt to provoke headlines. He responded curtly, indicating that it was a ‘pretty average question’ and emphasised that he feels backed by the club, especially after a tough loss to the Roosters.
Seibold did confirm that he believes he provides strong support to his players, reiterating his belief in receiving support in return, yet he remained cautious about elaborating further, insisting that the media was looking for sensationalism.
In preparations for their upcoming match, Seibold announced a strategic change in the lineup, with star player Tom Trbojevic shifting to the fullback position due to young player Lehi Hopoate being sidelined with an AC joint injury. Seibold expressed confidence in Trbojevic’s ability to excel in this role, reinforcing that decisions regarding the team’s setup are based on what he perceives to be best for the team’s performance.
The coach explained that certain choices are made week-by-week, based on player readiness. He noted Hopoate’s inability to participate in full-contact training as a significant factor in their decision-making process. Seibold is hopeful that Hopoate will be fit for future matches, as the team looks to rebound from their current situation and leverage Trbojevic’s experience and talent to bolster their chances of making the finals.
Overall, Seibold’s comments exhibit a mix of resilience and determination as he navigates through a challenging season, all while maintaining belief in his strategies and the capacity of his players.