Manly Sea Eagles fans have become increasingly frustrated with their side after being embarrassed at home to the Newcastle Knights, despite both Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown coming off injured. The Sea Eagles were coming off a home loss to the Raiders last week and were looking to get their first win of the season against the Knights who are already looking like a different team than the one that got the wooden spoon in 2025.
Ponga tore Manly apart in the first-half, before the fullback appearing inured himself as he ran away for a try. The fullback tried to play on to see out the half, but eventually came from the field and walked straight down the tunnel in a worrying moment for Knights fans.
Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold (pictured right) has come under pressure after his side suffered their second loss of the season, while the Newcastle Knights lost both Kalyn Ponga (pictured left) and Dylan Brown were injured in the game. (Images: Getty Images)
And a few minutes later, Brown set-up a try after breaking the line. Although he went down clutching at his knee from the tackle. Brown didn’t come back out for the second-half with Sandon Smith left to take over the general duties with the Knights 30-10 up.
Despite missing their two star players worth an estimated $3 million, the Knights built on their lead having won 36-16 with Smith controlling the away side with aplomb in the final 40 minutes. Ponga is hoping he isn’t out for too long.
“There was a bit of an overstride when I made that palm,” Ponga said. “At least we scored. It’s not ideal two playmakers going down, but the boys did the job for us massive. Last time I did a hammy was 2018 I think, so I don’t really know (how bad it is). Fingers crossed it’s best news, I want to be back out there next week.”
While this is a significant blow for the Knights who have started their season 2-0, they should be welcoming back Fletcher Sharpe. The five-eighth looked electric in his first appearance against the Cowboys in round one, before injuring his knee.
The Knights initially hinted Sharpe should be back for round three, which could see Sharpe return just in time with Ponga and Brown out. Sharpe could slide in right alongside Smith in the halves when they host the Warriors next week to keep the former Roosters star controlling the side.
Kalyn Ponga (pictured right) injured his hamstring in the win over the Sea Eagles.
(Matt King via Getty Images)Anthony Seibold under pressure at Manly
While there was mixed news for Knights fans, it wasn’t so good for the home team. Fans starting to become increasingly frustrated with coach Seibold who appears to be under immense pressure to keep his job. Manly failed to make the top eight last year with a poor end to the season seeing them miss out on NRL finals footy. And they have now started their 2026 season with two defeats with the thrashing at home to the Knights prompting some backlash.
The Sea Eagles looked rudderless throughout the second-half even though they were attacking a Knights team that had replaced two of their backs in the contest. The Knights forward pack still dominated Manly’s, while Luke Brooks and Jamal Fogarty failed to steer the team around the park.
Sea Eagles head coach Anthony Seibold (pictured middle) has come under pressure after being thrashed at home in round two.
(Matt King via Getty Images)
Coach Seibold has come under the most criticism with fans disagreeing with some of his selections after a number of years at the helm of Manly. Many were upset young playmaker Joey Walsh wasn’t on the bench to put pressure on the halves.
Seibold opted to leave Walsh out of the 19 against the Knights so he got more time in NSW Cup. Although calls are growing for a change and Seibold might need to do something drastic to turn the ship around. Seibold said it wasn’t time to panic with the coach confident the team could bounce back after their bye.