When Kieran Foran took over as interim coach of the Sea Eagles in late March, all Manly fans were looking for was hope.
A reason to believe.
Watch every game of every round of the Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
They found it in something that felt familiar, and in someone that reminded them of better days.
Of a time when the Sea Eagles were synonymous with success. When Steve Matai was the NRL’s most feared hit man and a different band of brothers were the face of a golden era on the Northern Beaches.
But hope is a dangerous thing, and what began as the feel-good story of the 2026 season has instead largely left the club back where it started.
Sure, there is a new coach and clearly there was a need for it. After all, you don’t go sacking Anthony Seibold just three games into a season if you aren’t confident he is no longer the right man for the job.
But did that mean Foran was?
He had initially signed up to join his former club as assistant coach, working under Seibold for the next two years.
Instead, just 139 days after his last game as a player, he had been thrown in the deep end; not that Foran saw it that way.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
Foran when he was appointed full-time head coach. Picture: Tim Hunter.Source: News Corp Australia
“Nothing’s been straightforward in my life and my footy career,” he said at the time.
“I’ve had to fight and scrap for every, every inch that I’ve got and I certainly haven’t walked away from challenges just because of the fear, fear of what might be out there.
“I’ve always taken it head on and if I failed, I’ve failed so dear and greatly.”
But Foran was far from a failure, at least early on. In fact, the promotion couldn’t have gone any better had it been penned by a Hollywood script-writer.
Even now, with Manly’s season spiralling out of control and the early success the club had under Foran looking more like the sugar-hit it was first feared to be, his first year at the helm won’t go down as a failure.
It can’t when this isn’t the roster that Foran put together. But soon, Foran will have the chance to right the wrongs of his predecessors.
Although as Foran said himself, he may have to “fight and scrap for every inch” as he looks to rebuild a roster which one club great warned needs to have “the big broom” put through it.
And that may mean a few uncomfortable, but necessary, conversations.
SO, WHAT’S GONE WRONG?
“That’s the million-dollar question,” Braith Anasta told foxsports.com.au.
Just a month after Foran took over as interim coach, he was already making history.
A 33-18 victory over Parramatta made Foran the first coach to ever take over an NRL team mid-season and win his first four games in charge.
Chants of ‘Seibold out’ were long gone. Instead, Sea Eagles fans were calling for the club to give the premiership-winning five-eighth a lifetime contract.
Keep the good times coming. Sign him up as long as you want.
So, Manly did just that, offering Foran a three-year contract extension that saw him become the club’s new permanent head coach.
‘Fozball’ was in full force at that point.
Manly renamed its home ground Foz Pines Park for its first game since Foran’s extension was announced. Even the local KFC got in on the hype, replacing Colonel Sanders with an image of Foran.
The Sea Eagles won that game against South Sydney, entering the Round 15 bye in third place.
Once destined for the wooden spoon, Manly now seemed finals-bound under Foran.
A spectator holds up a Kieran Foran poster. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty ImagesKieran Foran laps up the win at ‘Foz Pines Park’. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Supplied
“It was a fresh start,” Anasta said.
“A new face. A fresh voice.
“You’d been hearing rumours about Seibold and the players being unhappy with him for quite a while.
“So, I think just to have someone come in that was just a breath of fresh air was definitely an energy booster. He simplified the game plan and just the effort, areas and their enthusiasm, support play on the ball was top shelf.”
A 13-12 loss followed to the Bulldogs. But no reason to panic, especially after the Sea Eagles then put 30 points on the Storm. Even a season-ending injury to Luke Brooks couldn’t sour the mood.
Sure, it was disappointing, especially for Brooks who was enjoying a career-best resurgence under Foran. But this was what the Sea Eagles had Joey Walsh for. The future had arrived.
Except, the seemingly solid foundations that Foran had built instead started to crumble.
The Sea Eagles were stuck on 999 wins when they faced the Eels at CommBank Stadium in early July. They still are.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!
“I cop it from Bulldogs fans!” | 05:26
Manly has now dropped six-straight games to crash out of finals contention, conceding the most points (32) on average during that period.
They also sit in the bottom three for points scored (16), run metres (1357) and tackle busts (29.8) while their completion rate (74%) is the worst in the league.
The Sea Eagles are no longer winning the possession battle and are struggling to make the most of the few chances they have in the opposition 20, with the third worst redzone attack.
Unfortunately, their redzone defence is even worse with the Sea Eagles conceding a try every 6.9 tackles inside their 20. That ranks second-worst in the league.
FOZBALL’S DOWNFALL IN NUMBERS
Rounds 5-17 (rank)
Attack
Points Scored – 29.1 (4th)
Run Metres – 1579 (2nd)
Net Linebreaks – 2.9 (1st)
Net Tackles in Opp 20m – 9.8 (1st)
Completion Rate – 82% (3rd)
Defence
Points Conceded – 14.1 (1st)
Run Metres Conceded – 1332 (3rd)
Missed Tackles – 31.1 (1st)
Tackles per Try Conceded in Own 20m – 13.6 (1st)
Rounds 18-24 (rank)
Attack
Points Scored – 16 (15th)
Run Metres – 1357 (15th)
Net Linebreaks – -2.8 (16th)
Net Tackles in Opp 20m – -2.5 (12th)
Completion Rate – 74% (17th)
Defence
Points Conceded – 32 (17th)
Run Metres Conceded – 1517 (11th)
Missed Tackles – 39.3 (9th)
Tackles per Try Conceded in Own 20m – 6.9 (16th)
The Sea Eagles are struggling. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“They look like they’re running with less intent. They’re not hitting as hard (in defence) or putting their body on the line as much as they were,” Anasta said.
“Their roster is average. They’ve got players on big money in key positions that are out. That hurts as well.
“I wouldn’t have said that it was inevitable that this was going to happen. It looked really good.
“That sugar hit has worn off and that shows that there’s a deep-seated problem.”
Just how deep do the issues at Manly run? Well, according to Anasta the lack of depth is the result of a bigger problem at the club that starts with its junior development and pathways.
THE ‘RUTHLESS’ REALITY IN PATHWAYS PROBLEM
As a player manager, Anasta talks to a lot of different people in and around the game.
That includes the clubs themselves to see what sort of opportunity they could offer to his clients as they look to become NRL stars of the future.
When it comes to the Sea Eagles specifically, Anasta said they are falling behind and have been for a number of years now.
“You see what clubs are like and their pathways and money that goes into their pathways and development, and they’re way behind other clubs,” Anasta said.
“A lot of their recruitment is hamstrung because they don’t have the access to funds that other clubs like the Roosters and Bulldogs and Penrith have.
“That just shows if you’re not putting a lot of time and effort and dollars in the pathways and development, it’ll catch you out in the long run.”
The Sea Eagles have recently started the process of changing that perception, opening the $32.5 million Centre of Excellence in 2023 while also unveiling its $160 million vision to transform Brookvale Oval earlier this year.
The Centre of Excellence was a major step in the right direction considering the club had been previously operating out of outdated facilities, with demountables offices at their North Narrabeen training fields.
Joey Walsh has been a great find. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
“That was years ago but they’ve kind of always been a little bit behind in that area,” Anasta said, adding that the Sea Eagles still look like an “old-school club”.
“These days rugby league is ruthless and if you’re not 100 per cent putting in, I suppose, what other clubs are and the professionalism and the amount of money you’re going to fall behind.”
The results this year beyond the NRL speak for themselves.
The Sea Eagles are running dead-last in NSW Cup with just one win and 19 losses while their Jersey Flegg team is second-last with a 4-15 record.
The SG Ball squad fared much better, finishing fourth while the Harold Matthews side ran seventh.
So there could be a fresh injection of young blood on the horizon, but in the short-term the Sea Eagles have a dearth of ready-made talent to step in to replace underperforming NRL players.
Obviously Joey Walsh has established himself as a locked in first grader and potential superstar of the future in the halves, while Onitoni Large is also highly-rated.
He, like Walsh, will just have to bide his time with Luke Brooks and Jamal Fogarty both contracted for at least next year, although Large doesn’t have a deal beyond 2027 so the Sea Eagles are incentivised to show a clear plan to him or risk losing the five-eighth.
Brother Ashton could be the long-term answer at hooker too. Manly has plenty of solid options but lacks a clear-cut starter who could eventually emerge as one of the NRL’s best players at the position.
That could be Ashton, who foxsports.com.au’s Ethan Lee Chalk understands the club is keen to lock down on a long-term extension along with brother Onitoni.
Ashton (L) and Onitoni (R) Large. Picture: New South Wales Rugby LeagueSource: News Corp Australia
Hugo Hart, who grew up playing American football and was recruited from prestigious rugby school St Joseph’s Nudgee College, is also on the cusp of making his NRL debut.
The Sea Eagles also recently nabbed exciting Warriors prospect Kayliss Fatialofa while Australian Schoolboys prop Simione Laiafi has already played first grade and like Hart, figures to be a key part of the club’s future forward pack.
Some other names to keep a lookout for include Zaidas Muagututia (hooker), Navren Willett (winger), Sifa Oldfield (backrow), Khyanu Mahon (lock) and Anders Johansson (centre).
It is an impressive list at the top, but the biggest concern for the Sea Eagles is the lack of depth beyond that. It is a problem that seems to be filtering through to the NRL squad too.
“They’ve got to invest more in their pathways and development,” Anasta said.
“There was a period there where they were getting a lot of players from out west, which is when they had the Fainus and Schuster. They had a number of guys come in that were like the next biggest thing.
“It didn’t quite work out… they didn’t get it entirely right, but there was still an element of excitement and they were investing more into that area.
“I don’t think that’s happening right now. You look at the Bulldogs and what they have done. I think they’ve even got relationships with clubs up north and schools and Gus has done a lot of that.
“Penrith has got unbelievable pathways and development because they’ve got access to it all. The Roosters have bought an apartment complex and have an academy.”
Now, any discussion about pathways and junior development also has to consider the demographic of a particular region and in the case of Manly, it is a smaller geographic catchment while the increased cost of living on the Northern Beaches is also a factor.
The Sea Eagles have taken steps this year to get their own backyard right first, starting with the introduction of an elite player academy.
St Augustine’s College is across the road from Brookvale Oval and was the home of five-eighth Joey Walsh. Joey (middle) pictured with St Augustine’s students who are also in the Manly Pathways program, at the Manly centre of Excellence. Picture: Jonathan NgSource: News Corp Australia
According to the club, around 80 per cent of the Harold Matthews squad and 60 per cent of the SG Ball squad were local juniors. Both teams reached the finals for the first time in five years.
Manly’s junior pathways and development manager, Blake Cavallaro, said the club’s “priority” is developing its local talent and that word — development — is key according to Anasta.
“Development’s everything,” he said.
“If you don’t get developed and you’re not in a good system or if you’re not getting given every opportunity to be the best player you can be, then really the pathways is irrelevant because you don’t get developed.
“If you can get your development right, and you get your opportunity to play first grade, you instantly become worth these days half a million dollars plus. Clubs have got to look at that.
“That’s going to attract your talent and then we’re going to turn that talent into superstars. That’s what the big clubs are doing, and that’s where they’re having a lot of success.”
However, even if the Sea Eagles tasted success in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions this season, it will still be a few years at least before they reap the rewards.
There is no guarantee it will translate to results at the NRL level right away either, so what do the Sea Eagles and coach Foran need to do in the interim to make sure the club is in a better shape when the stars of the future arrive?
WHY THE ‘BIG BROOM’ NEEDS TO COME OUT IN ROSTER SHAKE-UP
Well, it starts with the roster — and it could see some “stalwarts” of the club be tapped on the shoulder.
At least, that is the opinion of Manly great Peter Peters.
He went as far as to claim he could not remember a “worse Manly pack” than the one that took the field against the Dolphins.
Injuries have obviously taken their toll with Taniela Paseka, Ethan Bullemor, Kobe Hetherington and Siosiua Taukeiaho all sidelined, but that speaks to the poor depth Manly has — particularly up front.
“They’ve got young guys in there that aren’t ready, they’ve got old guys that should have gone,” said on ‘The Big Sports Breakfast Weekend’.
“I’ve got every faith in Kieran Foran. He inherited the current roster when he took over. He did a great job early.
“But he probably found out pretty quickly he’s got 20 NRL players and 10 that are far from it and the players that are far from it have had to play and haven’t been good enough.
“The recruitment has been poor. He’s inherited that. He’s inherited the coaching staff, and I think you’ll see him put his mark on the club at the end of the season with some big shake-ups.
“It needs to be done. He’s got the CEO Jason King who will help him. He’s smart and knows Manly inside out… the big broom needs to come out.
“Unfortunately some stalwarts of the club will have to be tapped on the shoulder and that has to happen for them to rebuild and start just about all over again.”
Foran has some big calls to make. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Peters isn’t the only Sea Eagles legend to feel that way either.
Anthony Watmough believes the initial resurgence under Foran’s watch “masked” bigger issues at the club.
“Our juniors, our pathways haven’t been recruited well, our depth is lacking. I don’t reckon we’ve got a Top 30, I reckon we’ve got a Top 20 that we could choose from,” Watmough said on FanaticsTV.
“I know Foz would be pulling his hair out because he understands where we’re at.
“In my opinion, we’re almost at a rebuild stage, we definitely need a couple of front rowers, and I think we’re just lacking one or two mature players in that squad, that we’re going to lose over the next couple of years.
“If we don’t get this next period right, we’re going to be in a bit of trouble for the next five years, and this isn’t Fozzie’s team, remember, he’s inherited all of this.
“I thought he’s done a phenomenal job to get them to where they’re at, but at the moment, he’s still picking the bones out of what he’s got there.”
So, what does Foran have to work with?
Brimson granted Titans leave permission | 00:32
Outside backs
Starting in the outside backs, there is plenty of speed and youth starting with Lehi Hopoate (2027) and Tolu Koula (2031) while the club also recently extended Clayton Faulalo until 2029 after he impressed in Tom Trbojevic’s absence.
The Sea Eagles are hoping to get Hopoate locked in on a long-term extension soon, but it is a far more complicated picture when it comes to extending Trbojevic (2027) after another injury-interrupted season.
“Tommy’s a gun but every year he’s playing less games and every year he’s not going to get better from here on in because he’s getting to the back end of his career,” Anasta said.
“That’s just life. We’ve all been there.
“Faulalo is a good player, and he’s been very good when Tommy hasn’t been there.
“That whole debate around centre or fullback, I don’t know anymore. Tommy is at that period where it’s really hard to know what to even do with him and where to play him.
“I think that’s a conversation for Foz and him to have. But it’s not like you’ve got a superstar to cover him when he was not there. If he’s the best option at fullback you play him at fullback. But does that impact the squad if he’s in and out with injuries? It’s really hard.”
It is only made harder by the fact the Sea Eagles need to be sure Trbojevic is still their fullback of the future, because otherwise if they move him to the centres that could mean another pay cut.
A selfless Trbojevic already took a $400,000 pay cut to remain at Manly when he signed a one-year extension last year. Is he prepared to do that again?
Otherwise, Jason Saab, Starford To’a and Josh Feledy round out the other more established players in the backline.
Tom Trbojevic returns to the field this week. Picture: NRL ImagesSource: News Sport Network
Halves and hooker
The Sea Eagles are also stacked for options in the halves with Jamal Fogarty and Luke Brooks locked in as their first-choice pairing, although with Brooks coming off a torn ACL the club could look to the future and prioritise developing Joey Walsh.
If that is the case, they could also experiment with Brooks at hooker given Manly doesn’t have a clear answer at the position.
Brandon Wakeham has outkicked expectations after starting the season on a train-and-trial deal before being upgraded to a development contract, and now he is in a position to earn a long-term extension at the club.
Jake Simpkin is also locked in until 2028 while the versatile Zach Dockar-Clay is on the books next year.
Zaidas Muagututia is also one to watch coming through the grades, although Ashton Large has been earmarked as Manly’s potential long-term solution in the No.9 jersey.
There isn’t much on the market for Foran to target either. Wayde Egan is the best of the bunch coming off-contract at the end of 2027, but otherwise it is the likes of Blake Mozer, Ryley Smith and Tom Starling.
They are all solid options, but not necessarily clear upgrades on what the Sea Eagles already have.
Luke Brooks suffered a season-ending injury. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
The forward pack
The real problem for Manly, however, is up front.
The nucleus of a solid pack is there with Haumole Olakau’atu locked in until 2031 while Kayliss Fatialofa, Taniela Paseka, Kobe Hetherington, Ethan Bullemor and Davvy Moale are also on the books through to the end of 2029.
But beyond there, Foran has some tough calls to make with brothers Jake and Ben Trbojevic off-contract at the end of next year along with Corey Waddell.
You would have to think Jake is one of those club stalwarts that will be moved on after agreeing to a one-year extension, but again there aren’t many options on the market for the Sea Eagles to target before next year.
Even for 2027, Xavier Willison headlines a shallow list of front rowers who could immediately lift Manly’s forward pack with Jacob Saifiti and Moses Leota being the other options.
Willison would be the most attractive of the bunch given he is just 24 years old and feels like he is on the verge of really breaking out to become a genuine household name, but he will cost the most because of it.
After all, veteran reporter David Riccio said on ‘NRL 360’ that he is hearing Willison’s camp could be asking for as much as $900,000 to $1 million per season.
It is a lot of money, but he would be worth every cent for a Sea Eagles team that is in desperate need of a true enforcer through the middle.
Broncos prop Xavier Willison. Pic: NRLSource: Supplied
The question is whether they would be able to free up enough salary cap space to pull it off, and that is where some of those uncomfortable decisions will need to be made in the next year.
“Kieran is going to have a whole offseason to make it (the roster) his own now,” Anasta said.
“He’s going to have to put a three or four-year plan in place and instil his own work ethic and values, which we saw when they were on that hot run but consistently now for a long period.
“He’s got to look for players that fit into how he sees he Manly playing and what’s going to take them to them to the next level.
“It’s high intensity. Playing with a lot of courage. Playing very square and very direct. Very simple but effective in numbers.
“He’s probably identifying that as we speak. I would assume there’s going to be some big changes in the pre-season, and definitely over the next 12 to 24 months.”