The Manly Sea Eagles couldn’t have gotten to a more disastrous start to begin their 2026 campaign, but a crucial selection call could soon define the direction of the club as well as the tenure of head coach Anthony Seibold.

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.

After suffering back-to-back losses including a disappointing performance against an injury-plagued Newcastle Knights, there have been many calls that Seibold should make several changes to the side.

WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.

But according to the NRL 360 panel, one potential selection call looms larger than the rest.

That is whether Seibold is willing to make a tough decision and drop club legend and NSW Blues representative Jake Trbojevic.

“I do think to make big changes at that club there has to be tough decisions coming and that could really unsettle a lot of people,” Fox League’s Paul Crawley said on NRL 360 alluding to the club needing to make some tough calls in the near future.

READ MORE

Prodigy’s huge recall as Broncos rocked by axing, star injury blow — Teams Analysis

NRL rival becomes FIFTH Xerri suitor as s meeting that sparked bitter fallout revealed

‘Insipid’ Alexander blasts Manly | 01:21

Gorden Tallis agreed with Crawley, stating that Jake is no longer the player he used to be, “

“That’s the elephant in the room. He’s just not the leader of the pack anymore. The need to go buy a leader of the pack, if you say there’s no leadership.

“But there’s a role that Jake can play. I think he’s a fantastic guy and he would die for the jersey so that part you keep around but at what price?”

However, Code Sports’ David Riccio warned that if Seibold decides to make the difficult decision to drop Trbojevic, the fallout would be significant and damaging for the head coach.

The veteran journalist stated that the move could be ‘career suicide’ due to his ties at the club and the impact it would have on his two younger brothers – Tom and Ben – as well as the entire playing group.

Has Seibs run his course at Manly? | 01:36

“If Seibold makes the tough call on Jake Trbojevic. The impact on the Trbojevic (brothers) Ben and Tom and that region as far as making that decision on a champion like Jake it will be career suicide,” Riccio said.

Continuing to discuss the future of the older Trbojevic, co-host and former NRL star Braith Anasta pushed back on this idea and said the decision should be made solely on one’s performance.

“I know Jake is a champion human being and we all love him but how’s it career suicide if a player’s not doing their job and whether the brothers are in the team or not,” Anasta said.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – MARCH 15: Jake Trbojevic’s selection has become a major issue for the Sea Eagles.Source: Getty Images

“Are you saying he’s just picking him because he’s a legend of the club and his brothers are in the side”

Riccio added, “I think he has huge influence over the team and he’s a leader. A rare leader at the club.”

“I know what you’re saying but its a tough one,” Anasta continued.

“I hate saying it but if you’re doing that and picking a player just because his brothers are in the team and he’s a legend of a club and a great bloke and not just on performance, then there’s trouble.”

The noise surrounding the future of Jake Trbojevic comes after the club had an abysmal display against the Newcastle Knights last weekend.

Even when superstars Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga exited the field with injuries, they were only able to put one try on the scoreboard and made simple mistakes on both ends of the field in attack and defence.

This was illustrated perfectly when Reuben Garrick took an intercept and broke through the line but no one was following him and once he played the ball, it was immediately taken by the opposition.

“This is zero care factor for what’s happening at the moment. This is I’m tired, I can’t chase and that is embarrassing,” Cooper Cronk said on the Matty and Cronk Show.

“What’s happened there is Reuben Garrick’s taken an intercept and everyone else has putt their hands on their hips and gone ‘Go Reuben’. No one has followed up and the care factor just wasn’t there.

Matthew Johns added, “There’s barely anyone in the picture.”