Trent Barrett is ‘the right man’ to get Sea Eagles back on track

COACH Trent Barrett is the man to lead the Sea Eagles out of their current difficulties, says the club’s owner Scott Penn.

Manly's coach Trent Barrett has the endorserment of owner Scott Penn. Picture: Jenny Evans

• Sea Eagles owner’s message to fans
• Manly players ‘have each other’s backs

COACH Trent Barrett is the man to lead the Sea Eagles out of their current difficulties, says the club’s owner Scott Penn.

Sunday’s loss to the Panthers now sees the team sitting in 14th spot on the ladder and the scramble to make the top eight has become an even harder battle.

“He is effectively six months into a three-year contract — he is the right man,” Penn said.

“It is not where we want to be, but we have the right team in terms of coaching staff.”

And Penn said that despite the current situation in which they find themselves, all the players were putting in.

Trent Barrett and his assistant coach John Cartwright. Picture: Braden Fastier

“I don’t think there was a lack of effort or commitment,” Penn said.

He was particularly impressed by the performances of local juniors Jake and Tom Trbojevic against the Panthers.

“They were both awesome and another reason why we have a bright future,” Penn said.

Prop Jake was made co-captain of the side for the Panthers game and he really led from the front

His passion for the Manly club was clearly evident with the genuine emotion he displayed in the press conference after Sunday’s loss where he really felt it.

“We had a good crowd at Brookie and we should have won that one,” Trbojevic said.

“Everyone was trying hard, it was just really disappointing.

“It hurts a lot.”

Penn also said that there was no doubt that the halves Dylan Walker and Api Koroisau both really stood up on Sunday.