Why Trent Barrett deserves some credit for Manly’s revival under Des Hasler

In his first interview since his employment at Manly officially ended, Trent Barrett has outlined how he helped build the Sea Eagles revival.

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Trent Barrett insists he has no regrets about walking out on the Manly Sea Eagles and handing over a potential premiership-winning side to Des Hasler.

Instead, he looks back with enormous pride on the roster he assembled over three years at Brookvale, including several misfits who were unwanted elsewhere.

“I’d actually like to think I left them well-educated,” Barrett said in his first interview since his employment at the Sea Eagles was officially terminated two weeks ago.

“A few of the boys I got there like Siro (Curtis Sironen) were coming out of reserve grade.

“No one else wanted Moses Suli. He’d been punted by the Wests Tigers and the Bulldogs.

“Tommy Turbo had only played five games when I started.

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Barrett coached Manly in 2017-18.

“I’ve really loved seeing all these guys kick on this year.”

There was also Addin Fonua-Blake, who was sacked by St George Illawarra and took a year off before Barrett threw him a lifeline at the Sea Eagles on a train-and-trial contract. He is now among the top front-rowers in the competition.

It was only after Barrett’s protest about poor facilities last year that Manly finally did something about improving their training conditions with the announcement of a new $36 million centre of excellence academy at Brookvale.

“There are definitely no regrets,” Barrett said. “I knew we had a good team there.

“In 2017 we were sitting in the same position in fifth place. Then last year was a write-off with all the off-field shit but that happens.

Barrett was sacked last year. Picture by Phil Hillyard.

“I’ve been sitting back enjoying watching them and they’re a real dark horse.

“If they can keep going, who knows how far they’ll go. Canberra are a bit the same. They can upset anyone on their day.”

The great Jack Gibson used to credit coaches for the condition they left clubs in as much as their premiership records.

Compare how Barrett left Manly to how Wayne Bennett left the Newcastle Knights.

“I’m really happy for them,” Barrett said. “I certainly haven’t been death-riding them.

“I’m still close to a lot of the boys and stay in touch with them. If they can stay healthy for another six weeks, they could do anything.”

Manly have hit top form again under Hasler. Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

In the meantime, he is sitting back and waiting for another opportunity.

Barrett has ruled out moving to England because his daughter is about to start the HSC.

There has been talk he would join his great mate Paul McGregor at St George Illawarra.

“I’d like another head coaching role but timing is everything,” he said.

“They don’t come along very often. I’ll bide my time and if I have to go back to an assistant’s role that will be OK. The main thing is you’ve got to be working and you’ve got to be involved in the game.”