Manly Sea Eagles react to fan outrage by launching a series of internal crisis meetings
Manly management have moved to address growing discontent among supporters, launching a series of internal meetings with key stakeholders, coaches and the CEO as the club’s season enters freefall.
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Manly management is aware of fan outrage at the club’s dreadful performances and will launch a series of in-depth reviews during this weekend’s bye round.
This masthead has been told key internal meetings started last Saturday with a one-on-one between Manly coach Anthony Seibold and chief executive Tony Mestrov.
It is understood additional crisis meetings will also be held among key stakeholders this week as the club desperately attempts to salvage a fast-sliding season.
One source close to Manly said: “The club will be doing a lot of soul searching. They drastically need to turn things around.”
Unbelievably, Manly has tightened into $19 to record the most losses this season - in what is essentially a wooden spoon market – after being $81 just a fortnight ago, according to TAB.
Manly has never finished last in the club’s proud 78-year history.
A round 16 bye will allow Manly to regroup ahead of two season-defining home games against Wests Tigers and Souths.
Manly insist Seibold’s position is safe.
Irate Manly fans sent social media into meltdown after the club’s meek loss to Gold Coast on Friday night, just a week after a similarly poor defeat to Newcastle.
The source said: “The club wants to use the bye to have a good look at itself. Meetings will happen internally, some being one-on-one, and hopefully the club can pick a team that can beat the Tigers.
“They have been, and will be, constructive conversations about how the club can kickstart its season.
“The club knows the last two performances have been unacceptable. The bye will be used as a way to refresh and catch their breath. Some players are trying hard but it’s just not happening at the moment. Seibold is safe. The club has seen what the fans are saying and have written on social media.”
Manly has won six from 14 games and sit 11th on the NRL competition ladder.
The Sea Eagles have drifted out to $51 in premiership betting after paying $17 just a month ago.
“This is shaping as one of the more dramatic shifts in the major markets,” said TAB’s Rohan Welsh.
“Even when ‘Turbo’ (Tom Trbojevic) has been out for an extended period of time, punters have kept faith in Manly being able to hang in there and make the finals.
“The market has definitely reacted to the club’s slide in form. When the season kicked-off Manly were the best backed side to make the final eight.
“But most tellingly they were the equal worst-backed side to finish with the ‘most losses’. Now they’ve gone from $81 longshots to finish with the wooden spoon to a $19 chance in just a fortnight.
“Only the Titans, Eels, Knights and Dragons are shorter, and Manly claiming a shock wooden spoon for the first time would be a loss for TAB at the moment.”
Manly didn’t have a single player unavailable through State of Origin commitments for the Titans match. The loss was described as lacklustre and spiritless.
Confusion over Daly Cherry-Evans’ future continues to cast uncertainty over the club. There were weekend suggestions that Cherry-Evans could retire after this season rather than join the Sydney Roosters.
Manly has been struck down by injuries to Haumole Olakau’atu (shoulder), Lehi Hopoate (concussion), Taniela Paseka (Achilles), Josh Aloiai (shoulder), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (head knock) and Jazz Tevaga (head knock).
Olakau’atu sustained his injury against Gold Coast last weekend and will be sidelined for six weeks.
Former Sea Eagles grand final winning forward Peter Peters told the Big Sports Breakfast Weekend radio show that Manly should target Roosters five-eighth Sandon Smith and Canterbury hooker Reed Mahoney.
Manly legend Max Krilich identified one key area his club must quickly remedy – defence.
“Injuries have taken a toll but they’re missing too many tackles,” Krilich said. “Manly have to be like the Bulldogs – committed in defence and, unfortunately we haven’t been strong enough defensively.
“There are still a number of weeks to go but they need to lift their game. The forwards have to stand up. While there’s a game to play, there is always hope.”
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