NRL 2024: Manly Sea Eagles end partnership with Blacktown Workers following club review
Manly boss Tony Mestrov has revealed a significant decision set to impact the Sea Eagles following an extensive club review, which will see ties cut with their western Sydney partners and a shake-up for pathways teams.
Manly boss Tony Mestrov has outlined his club’s blueprint for ongoing success which includes locking down coach Anthony Seibold and ensuring all their pathway teams – including their NSW side – play under the Sea Eagles umbrella.
Manly celebrated their first finals win since 2021 which a victory against Canterbury last Sunday.
While they remain in premiership calculations ahead of a do or die clash against the Roosters on Saturday, Mestrov is focused on ensuring the club is set-up for continued success.
Following an extensive review, Mestrov has revealed a three part plan which includes extending Seibold’s contract, ending the club’s partnership with Blacktown Workers and keeping all the pathway teams remain on the northern beaches.
It means Manly won’t continue their feeder club relationship with Blacktown which has doubled as the club’s NSW Cup side in recent years.
Instead their reserve grade side will return as Manly Sea Eagles and be based alongside the NRL top squad at the club’s centre of excellence at 4 Pines Park.
The club’s junior pathway teams – Harold Matthew, SG Ball and Jersey Flegg, will also remain under the Manly badge despite exploring the prospect of fully relocating their junior base to western Sydney from next season.
“We had a top down and bottom up review and considered all options – and the result was to make sure we have pathways intended for nurturing junior talent inside the Manly family walls,” Mestrov said.
“As a part of a review, sure we explored different options as a benchmarking exercise, but as everyone knows, I’ve made no apologies for trying to get the best results in all we do at the club – from head office to supporting our senior and junior players.
“We are doubling down on the foundations put in place over the past year. Our whole-of-club intention is to become a consistent finals force and premiership aspirant.”
Mestrov confirmed Seibold will be offered a new contract once the season concludes.
The Manly coach has 12 months left on his current contract but talks with the Sea Eagles will result in Seibold being handed another one or two year deal which could see him at the helm until 2027.
“Hopefully that conversation is still a few weeks if we can keep winning finals with great football like we did against the Bulldogs,” Mestrov said.
“Ï think we’ve shown progress and an upward trajectory on the field this year – and that’s a lot of people who are pulling together with the right culture and the aligned desire to see Manly as a proud club create every opportunity to be successful.
“This year has been a big step in the right direction. I hope we can continue to climb the mountain. Strong football clubs in any code have a strong culture and hunger for success – and that’s the work of many, not a few. So we will continue to march on with the right people on board and the best structures in place.”
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