Manly have been labelled a “disconnected” team in crisis, with coach Anthony Seibold’s job in doubt and Daly Cherry-Evans’ body language under the microscope.
The Tigers defeated Manly 26-12 on Sunday, handing the Sea Eagles a fourth consecutive loss that all but ended any hopes Manly had of making finals.
In the past four games, Manly have scored just 32 points and conceded 116 points — they have looked increasingly uninspired in recent weeks and questions are being asked about the club’s future after the dismal loss to the Tigers.
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“To summarise Manly’s performance today, they played like individuals trying to survive themselves without actually connecting together,” Cooper Cronk said on Fox League.
Cherry-Evans cut a frustrated figure during the game when he threw an errant pass through the hands of Ben Trbojevic into touch as Manly pressed for a try.
The 36-year-old halfback was spotted hugging his kids and having a heartfelt conversation with his wife after the game, which caught the eye of Fox League commentator Andrew Voss.
“There were signs yesterday particularly post match — there was an exchange had with his wife on the fence — it was very much ‘last game’ areas,” Voss speculated on SEN’s Vossy & Brandy.
“It was like he was breaking the news, ‘Nah that’s it love, I’m done’. There was a very extended conversation, it seemed quite emotional. I thought that seemed a bit strange, three weeks from the end of the season, he’s playing on next year, it’s not the end of road for Manly. It was unusual.”
Voss added: “In the game, the reaction to the errant pass to Ben Trbojevic, it was emotionally a little over the top for Daly Cherry-Evans.
“Putting those pictures together, I thought, ‘There’s a player who’s going to announce his retirement’.”
Cherry-Evans was emotional in the changerooms post-game, sitting with his head in his hands and spotted deep in discussion with Tom Trbojevic and coach Anthony Seibold.
“I’m seeing a lot of weight, a lot of frustration,” Broncos great Corey Parker said when asked about Cherry-Evans’ body language.
“To suggest that’s it (he’s played his last game), I don’t know. I know Daly personally and he does things his own way, but I don’t know ‘that’s it’.
“There’s certainly something not clicking for the Manly Sea Eagles because they were very poor yesterday.”
“It certainly doesn’t help that the side isn’t travelling well,” said Greg Alexander.
“It’s a totally disconnected team.
“They looked totally disconnected. They’ve got all these attacking weapons. I can’t remember when Tom (Trbojevic) looked like he was going to break the line.”
Alexander also savaged Manly five-eighth Luke Brooks, saying: “Luke Brooks may as well not play, I’m serious, because he offers nothing.”
Calls for ‘clarity’ as DCE mystery drags on
Cherry-Evans announced early in the season he would be leaving Manly at season’s end, but months later he is yet to confirm which club he is headed to.
The veteran playmaker has long been linked to the Roosters, but nothing has been officially confirmed, while the Tricolours may be having second thoughts given the rapid development of young halves Sam Walker and Hugo Savala.
Cherry-Evans told news.com.au last month there was “no update” on his next destination and he was focused on helping Manly secure a spot in the top eight.
Parker said it would be helpful for all parties to some “clarity” on Cherry-Evans’ future.
“There’s still talk about where he may or may not go,” Parker said on SEN.
“Everyone’s says it’s the Roosters and it’s a done deal, but no one’s got any clarity around it. “I think the weight and burden of what he’s dealing with — he’s created it himself — and the lack of performance on the field have come to a head.”
Reporter Cody Kaye told Fox Sports News Cherry-Evans announcing he was leaving Manly has undoubtedly played a part in Manly’s dip in form.
Kaye said: “You’ve got to ask the question, ‘how much it distracted him? How much it distracted the wider playing group?
“The difference between winning and losing is so small. If everybody isn’t on the same page or harmonious, you aren’t going to win a competition.
“You’re not going to be competitive because if everyone’s not pulling in the same direction, you’ve got a really big problem. I do think players at that club looked around and said, ‘Well if the captain’s not all in, why will I be?’
“This looks like an unhappy footy side. There’s too many weapons in that team.
No finals swansong for DCE | 02:30
“Daly’s performance yesterday, he never stopped trying. But it’s a scattergun approach and I don’t know if the guys on that team are fully aware of what Daly’s going to do next.
“He cut a really dejected figure in the changerooms after. I’ve never seen Daly that upset.
“In the background of all this is the constant linking to the Roosters for next year and whether or not the Roosters, having watched Daly’s form dip, have got buyer’s remorse. There’s a lot going on for Daly Cherry-Evans right at the moment.
Seibold is contracted as coach until the end of 2027 but disgruntled Manly fans are calling for the coach’s head.
“We’re sticking solid with ‘Seibs’,” Manly chairman and owner Scott Penn told the SMH last week.
“We haven’t achieved what we want to achieve yet, we’re focused on finishing this year strongly, then getting stuck into 2026.
The Manly turmoil comes amid reports club officials have instructed workhorse Jake Trbojevic to sit out the last three games of the season following his latest concussion.
Cherry-Evans will play his 350th game against the Dolphins on Saturday at Brookvale Oval.
