Manly’s hopes of a first Grand Final appearance since 2013 were squashed in brutal fashion by the Sydney Roosters in front of a capacity crowd at Allianz Stadium over the weekend. The Roosters’ physicality and class were on show led by their inspirational captain James Tedesco who was at his scheming best.
For Anthony Seibold and his Sea Eagles team though it was a disappointing close to a season which at times had some believing they could become only the third team outside of the top four to win a premiership since 1908.
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Seibold despite the heavy defeat was positive about the direction his Manly side were heading in after missing out on the finals the previous year.
“We’ve made enormous strides this year, enormous strides, we’re down to the last six, there are a whole lot of teams who would love to be in our position,” he said.
Manly’s season was punctuated with moments of undoubted quality which saw them beat Penrith, Melbourne, and the Roosters but in the same breath lose to the likes of the Tigers and Canberra. This inconsistency will need to be addressed in the off-season by Seibold and his coaching staff if they are to truly challenge for a premiership.
A team which consists of both the Queensland and New South Wales captains as well as one of the best players in the competition in Tom Trbojevic expectation should rightly be high. Turbo’s importance to the success of Manly has been well detailed over the years as the frustration of injury has both curtailed his own and the Sea Eagles premiership ambitions.
Questions though will begin to be raised if the Sea Eagles’ premiership drought continues into next season and whether Turbo is able to win that elusive title with his boyhood club.
A history of injuries which could include another surgery in the summer after Trbojevic suffered an AC joint shoulder injury against the Bulldogs on the eve of the finals that has left the 27-year-old yet again looking to rebuild his body in readiness for next season.
The importance of the Trbojevic brand to the Sea Eagles which also includes Jake and Ben is almost unmatched in the NRL, wherein the Trbojevic name is firmly attached and ingrained in the Northern beaches.
Turbo’s connection with Manly and the club which has shaped him into one of the poster boys of the NRL was no more paramount then when he reportedly approached them about taking a $750,000 pay cut over the next two seasons due the injuries which have disrupted his playing time over the past few years.
This request was swiftly rejected by the NRL but highlighted once again the deep desire Turbo has with the club and his burning ambition in bringing back a premiership to the Northern Beaches. Turbo’s battling performances during the Sea Eagles finals run showcased championship qualities of sacrifice and an incredible mental fortitude despite not being near 100 per cent fit.
It is these qualities that Seibold and his Manly team must muster more often next year if they are to quash the doubters and truly compete with the elite of the competition.
For Tom it is now about readying his body for another assault on the premiership next year and whether he and his teammates can deliver more consistently on the flashes of brilliance and class which they exhibited during the year.
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