Braith Anasta beats Manly Sea Eagles, press Anthony Seibold, Tom Trbojevic, Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles, NRL360, rugby league news

Questions have been raised over the future of Manly coach Anthony Seibold after the Sea Eagles put in a “horrendous” performance in a 14-0 defeat to the Rabbitohs last weekend.

In a game that veteran journalist Brent Read labeled ‘terrible’, Manly looked lethargic in attack without star halfback Daly Cherry-Evans, gun back rower Haumole Olakau’atu, Jake Trbojevic and Reuben Garrick.

NRL360 host Braith Anasta was unafraid to take on the Sea Eagles after they failed to score a point against a Rabbitohs team also missing studs Latrell Mitchell and Cam Murray.

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“The Manly Sea Eagles were terrible. Their attack was diabolical, it has to be said.” NRL360 said host.

“It looked like they had scored once, but then they put the pass in.

“They kept going sideways, throwing block plays, they weren’t direct, they weren’t threatening, they didn’t change, they didn’t look at what was in front of them and evolve or try to create different scenarios or situations. ”

In place of Cherry-Evans, Manly started Karl Lawton at halfback, while Luke Brooks remained in the No. 6 jersey.

It was a baffling decision according to Fox League’s James Hooper, who wondered why the Sea Eagles didn’t instead bleed a promising playmaker.

“I was concerned when I saw Karl Lawton appointed as halfback,” Hooper said.

You have Luke Brooks in the team, he has played most of his career as a halfback. I don’t know why you wouldn’t just make him the No. 1 playmaker.

“They also have a young gun in their lineup named Jamie Humphreys. I’m surprised he didn’t get a chance.

“There’s a bit of heat going on at Manly now because what is that? They won one of the last five games. It hasn’t been a great record lately, after a really positive start.”

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The Sea Eagles have won two and lost two since Seibold reportedly stormed out of a meeting with club powerbrokers after being denied a contract extension late last month.

Hooper believes there is still underlying friction between Seibold and the club, and it shows.

“I think there will be some tough questions asked of Anthony Seibold and we know he has had a falling out with CEO Tony Mestrov,” Hooper said.

“He wanted an extension and the CEO said, ‘No, you’re not getting one at the moment.’ So there is some friction and they can’t get Tommy (Trbojevic) back fast enough.”

Manly are in 11th place going into Round 17 with seven wins and seven losses. They are just one point out of eight and three points behind the fourth-placed Roosters, so there is plenty of time to make a finals push.

Manly have a much-needed bye this week but are likely to get star fullback Tom Trbojevic for the Round of 16 against the Cowboys in Townsville.

Anasta asked the NRL360 panel if the Sea Eagles don’t turn it around and miss the eight, whether Seibold will keep his job.

Manly finished 12th last season in Seibold’s first year at the helm.

“Well, I mean, they finished twelfth last year and then they don’t make it to the final. It’s barely a passing grade,” Hooper replied.

Read added: “I don’t think he’s gone, but he’ll be under quite a lot of pressure to start next year

“There were also extenuating circumstances this year. They have lost Tommy for a long time, he has been a very important player for a long time and without him they cannot win.”

“I always agree when Tommy is out because it happens a lot, but when I look at that game at the weekend, it doesn’t matter who was in or out, Souths had Latrell and (others out) but it was the way (Manly) lost,” Annasta said.

“I know the conditions weren’t good, but it was the way they lost.”