Manly Warringah Sea-Eagles 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>A new coach, injury clouds and off-field controversy, it’s all happening on the Northern Beaches as Manly gear up for season 2023.</p> <p>Manly icon Des Hasler was relieved of his duties as head coach for the second time in his career, after a truly disastrous finish to 2022 which saw his team lose their last seven games on the back of the pride jersey saga.</p> <p>The Manly hierarchy have decided to replace fan favourite Hasler with the much maligned Anthony Seibold.</p> <p>This marks his first head coaching gig since his truly catastrophic tenure in charge of the Broncos.</p> <p>His spell at Brisbane was such a cataclysmic failure it’s easy to forget that Seibold won Dally M Coach of the Year in his first and only year in charge of South Sydney.</p> <p>Can Seibold recapture his former glory while also helping Manly recapture theirs? Can Tom Trbojevic’s hamstrings hold firm under the strain of carrying the entire team? And can Josh Schuster make the No. 6 jersey his own? Read our 2023 season prediction for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles below as we preview their upcoming season.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Ben Condon (North Queensland Cowboys)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Cooper Johns (Melbourne Storm)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Kelma Tuilagi (Wests Tigers)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Back-rower Kelma Tuilagi is the only recruit who is likely to see consistent first team action in 2023. The former Tiger has been brought in to play alongside Haumole Ola’kauatu in the second row.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ul> <li><strong><em>Andrew Davey (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Kieran Foran (Gold Coast Titans)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Jorge Taufua (Wakefield Trinity)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Martin Taupau (Brisbane Broncos)</em></strong></li> <li><strong><em>Dylan Walker (New Zealand Warriors)</em></strong></li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Manly have bid farewell to a quadrella of loyal servants with Kieran Foran, Jorge Taufua, Martin Taupau and Dylan Walker all leaving for pastures new.</p> <p>With them leaves a host of experience, this coupled with Hasler’s departure signals a huge cultural shift at Manly. Whether this will be for better or for worse remains to be seen.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3>

<p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Josh Schuster</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Currently putting his hand up to be the biggest playmaker in the comp, a lot is riding on soon to be reformed forward Josh Schuster.</p> <p>Set to be given the first crack at Kieran Foran’s now vacant No.6 jersey by Anthony Seibold, this is an experiment worth keeping an eye on.</p> <p>Schuster played in the halves at junior level but made his name at NRL in the forwards. His soft hands despite his size quickly made him a fan favourite and one of the most effective utility players in the NRL.</p> <p>The Samoan international’s 2022 season was disrupted by an ankle injury, and he only managed limited game time as his side slumped to an 11th placed finish.</p> <p>A lot will hinge on Schuster’s ability to acclimatise to his new position and effectively partner his captain Daly Cherry-Evans at the base of the scrum.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>13th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>As always for Manly, a lot is riding on the fitness of talisman and fullback Tom “Turbo” Trbojevic.</p> <p>Currently recovering from a shoulder reconstruction and nursing an injured hamstring, Turbo is racing the clock to be fit for round 1, but according to reports should be good to go just in the nick of time.</p> <p>Manly are always tough to predict, with their last two finishes being 4th then 11th respectively.</p> <p>They always seem to be one torn hamstring or rainbow coloured jersey away from going from the penthouse to the doghouse.</p> <p>Elsewhere Manly are also devoid of a recognised dummy-half and their bench leaves a lot to be desired.</p> <p>A change was definitely needed, but the appointment of Seibold already has a large portion of their supporters offside from jump.</p> <p>For Seibold’s sake he better hope Tommy Turbo’s hammys hold, otherwise it could be a very long season for all involved.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Tom Trbojevic</li> <li>Reuben Garrick</li> <li>Tolu Koula</li> <li>Brad Parker</li> <li>Christian Tuipulotu</li> <li>Josh Schuster</li> <li>Daly Cherry-Evans</li> <li>Josh Aloiai</li> <li>Lachlan Croker</li> <li>Taniela Paseka</li> <li>Haumole Ola'kauatu</li> <li>Kelma Tuilagi</li> <li>Jake Trbojevic</li> <li>Ben Trbojevic</li> <li>Sean Keppie</li> <li>Toafofoa Sipley</li> <li>Ethan Bullemor<br /> &nbsp;</li> </ol>