Mole’s season review: Manly ‘mess’ exposed after Fozball fell apart

That’s the only way to sum up the season at Brookvale, with the Sea Eagles having a roster capable of playing finals football but cruelling themselves on and off the field.

Rookie Sea Eagles coach Kieran Foran. Getty

The club hit the panic button just weeks into the season after three straight losses at home to start the campaign, sacking coach Anthony Seibold.

Kieran Foran was thrown into the hot seat despite no head coaching experience, but for a while ‘Fozball’ – whatever that is – was the talk of the league.

The former champion halfback got off to a golden start, winning eight games of his first 10 and having the Sea Eagles finals bound.

But from there, Manly hit the wall, losing seven of eight matches and crashing out of contention in spectacular style.

Could a more experienced coach have stopped the slide? It’s something we will never know – but Foran learned some harsh lessons in that agonising run into the big games.

With a new staff over the summer and the experience he gained, he should be better equipped for the cut-throat world of NRL coaching.

The inability to put away close games hurt Manly big time – they lost four crucial matches by a single point – if they turned just two of those around, they may well still be in the finals race.

On their day against teams who weren’t fond of tackling, Manly were as good as any team in the comp, racking up big scores and bagging spectacular length of the field tries with ease.

But when they came up against well coached teams who knew their weaknesses over 80 minutes, Manly often melted and their big guns went missing.

The Trbojevic brothers were again the heart and soul of the team – but all three missed a lot of game time through injury and that hurt the club.

Amidst the carnage, there were plenty of positives – Haumole Olakau’atu enjoyed his best season in the second row and on his day, he was a beast.

Haumole Olakau’atu in action for the Sea Eagles. Getty Images

Tolu Koula and Lehi Hopoate were both consistently among the tries and are two genuine strike players capable of scoring spectacular long range tries.

Youngsters Clayton Faulalo, Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large were all blooded in the top grade and showed they have what it takes.

Veteran Luke Brooks had a fine year and hooker Brandon Wakeham was among the club’s best.

The Sea Eagles finished just one spot out of the top eight and the 118 points scored in their last three games is a sign of what might have been.

Best player: Haumole Olakau’atu stamped himself as one of the game’s elite second-rowers in his best NRL season to date.

Biggest disappointment: Jamal Fogarty couldn’t quite replicate his heroics from Canberra but his cool head and game management will ensure he is a key man in 2027.

Key signing: The Sea Eagles need more grunt in the forwards and if former Storm big guy Davvy Moale can muscle up, he will be a handy addition.

2027 gains: Davvy Moale (Storm), Starford To’a (Wests Tigers), Toni Mataele (Eels), Kayliss Fatialofa (Warriors)

2027 losses: Reuben Garrick (Roosters), Zach Dockar-Clay (released), Nathan Brown, Zaidas Muagututia, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Aaron Schoupp, Paul Bryan, Blake Wilson