How Manly Sea Eagles are adapting to life after Daly Cherry-Evans
After leading Canberra to the minor premiership with the best year of his career, Fogarty’s experience and game management could serve him better than many filling the void left by champion No.7.
The Sea Eagles were one of the game’s most entertaining and enterprising teams during Seibold’s three seasons in charge, but only reached the final once during that period.
Jamal Fogarty made his debut for Manly in Sunday’s match against South Sydney.Credit: Joel Seeto/Sea Eagles Digital
Seibold remains bullish on Manly’s fortunes, pointing to a 12-12 record last season despite Cherry-Evans’ contract drama and crippling injuries that have exposed their forward depth to the fore of his own future – “it could get you into the final in a lot of years”.
New captain Tom Trbojevic and his brother Jake will attend Sunday’s trial against Souths but are set to go into round one against Fogarty’s former Raiders side.
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And as the post-Cherry-Evans era begins, all eyes are focused on a new face in Manly’s attacking base for the first time in 15 years.
“After Chez made his decision, we looked at the market and knew what we needed,” says Seibold.
“We needed a good organized half. We needed a really good kicking game. Those are Jamal’s two biggest strengths and how professional and determined he is. Our attack will improve, that’s natural.
“We need to be an adaptable team. We beat five of the top seven teams last year, which is as good a record as anyone. But we need to bring more consistency to our game and I think Jamal’s skill set helps bring a little more structure to our game.
“There will be little changes, but we still have the same weapons, we just got faster with guys like that. [Jason] Saab and Tolu Koula and we still need to make sure we unlock them.”
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