Anthony Seibold sat to Daly Cherry-Evans’ right during one of rugby league’s most extraordinary press conferences on Sunday night.

But now in his third year at Manly and navigating the club’s best shot at a premiership in that time, Seibold has found himself in the middle of a soap opera few do as well as the Sea Eagles.

It’s the lot of any NRL coach - keeping the dramas big and small at bay.

Cherry-Evans’ pass the popcorn claims of an “ugly, hurtful and nasty smear campaign” being waged against him which Manly fans “saw right through,” was more Broadway than Brookvale.

The wantaway Sea Eagles skipper refused to detail where he thinks the smear campaign is coming from, but Cherry-Evans had Manly’s top brass firmly in his sights.

On Monday, the club was moving to take the sting out of the saga.

Daly Cherry-Evans in action after a week of drama.Credit: Getty Images

CEO Tony Mestrov pulled out of a scheduled, and promoted, appearance on Fox Sports’ NRL360 on Monday night - shouldering arms when presented with a chance to respond to Cherry-Evans’ comments and their implications.

Seibold did likewise when approached by the masthead, pointing to his comments in the press conference and saying the drama had been put to bed.

“While Chez is at the club I’ve got his back,” Seibold said, having sat uncomfortably alongside his captain for six minutes of questioning about the week and alleged smear campaign that was.........

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