Mercurial Manly need to find backbone to survive in 2026

March 31, 2026 — 5:00am

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Since the start of 2025, no side has played in more games decided by 13 points or more than Manly.

Twenty-one of their past 27 games have been won by big margins – the Sea Eagles prevailing in 10 and losing the other 11. Historically, few sides in premiership history have a comparable record.

Manly themselves hold the record for most 13-plus margins in one season (21), from 2021 – the last time rugby league’s soundtrack was a ringing set restart bell.

And as far as lies, damned lies and statistics go, the Sea Eagles’ all-or-nothing record sums up the Anthony Seibold era as well as any.

Manly – brilliant one minute, blowing it all the next.

For Seibold’s eventual long-term successor, there is upside to a talent-laden squad and emerging crop of youngsters. Manly’s roster needs renovating, but there is scope to do it.

More immediately, caretaker Keiran Foran has a few days before his coaching debut against the Dolphins,........

© The Sydney Morning Herald