How 30 seconds of rotten luck tore Manly down

2023 finish: 12th | 2024 finish: 7th

All the hard blood, sweat and tears of the past 10 months came crashing down in the first 30 seconds of Saturday night's elimination final for the luckless Sea Eagles.

Centre Tolu Koula - the last-gasp hero of the win over the Bulldogs the previous week - was KO'd making the first tackle of the game and his night was over.

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Then on the second tackle, Jake Trbojevic was left seeing stars and while he returned after passing his HIA, he was a shadow of his usual shelf.

The Roosters, smelling blood in the water in the battle of the beaches, applied the pressure and after 30 minutes, the game was as good as over.

The unprecedented opening left Manly fans wondering what could have been after an otherwise highly impressive season.

Anthony Seibold lifted the club from 12th to seventh on the ladder and on their day, the Sea Eagles had the strike power to match any attack in the league.

Tommy Talau, one of the buys of the year, scored 18 tries, closely followed by brilliant fullback Tom Trbojevic (17), Jason Saab (12) and centre Reuben Garrick (10).

The Manly back five oozed power and pace and thrilled the Brookvale faithful anytime rival defences were off their game.

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Much was made of Tom Trbojevic's injuries late in the year but in a make or break season for the luckless fullback, he still managed 20 games, inspiring the team with his mere presence on many occasions.

The Sea Eagles had a potent mix of youth and experience and provided both State of Origin captains - the ageless Daly Cherry-Evans and Jake Turbo in a first for the game.

DCE turns 36 next February but is the NRL's Peter Pan - he played 24 games and shows no sign of slowing down.

Halves partner Luke Brooks proved a great signing, taking some of the kicking and playmaking pressure off DCE and he was rewarded with his first finals campaign after more than a decade of frustration at the Tigers.

He was the only Sea Eagle to play all 26 games and revelled in Manly's fast, open style of play.

Up front, Nathan Brown added plenty of aggression to the Manly pack that contained powerhouses like Haumole Olakau'atu, Josh Aloiai, Ethan Bullemore and Taniela Paseka.

Ben Trbojevic stepped out of the shadow of his two older brothers and proved a first grader in his own right, shining at both centre and back row.

Hooker Lachlan Croker was again one of Manly's best, getting the team going forward and invariably topping the tackle count.

The club unearthed youngsters like hooker Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Lehi Hopoate and Clayton Faulalo who will develop into regular first graders in years to come.

The Eagles haven't entered the player market because they know this current squad - given a bit of luck it was denied last weekend - has the makings of a title contender over the next couple of seasons.

Best player: Luke Brooks played every game in his maiden season at Brookvale and ignited the attack with his pace and vision - a great signing.

Needs to lift: Koula had a golden moment in the finals but his overall season's try tally - just seven from 21 games - will have disappointed both him and the coaching staff.

Best signing: Local rugby union junior Joey Walsh has signed a three-year contract with the club and could be the long-term successor to DCE's halfback throne.

2025 Gains: Joey Walsh (2027)

2025 Losses: Bailey Hodgson (Leigh Leopards), Jamie Humphreys (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Karl Lawton (North Queensland Cowboys), Brad Parker (retired), Josh Schuster (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Aaron Woods (retired)