The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles’ 2026 season officially began on the grass outside 4 Pines Park on Saturday, as a new-look squad and a familiar face in the front office greeted fans at the club’s annual fan day in Brookvale.
At the centre of the day was new chief executive Jason King, back at the club where he built a premiership-winning career, alongside Manly’s incoming recruits, all on hand to meet supporters, sign jerseys and, in a few cases, take a dunking.
For King, a 2008 premiership-winning prop, former club captain and life member, the return to Manly in a leadership role marked a full-circle moment.
“I had such a fortunate and wonderful career here, so to be able to come back in a different capacity is really special,” he said.
King made 239 appearances across 14 seasons for Manly and the Northern Eagles and said reconnecting the club with its supporter base would be a key focus of his tenure.
On the football side, King flagged the impact recent signings Jamal Fogarty and Kobe Hetherington could have.
“We have had two very seasoned players join us this year, with a lot of experience,” he said.
“To have Jamal and Kobe come to the club is really going to help the squad this year.”
King also threw his full support behind newly appointed captain Tom Trbojevic, who becomes the 63rd skipper in the club’s history during Manly’s 80th anniversary season.
“Tom is really embracing the opportunity to be the captain of the club.
“It is all about how we can support him now and give him the best chance to play his best football and also lead the group.”
With coach Anthony Seibold under pressure heading into the new season, King was asked about the coach’s position at the club but dismissed any suggestion the focus was elsewhere.
“The focus at the moment is working out ways to support the coach and support the broader playing squad,” he said.
“Everyone is acutely aware that this is a very competitive competition.
“We need our energy and focus to be beyond that, as opposed to any redundancy plans.”
Hetherington, who arrives at Manly after premiership success with the Brisbane Broncos last season, said: “I am loving everything.
“The boys have been really welcoming, and the beaches are not too bad.
“I was at the Broncos for eight or nine years.
“Winning a premiership with some of your best mates is a good feeling, so I just want to win one here now.”
Despite past knee and groin surgeries, Hetherington said: “I am fully fit now.
“I am back training 100% doing everything the team is doing.
“I feel like a new man at the moment.”
He also quashed any doubts surrounding Seibold, describing him as a strong communicator and leader.
“He is such a good coach, the way he trains you and the way he gets through to you.”
Winger Jason Saab said the fan day atmosphere was a reminder of why Manly prides itself on being a community club.
“It is good to see so many here today, they are the reason we play.
“It is just good to get amongst the fans and give back,” he said.
Saab noted Fogarty’s arrival would add another dimension to Manly’s attack, describing the former Raider as “a big key to their success” with an elite kicking game and strong leadership.
Asked about Tom Trbojevic’s appointment as captain for 2026, Saab said the ‘c’ in front of his name would not change how teammates viewed the star fullback.
“I think Turbo has always had that leadership there.
“When we are on the field he demands respect to his actions.
“He has demanded respect a long time ago, so it does not really change how anyone sees him or respects him on the field.”
Saab enters the new season as one of Manly’s most prolific finishers, having crossed for 69 tries in 99 appearances for the club, but said individual milestones were not his focus.
“I am just process driven and the tries will come off the back of it,” he said.
“I have put on a few kilos.
“Obviously weight does not help with speed, but it is a good trade off, I think, for me this year.
“I will be fast enough, so that is all that matters.”
As the afternoon unfolded, we spoke to fans sharing their optimism about what the 2026 season might hold.
“We have got four generations of Manly fans in the family, so we wanted to have a fun father son day out,” said locals Steve and Jamie Holmes.
“It has obviously changed with Fogarty coming in as halfback, I would love to see his leadership come through.”
Long-time supporter, Steve Monty, who described himself as a “tragic Manly supporter,” said he has watched from the Brookvale hill since he was two years old.
“It is great to see the guys in this environment, plus you get a perspective of how fit and brutal they look,” he said.
“We lost two critical games last year, one against the Gold Coast and one against Newcastle.
“If we get that out of our game, we will be in the mix of finals.”
Ethan and Frank Rago said external expectations had only added to their belief ahead of the new season.
“We want to prove all the people who think we are going to be the lowest wrong,” Ethan said.
“We have what it takes to make the top eight.”
Regular attendees Sarah Kenny and Naomi Shoesmith said they travel to every home and away match and were hopeful 2026 would deliver a premiership.
Asked what that level of support costs, they laughed: “We don’t want to know.”
Manly will open their 2026 NRL campaign at home against the Canberra Raiders on March 7, with Fogarty facing his former club.
