Michael Ennis believes Luke Brooks and increased depth can be the missing pieces to help guide the Sea Eagles back into the finals in 2024.
Manly finished 12th last season, but have since signed Brooks to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves and switched Josh Schuster back to the second row.
Ennis joined the Sea Eagles coaching staff late last year and has been impressed by Brooks’ work ethic and dedication to his craft.
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“I think Brooks is a great signing,” Ennis told foxsports.com.au.
“As an outsider without knowing Luke he looked like he needed a change and seeing him training over the summer he has been outstanding.
“It has been really good to get to know Brooks. He is a quality human being. He trains incredibly hard and I think just having that experience around him of Cherry-Evans and Jake Trbojevic and Tom Trbojevic and those guys will take a huge amount of pressure off him.
“We saw glimpses of what he can do in that standout game against the Cowboys last year where he just had a big smile on his face and he was running the footy and enjoying his footy and hopefully he can do that at Manly.”
Manly also brought in Tommy Talau from the Tigers and Jaxson Paulo from the Roosters to bolster the outside backs and Nathan Brown from the Roosters to improve their forward depth.
Ennis believes Manly are trying to create a deeper roster to help them weather the storm when and if injuries strike.
“Definitely their signings have been around creating depth,” Ennis said.
“The signing of Tommy Talau and Jaxson Paulo and Nathan Brown has just added real quality to their roster.
“If you look at where Manly have had their challenges over the last couple of years it has been only through injury.
“Being able to have some guys there that can come in or even potentially start is a luxury for Anthony Seibold when he probably hasn’t had that depth before.”
Manly were hot and cold in 2023, but they showed they can match it with some of the best teams in the competition and Ennis believes if Trbojevic can stay healthy they can return to the finals in 2024.
“Manly showed glimpses of their best last year and started the season pretty well,” Ennis said.
“There was a game against the Storm at Brookvale last year where physically they went after them.
“Then the performance they turned in down in Canberra when Tom Trbojevic scored three tries that day.
“Tom Trbojevic is a big part of not only what happens on the field, but of it on the training park as well for that side.
“Tom being healthy is a huge bonus for them. And the depth to the squad that they have added is a huge bonus for them.
“They just need to find some consistency in their defence. That is the area that can push them back into the finals.
“With the roster they have got and the individuals they have got in their side you would be pretty confident to say that Manly internally would be aiming to make the finals for sure.”
Here foxsports.com.au breaks down all the key factors for the Sea Eagles heading into the 2024 season.
STRENGTH
Back row. Manly have arguably the most expensive back row in the NRL with Haumole Olakau’atu and Josh Schuster in the second row and Jake Trbojevic at lock. Olakau’atu is on the verge of an Origin debut, while Trbojevic has been a mainstay for the Blues and Schuster has been touted as a potential bolter in that arena two years ago. The three players complement each other perfectly with Olakau’atu’s hard running game, Schuster’s ball playing and Trbojevic’s tireless defence and work ethic the perfect combination. If all three are at their best Manly’s back row is up there with the best and most versatile in the competition.
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IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR
Luke Brooks. The pressure is off the playmaker in his first season at Manly after the maligned star’s switch from the Tigers. Playing alongside Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic will do wonders for Brooks’ confidence not to mention the excellent pack that he can play off the back of. However, Brooks, who has struggled to live up to the billing of a $1 million player. will still have a point to prove to himself and the Tigers after failing to make the finals in his career to date. The 29-year-old veteran of 205 games also makes the switch permanently to the No.6 role, so there will be growing pains while he nails his assignment and works on combinations with his new teammates.
WHO’S UNDER PRESSURE
Josh Schuster. The talented youngster is back in the second row in 2024 after Luke Brooks’ arrival at the club to play five-eighth. Schuster was earmarked as Manly’s long-term No.6 after Kieran Foran’s departure, but due to injury and form he failed to cement the spot last season. It makes his $800,000 a season salary and elephant in the room for the Sea Eagles. Brooks’ arrival sees Schuster switch positions again and he needs to work on his professionalism and consistency to return to the heights he reached in 2022, the last time he played in the back row. The 22-year-old has all the talent in the world, but now is the time to marry that with hard work and dedication to his preparation.
THE RISING STAR
Gordon Chan Kum Tong. The young dummyhalf played two games for Manly in his rookie season in 2023, but is set for a bigger role on the bench this season if he takes his chances. Chan Kum Tong offers more creativity and a running game, which complements starter Lachlan Croker’s slick service. Hooker has become such a vital position in rugby league that playing two dummyhalvesvwith one off the bench has become the norm for most NRL teams. Chan Kum Tong has all the makings of future NRL star in the dummyhalf position and is primed for a breakout year in 2024.
THE UNLUCKY ONES
Tommy Talau, Jaxson Paulo, Ethan Bullemor. Talau (Tigers) and Paulo (Roosters) joined the club in the off-season, but their path to starting berths looks blocked at this stage by Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick, Tolu Koula and Brad Parker. Bullemor played 23 games for Manly last year, but with Schuster returning to the back row he may find it hard to squeeze his way into the 17 on a consistent basis.
PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
Best 17:
1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Brad Parker
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Matt Lodge
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Taniela Paseka
11. Josh Schuster
12. Haumole Olakau’atu
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
15. Toafofoa Sipley
16. Josh Aloiai
17. Ben Trbojevic
SEA EAGLES
2024 squad: Ben Trbojevic (2024), Ben Condon (2025), Brad Parker (2025), Christian Tuipulotu (2025), Corey Waddell (2024), Daly Cherry-Evans (2025), Ethan Bullemor (2025), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (2024), Haumole Olakau’atu (2031), Jakob Arthur (2025), Jake Trbojevic (2026), Jamie Humphreys (2024), Jason Saab (2026), Jaxson Paulo (2026), Josh Aloiai (2025), Josh Schuster (2027), Karl Lawton (2024), Lachlan Croker (2026), Luke Brooks (2027), Matthew Lodge (2024), Raymond Vaega (2024), Reuben Garrick (2026), Taniela Paseka (2026), Tom Trbojevic (2026), Toafofoa Sipley (2025), Tolutau Koula (2026, PO 2027), Tommy Talau (2025), Zac Fulton (2024)
Development players: Aitasi James (2025), Bailey Hodgson (2024), Dean Matterson (2025), Clayton Faulalo (2025)
2024 gains: Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Tommy Talau (Wests Tigers), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters), Aitasi James (Wests Tigers), Corey Waddell (Bulldogs)
2024 losses: Samuela Fainu (Wests Tigers), Kelma Tuilagi (Eels), Morgan Harper (Eels), Kaeo Weekes (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Rabbitohs), Morgan Boyle (unsigned)
Coach: Anthony Seibold (2025)
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