JOY IN BROOKVALE AS SEA EAGLES WELCOME KING AND NEW SIGNINGS AT FAN DAY
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles’ 2026 season has officially kicked off with a celebration of football and community, as hundreds of fans gathered outside 4 Pines Park for the club’s annual fan day in Brookvale. The event brought together a new-look playing squad, incoming recruits, and a familiar face in the front office – former premiership winner Jason King, who has returned to Manly as chief executive.
On the sun-drenched grass of the Brookvale precinct, supporters lined up to meet their heroes, collect autographs on jerseys and footballs, and even take part in light-hearted activities that saw some players take an icy dunking in a community pool set up for the day. At the heart of the festivities was King, whose return to the club where he built his legacy marked a deeply personal homecoming.
A 2008 premiership-winning prop, former club captain and life member, King made 239 appearances across 14 seasons for Manly and the Northern Eagles. “I had such a fortunate and wonderful career here, so to be able to come back in a different capacity is really special,” he told the cheering crowd. Reconnecting the club with its supporter base sits at the top of his agenda, alongside harnessing the experience of new signings Jamal Fogarty and Kobe Hetherington.
“We have had two very seasoned players join us this year, with a lot of experience,” King said. “To have Jamal and Kobe come to the club is really going to help the squad this year.” He also threw his full weight behind newly appointed captain Tom Trbojevic, who leads Manly as the 63rd skipper in the club’s 80th anniversary season. “Tom is really embracing the opportunity to be captain. It is all about how we can support him now and give him the best chance to play his best football and lead the group.”
When asked about coach Anthony Seibold’s position amid external pressure, King made clear the club’s focus was on support rather than speculation. “The focus at the moment is working out ways to support the coach and 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 winning a premiership with the Brisbane Broncos last season, spoke of his excitement at joining the Sea Eagles. “I am loving everything – the boys have been really welcoming, and the beaches are not too bad,” he said. After eight years with the Broncos, the forward is determined to replicate his success on the northern beaches. “Winning a premiership with some of your best mates is a good feeling, so I just want to win one here now.” Fully fit following past knee and groin surgeries, he praised Seibold as “a strong communicator and leader.”
Winger Jason Saab, who has scored 69 tries in 99 games for Manly, highlighted the impact Fogarty would have on the team’s attack. “He’s a big key to our success with an elite kicking game and strong leadership,” Saab said. On Trbojevic’s captaincy, he added: “Turbo has always had that leadership there. When we are on the field he demands respect through his actions – that hasn’t changed at all.” Saab enters the season with added muscle, noting: “I have put on a few kilos. Obviously weight does not help with speed, but it is a good trade off for me this year.”
Fans shared their optimism for the season ahead. Steve and Jamie Holmes brought four generations of their family to the event: “We wanted to have a fun father-son day out. With Fogarty coming in as halfback, I would love to see his leadership come through.” Long-time supporter Steve Monty, who has watched from the Brookvale hill since childhood, said: “It is great to see the guys up close – they look fit and ready. We lost two critical games last year, but if we fix that, we’ll be in the finals mix.”
Ethan and Frank Rago are determined to prove doubters wrong: “We want to show everyone who thinks we’ll be at the bottom that we have what it takes to make the top eight.” Sarah Kenny and Naomi Shoesmith, who travel to every home and away match, laughed when asked about the cost of their support: “We don’t want to know.”
Manly will open their 2026 NRL campaign at 4 Pines Park on March 7, with Fogarty set to face his former club the Canberra Raiders.
