SEA EAGLES LOCK IN PATHWAYS COACHES FOR 2026 SEASON
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have officially confirmed the coaching line-up for their Pathways teams ahead of the 2026 season, with extended squads already underway with a pre-Christmas training block as final selections edge closer to February’s junior representative kick-off.
The club has welcomed a mix of experienced mentors and fresh faces to guide its rising stars across five junior and women’s programs. Former Manly fullback Luke Phillips will take the reins of the Lisa Fiaola team. Sea Eagle #424, who played in 1998 before winning an NRL premiership with the Roosters in 2002, brings a unique perspective after transitioning to NRL refereeing and recently leading women’s programs at St George, North Sydney and the Roosters.
Ray Windle will steer the Under 19s in their fourth Tarsha Gale Cup campaign. A Balmain junior, Windle has coached the successful Roosters Tarsha Gale side in recent years and previously led the Wests Tigers Cubs program, plus the NSW Women’s Opens team in 2005-2006.
Tom Giles has been appointed Harold Matthews Cup coach. The 25-year-old former Australian Schoolboys prop was Captain-Coach of the 2024 premiership-winning Young Cherrypickers in Group 9, following stints in lower grades at the Roosters, Sharks and Rabbitohs.
In a notable move, Lachlan Croker will make an immediate switch from NRL player to head coach of the SG Ball Cup team. The hooker, who began his first-grade career in the halves, played 125 games over eight seasons for Manly after debuting with the Raiders in 2016. “I’m excited about the next chapter in life and the transition into coaching,” Croker said. “I’m really fortunate to have a great crew around me with Parks [Brad Parker] and Jack [Jack Johns] as assistants.”
Completing the line-up is Chris Crotty, who will lead the Jersey Flegg Cup team after taking the Roosters to the second week of Harold Matthews Cup finals last year. A Northern Beaches local and former lower grade player for Manly and the Roosters, Crotty made one NRL appearance for the Rabbitohs in 1997, adding to his decade of junior coaching experience with Balmain.
Final squads for all Pathways teams will be announced in the new year as preparations intensify for the 2026 season.
