BREAKING: WADDELL NAMED MANLY ASSISTANT CAPTAIN AS EXCITEMENT SURGES AT 4 PINES PARK
4 Pines Park has erupted with excitement following a major announcement from Manly Sea Eagles head coach Anthony Seibold – with the club’s board, led by CEO and President Jason King, confirming hard-running forward Corey Waddell as the team’s new assistant captain ahead of the 2026 NRL season.
In a message delivered to fans and the wider Australian sporting community on Sunday morning, King expressed his delight at the appointment, describing Waddell as the embodiment of Manly’s core values. “Today we celebrate a player who has earned everything through sheer determination and unwavering commitment to the Sea Eagles jersey,” King said, as supporters gathered at the club’s home ground for their annual fan day broke into spontaneous cheers.
Seibold took centre stage to make the official announcement, highlighting Waddell’s journey from debutant to leadership role as a testament to his character. “Corey represents exactly what we want our Manly side to stand for – heart, hustle and humility,” Seibold said. “He’s not the most vocal player in the sheds, but his actions on and off the field speak volumes, and he’s earned the respect of every teammate, coach and staff member at the club.”
The appointment marks a significant milestone in Waddell’s career at Manly, where he has carved out a reputation as a consistent and reliable forward across two stints with the club (2019-2020 and 2024-2025). Since making his NRL debut in 2019, he has played over 30 games in maroon and white, scoring his first top-grade try in a thrilling 2019 semi-final against the South Sydney Rabbitohs – a moment that remains etched in the memories of Manly fans.
Known for his strong work ethic, solid defence and impact off the bench, Waddell recently committed his future to the Sea Eagles with a long-term deal that will keep him at 4 Pines Park until 2027. His return to Manly in 2024 after a two-year spell at the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs saw him rediscover his best form, becoming a key contributor in the forward pack and playing a crucial role in the club’s push for a top-eight finish last season.
Taking the microphone to address the crowd, Waddell was visibly moved by the appointment. “To be named assistant captain of this great club is something I never could have imagined when I made my debut here seven years ago,” he said. “Manly gave me my first chance in the NRL, and to come back and be trusted with this leadership role means the world to me. I’ll keep working as hard as I can every single day to repay the faith the club, coaches and fans have shown in me.”
The news has resonated across the NRL and Australian sporting community, with many praising Manly for recognizing a player whose dedication often flies under the radar. Waddell will join captain Daly Cherry-Evans in leading the Sea Eagles into the 2026 season, with their first home game at 4 Pines Park scheduled for early March – where he will wear the assistant captain’s armband for the first time.
