Must Be Addressed: Manly Coach Anthony Seibold Challenges NRL on Scheduling Concerns

Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has urged the NRL to take action following his team’s narrow defeat to the Dragons on Thursday night, marking their third match in just 11 days.

The Sea Eagles hosted their round six game on April 6 before facing the Sharks in Perth on April 12.

In total, Manly has competed in five matches over a span of 25 days.

After the game, captain Daly Cherry-Evans described the situation as “bizarre”, although he refrained from using it as an excuse for the loss.

“In our last three games, we could have won two out of the three, but we failed to deliver the right plays when it mattered most,” he commented during the post-match press conference.

As Cherry-Evans wrapped up his thoughts, Seibold interjected.

“I was planning to raise this issue regardless of tonight’s result. We’ve had five matches in 25 days. The demands of the NRL have never been greater, and we talk about player welfare and wellbeing. I can’t fathom how we’ve had not only five games in that short time but also three matches in just 11 days, which is a concern shared by other teams like the Raiders and Sharks,” he explained.

“To play three games in 11 days and lose two days in transit to Perth, with a five-hour flight each way, equates to an additional two days. I can’t comprehend it. The competition has never been tougher, and our GPS data this year is off the charts. This is an important issue that warrants attention. However, it’s not an excuse for our performance, as I believe our effort was commendable until the very end.”

“As a team, we only spent 20 minutes on the field this entire week. It’s a challenging situation, not just for us but for the league as a whole, and it needs to be addressed.”

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When asked if he would approach the RLPA regarding this matter, Seibold replied that he was merely “putting it out there”.

“One coach’s voice might not carry much weight, but it’s a concern we need to address. We often speak about wellbeing and player welfare, and this is an important aspect to consider moving forward,” he concluded.