Bold claim: the future of Manly looks bright, and the early signs are hard to ignore. After Daly Cherry-Evans, the Sea Eagles have found a promising spark in their young halves duo, Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large, who bossed a surprising 33-18 pre-season win over the Warriors. This wasn’t just a flash in the pan—they looked both dangerous with the ball and solid defensively in their first major challenge together.
Round 1 insights
- Walsh and Large powered a 15-point victory despite many teammates not in Manly’s Top 30, including six part-timers and six more teenagers. Walsh bagged two tries and appears set to build on his single 2026 NRL appearance, with the extended bench dynamic likely to draw more attention this season. As former Australia international Michael Ennis noted, Walsh looked sharp and confident. While he had a couple of iffy moments, his kicking in wet conditions stood out, and his defensive effort was encouraging. A highlight was the connection between Walsh and Large that released Faulalo for a try.
Combinations under scrutiny
- Warriors’ halves heading into the season face questions, with Luke Metcalf (knee) not expected back until late April. Tanah Boyd offered little in attack, and Chanel Harris-Tavita (calf) is racing the clock for Round 1. Te Maire Martin and Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad may form the halves for the Maori All Stars, potentially hinting at answers for Warriors in 2026. Jack Thompson, the 2024 Harold Matthews premiership-winning half, showed glimpses in a clever two-man cut-out pass for Harry Tauafiafi-Lutoi, one of the few Warriors highlights.
Recruit watch
- Morgan Gannon joined the Warriors with 73 Super League games but struggled to impact the game and made two clear errors. Blake Wilson, a former Bulldog, impressed on debut for Manly’s rivals, completing a half-field breakaway at the hour mark.
Rookie log
- Hugo Hart stands out for the Sea Eagles, scoring twice against the Warriors. A former American football and rugby union prospect, Hart only began playing rugby league after joining Manly last year and quickly progressed to reserve-grade prominence. While a NRL debut soon looks unlikely, Manly’s hierarchy seems to have long-term plans for him, targeting a Top 30 spot by 2028.
Hot take
- Timing could be everything for Manly in 2026. Paul Bryan’s arrival, a former Knight whose sole NRL appearance ended with a season-ending shoulder dislocation, impressed in the pack and opened the scoring. With Caleb Navale’s ACL injury limiting forward depth, Bryan could become a pivotal presence in an aging Manly engine room as the year unfolds.
Final thoughts
- One trial doesn’t make a season. Manly’s kids were impressive, yet seven players were absent due to All Stars duties, and they’ll face stronger tests next week against South Sydney. The Warriors, by contrast, might feel disappointed by the opener given their experience advantage.
Preview and context
- The pre-season clash in Napier featured a strong Warriors lineup with stars like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Tanah Boyd. The Sea Eagles handed the reins to Walsh and Large in the halves, with Simione Laiafi starting at prop and Blake Wilson making his club debut on the wing.
- The Warriors squad included established names alongside young talents, while Manly leaned on their explosive young pairing and a mix of senior leadership from Wakeham and Waddell to balance the lineup.
Bottom line
- The match provided a hopeful glimpse into Manly’s future. Walsh and Large demonstrated they can steer a game, and the overall performance suggested there’s a viable blueprint for growth in 2026. Whether this momentum translates into a sustained season will depend on injuries, form, and how quickly the Warriors adapt to their evolving halves.
Would you like this rewritten version to emphasize more tactical insights and breakdowns of each key play, or keep the content leaning toward player profiles and match highlights with a broader narrative arc?
