Squad Game: Sea Eagles 2022 roster changes and best 17

Here is all you need to know about the Manly Sea Eagles ahead of the 2022 Telstra Premiership season.

The Lowdown

Overview

For all the focus on Tom Trbojevic's heroics, the breakout seasons of several emerging stars were just as critical to Manly's stunning 2021 turnaround and they'll enter the new season full of self-belief and confidence. Des Hasler's squad goes into 2022 as one of the sides least disrupted by personnel changes and a first premiership since 2011 is certainly not out of the question.

Possible best 17

1. Tom Trbojevic, 2. Jason Saab, 3. Brad Parker, 4. Morgan Harper, 5. Reuben Garrick, 6. Kieran Foran, 7. Daly Cherry-Evans, 8. Josh Aloiai, 9. Lachlan Croker, 10. Martin Taupau, 11. Haumole Olaka'uatu, 12. Josh Schuster, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Dylan Walker, 15. Sean Keppie, 16. Karl Lawton, 17. Taniela Paseka.

Key changes

NRL regulars Curtis Sironen, Cade Cust and Moses Suli have all departed but none was commanding a spot in a full-strength 17 last year. Emerging Broncos forward Ethan Bullemor is the only signing of note so far.

Health check

Prop Josh Aloiai is suspended for the opening three rounds of the 2022 premiership after being suspended for dangerous throw in last season's preliminary final loss to South Sydney. Aloiai is also recovering for a bout of COVID-19 that forced him to abandon his off-season fight with Paul Gallen. There are currently no major injury concerns in Manly's top 30 heading into next season, with Morgan Boyle (shoulder) and Andrew Davey (knee) expected to play in the February's trials.

Biggest question mark

The departures impact depth a little in the backs and playmaking stocks, but other players will rise to take those spots. The main question is whether the likes of Lachlan Croker, Josh Schuster, Haumole Olakau'atu, Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick can replicate or improve on their respective breakout 2021 seasons.

Opening month

Manly start with two away games against Penrith and the Roosters (at Gosford) before home clashes with the Bulldogs and Raiders (in Mudgee). Manly will be doing well not to start 0-2 but given what they did last year from 0-4, it won't be the end of the world.

Toughest stretch

Starting with Souths at Stadium Australia in round eight, and notwithstanding a home game against Wests Tigers a week after, Manly head into a tough run of three straight away games with Brisbane at Suncorp followed by the Eels at CommBank and Storm at AAMI Park.

Make it count

Following that, Manly are camped at 4Pines Park through the Origin period with four home games out of five coming against the Warriors, Cowboys, Storm and Knights. The only away game is a bus trip to face the Tigers at Campbelltown with the Storm likely the only match in that run where Manly will not start favourites.

• Full NRL 2022 draw

NRL Fantasy: Sea Eagles 2022 prices

Tom Trbojevic: WFB, $1,000,000
Daly Cherry-Evans: HLF, $822,000
Reuben Garrick: WFB, $668,000
Jake Trbojevic: MID, $641,000
Haumole Olakau'atu: MID/EDG, $620,000
Martin Taupau: MID, $614,000
Josh Schuster: EDG, $601,000
Lachlan Croker: HLF/HOK, $561,000
Morgan Harper: CTR, $500,000
Josh Aloiai: MID, $497,000
Dylan Walker: HLF/MID, $423,000
Taniela Paseka: MID, $422,000
Kieran Foran: HLF, $419,000
Sean Keppie: MID/EDG, $402,000
Karl Lawton: HOK/EDG, $400,000
Jason Saab: WFB, $369,000
Brad Parker: CTR, $354,000
Ethan Bullemor: MID, $331,000
Toafofoa Sipley: MID, $314,000
Morgan Boyle: MID, $290,000
Ben Trbojevic: CTR, $240,000
Andrew Davey: EDG, $240,000
Christian Tuipulotu: WFB, $240,000
Jorge Taufua: WFB, $240,000
Tolutau Koula: CTR/WFB, $220,000
Sione Fainu: MID, $220,000
Alec Tu'itavake: MID, $220,000