Anthony Seibold has been quizzed on whether he has a “good relationship” with his players, and the Sea Eagles coach hit back in emphatic fashion.

Seibold’s future has come under the microscope at different stages this season, with Manly struggling for form in the wake of Daly Cherry-Evans’ bombshell decision.

The veteran halfback in March revealed ths 2025 season would be his last at Brookvale, sparking rumours of instability within the playing group.

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Speaking to media on Thursday, Seibold was quizzed on whether he has the support of his stars.

“Yeah, you’re trying to get a headline there mate,” Seibold said.

“It’s a pretty average question. What do you want me to say?”

The reporter then responded and asked if Seibold feels like he is being supported by the club and the playing group.

“Yeah, definitely,”

“We were a 50 per cent season last week, we lost a pretty tough game against the Roosters so I feel like I am well supported.

“I feel like I support the players well on the flip side of that, but I’m not really going to answer that because you’re trying to get a headline mate”.

Elsewhere, Seibold also explained Tom Trbojevic is no certainty to remain at fullback next week when Lehi Hopoate is expected to return from the AC joint injury that has ruled him out of Friday’s trip to take on the ladder-leading Raiders.

A banged-up Hopoate hasn’t been able to do contact work at training for the past fortnight and is nursing a couple of injuries after he copped an accidental knee to the head from Roosters fullback James Tedesco that forced him off for a head injury assessment that he passed.

“Hopefully only this week,” Seibold replied when asked how long the youngster would be out for.

“He hasn’t been able to do contact at training for some time with his AC, and then he copped another bang on his head when Tedesco went through and there was an accidental collision.

“He had another HIA, and he’s had a few of them recently, and he’s pretty banged up with the AC joint, so the best thing for us on another short turnaround was to try to let that settle.

“For ‘Hoppa’ to be at his best, he needs to be able to do contact at training and train fully, but unfortunately he hasn’t been able to do that over the past couple of weeks.

“We made a medical decision around that, and hopefully he’ll be all right (next week) because we have a longer turnaround.”

Hopoate has spent plenty of time at fullback this season, as Trbojevic has been shifted to right centre for the past five matches, although he spent time at the back last week while Hopoate was off the field and then again at the end as they chased points.

Trbojevic’s move to the outside backs was never meant to be permanent and was seen as a way to take the stress off his body after a horror run of injuries.

Hopoate is the long-term option at the back, but Trbojevic won a Dally M Medal playing there and is Manly’s best choice right now as they look to stay in touch with the top eight.

Seibold said the medical staff could have needled Hopoate up but thought it was unfair on a young man who should be fit to return for next Sunday’s game against the Wests Tigers.

It’s unclear whether he’ll slot straight in at the back or move to the left wing, with Seibold to do whatever he feels is best for the Sea Eagles.

“It’s always been a week-to-week decision,” he said.

“Every decision I make is what I think is best for the team for that particular week. I think ‘Turbo’ going back to fullback this week is the best thing for our team.

“Turbo filled in when Lehi was off against the Roosters and did a good job there, and he’s world class.

“We’ve spoken about this being Turbo’s best position, but we’ve also made a decision on what’s best for the team over the last couple of weeks.

“Lehi needed some time out and we’ve got a pretty good fullback coming in.”