Manly coach Anthony Seibold explains resting young talent Joey Walsh during a crucial loss, citing tactical decisions despite team struggles.
Manly coach Anthony Seibold has revealed why he elected to leave exciting young gun Joey Walsh on the bench for the entirety of his side's heartbreaking golden point loss to Canberra.
Walsh, seen by many as the long-term successor to Daky Cherry-Evans, was arguably Manly's best during the Pre-Season Challenge and heading into the season opener, Sea Eagles fans were keen to see what impact the teen sensation would have against the Raiders.
With the NRL changing the interchange size from four to six players, it now gives teams the luxury of picking an extra half or outside back in case injury strikes or a spark is needed.
Manly certainly could have used something in attack during the middle to late stages of the game when Canberra had all the running to score 28 straight points, with Manly left scoreless from the 19th to the 74th minute.
However, Seibold resisted putting Walsh on. In the post-match press conference, Manly's coach revealed why he made that decision with somewhat of a terse reply to a journalist's question.