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Manly have left some fans bewildered by the unique way Tom Trbojevic was unveiled as the team's new captain on Monday.
In a slight departure from what might be expected of a captain's unveiling, the Sea Eagles squad gathered in a circle in a car park.
Some players, including their coach Anthony Seibold, sipped on coffee as the Manly boss delivered the news that Trbojevic, who is nicknamed 'Turbo', would succeed Daly Cherry-Evans as the club's skipper for 2025.
'[I'm] really proud to be able to announce our captain for this season,' Seibold said.
'Obviously we've got some really good leaders in the club, but as a club we've decided to go with Turbo as captain for this season.
'With Chez departing, we've had a number of good candidates, but Turbo's going to lead us out.'
Manly Sea Eagles star Tom Trbojevic (pictured) has been appointed as the club's new captain for the 2026 season
Anthony Seibold (right) addressed the training group on Monday, but bizarrely made the announcement in a car park
Trbojevic was appointed to the vacancy on returning for pre-season on Monday, a month after signing a contract extension that ended speculation over his future.
The 29-year-old has been stand-in captain twice before, once in 2024 and 2025, and beat brother and former NSW skipper Jake to the permanent role.
But some were left bewildered by the Sea Eagles' decision to make the announcement in a car park, with some arguing that it wasn't a very fitting or memorable place for such a momentous occasion.
'Nothing more inspiring than an announcement made in a parking lot, coffee in hand, looking at the ground,' one fan wrote on X. 'I've been moved to tears.'
'What a special way to present it, so forgettable,' one said.
'To be fair, they have not had many options since Trent left and took his outdoor furniture with him,' another wrote.
One added: 'Love how his sort of announcement was done in a car park...'
'Wasn't there a better setting than a car park,' another laughed.
Footy fans joked they'd been 'moved to tears' after seeing how Manly had announced their new captain
Trbojevic becomes only Manly's second full-time captain since the start of the 2017 season, when departing halfback Cherry-Evans first took on the role
Softly-spoken Trbojevic becomes only Manly's second full-time captain since the start of the 2017 season, when departing halfback Cherry-Evans first took on the role.
He is tasked with rousing the Sea Eagles into a new era following the exit of Sydney Roosters recruit Cherry-Evans, their long-time on-field general and most-capped player of all time.
'Tom leads through his actions on and off the field,' said coach Anthony Seibold.
'I know he'll do a great job as captain.'
Manly endured a mixed 2025 season that was overshadowed by speculation about Cherry-Evans' departure. The club would end the campaign in 10th place.
Cherry-Evans' replacement, ex-Canberra veteran Jamal Fogarty, arrived at Brookvale Oval on Monday for his first day of training.
Injury-stricken Trbojevic will hope a full pre-season can translate into his first campaign of playing more than 20 games since 2018.
'The next few months of pre-season will be tough but it's an exciting time for all of us as we prepare for the new season,' he said.
Injury-stricken Trbojevic will hope a full pre-season can translate into his first campaign of playing more than 20 games since 2018
Elsewhere, South Sydney have held off the threat of breakaway rugby competition R360 and extended Jye Gray's contract through to 2029.
The 21-year-old fullback had a breakout season in 2025, leading the Dally M Medal count early in the campaign, and could keep Latrell Mitchell in the centres this pre-season.
Gray had already been contracted for 2026 and looms as crucial to the Rabbitohs' hopes of improving on this year's disappointing 14th-placed finish.
'I'm determined to repay the faith they (Souths) have shown in me by putting my best foot forward over the next few years to help us achieve our goals,' he said.
