Sea Eagles fullback crisis—what will Kieran Foran do?

The Sea Eagles are flying high, sitting fourth on the NRL ladder with seven wins from their past eight matches since Kieran Foran took over as interim head coach.

But while the wins keep coming, there’s one issue that could create real tension at Brookvale in the not-too-distant future.

Put simply, Manly has a fullback crisis—specifically, they have too many and while players may be prepared to park their ambitions for a while, Kieran Foran may struggle to keep them all happy in the mid to long-term.

Club captain Tom Trbojevic is still the club’s first choice No.1 when healthy, however as was on display at multiple stages during the 2025 NRL season Lehi Hopoate is far more than just a winger.

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NSW Origin debutant Tolu Koula has also shown exceptional potential at the back when opportunity has presented itself, while Clayton Faulalo has been outstanding in recent weeks covering for Trbojevic including Saturday night’s gritty win in the wet over the Titans.

All men have genuine claims as full-time NRL custodians, but four players into one position doesn’t go.

With Trbojevic, 29, set to return from his latest hamstring injury in the coming weeks it looms as one of Kieran Foran’s first big selection tests—not so much who he chooses, but how he keeps the players who miss out happy and motivated.

The man most likely to make way is 25-year-old Faulalo who will become a free agent on November 1 and will surely attract plenty of attention from NRL rivals.

Lehi Hopoate is contracted with Manly until at least the end of 2028 while Tolu Koula recently signed a monster extension until 2031.

It’s a nice problem for Foran to have—but a problem nonetheless.

Sea Eagles fullback crisis—what will Kieran Foran do?

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