Manly Sea Eagles players strict expectations laid out ahead of historic Vegas trip
The Sea Eagles players have been told to enjoy the historic Vegas trip but not too much.
What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas – unless you're an NRL team. Manly will formulate a strict do's and don'ts list covering expectations around player movement and behaviour while they're in the world's entertainment capital for next year's historic NRL premiership kick-off.
The Sea Eagles will take on South Sydney while Brisbane meets the Roosters in a doubleheader at Las Vegas's 65,000-seat Allegiant Stadium on March 2. Manly will be the only club staying in Vegas for the entire week, with the other three sides basing themselves elsewhere in the States before flying into Nevada in the days leading up to kick-off.
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CEO Tony Mestrov, coach Anthony Seibold and football manager John Bonasera will leave on a fact-finding tour to Vegas next month to check out training venues and facilities, accommodation, transport and security. "The bottom line is we are going there in March to win a football game and bring home two premiership points," Mestrov told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"That is our main priority and focus. Having said that, we are also mindful that this is once in a lifetime experience for the players and we don’t intend locking them away in their hotel rooms when they're not training or playing.
"We're basing ourselves in Vegas for the whole week and there's a reason for that. We want the players to get a feel of the place before getting on with the job and that will include taking in some of the sites and attractions Vegas has to offer."
"Along with our head of security Mick Malligan, we will work out a schedule that allows the players some free time early in the week for team-specific activities that will give them ample time to sample the Vegas atmosphere and experience."
"The players know the expectations on them as ambassadors of the club and the game and I'm sure we will get the mix right between them enjoying themselves and getting a first-up win. We're excited about the opportunity and can’t wait to get over there."
Manly to learn from some of the best sporting teams in the US
As part of their trip to the US next month, Mestrov, Seibold and Bonasera will visit NBA outfit the Brooklyn Nets, the world-famous New York Yankees baseball franchise, the NFL's LA Rams and drop in on UFC headquarters in Vegas.
Mestrov said: "These are some of the biggest sports organisations on the planet and this will be a tremendous opportunity for us to look at how they go about their business."
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