Manly players have been told to embrace the chaos, tackling weekly mystery training sessions in a bid to end a horror run of NRL capitulations.

The Sea Eagles enter 2025 as one of the competition's genuine dark horses, with enough talent and x-factor to end the club's 14-year title drought.

Coach Anthony Seibold has labelled this year's roster the best he's had in three years at the club, with genuine depth in key positions such as fullback.

But Manly know they must shake their tag of the league's biggest faders to achieve anything, after giving up leads of 14, 16, 20, 12 and 16 points last season.

In response, players have been given a day of training each week where no schedule is outlined, with surprise beach wrestling sessions and public runs among activities sprung on them.

"Our game is chaotic, rugby league is a chaotic game out there on the field," Seibold said.

"So the way we prepare, we certainly have a day each week where we try and put the guys in situations that are unfamiliar, where they don't know the schedule.

"We had a few things last year, three sin-bins when we had a 16-0 lead (against Wests Tigers), losing two players at the start of a game (against Sydney Roosters).

"There were all situations where we want to be able to handle chaos, things might go against us but how do we move on quickly?"

Manly were given an extra test of that approach last weekend, when their trial against South Sydney was delayed by 100 minutes due to a paramedic issue.

The Sea Eagles have also put a focus on players controlling their emotions, with most capitulations coming quickly in the form of back-to-back-to-back tries against them.

"Identifying it is the first thing, making sure you are aware there is a problem," Daly Cherry-Evans said.

"The mental skills capacity is really important, understanding how to come in and out of focus, and having control of your emotions is really big.

"It's also just putting yourself under pressure at training, to simulate certain aspects.

"It all translates back to how focused we are in our sessions. Because we've shown our good was pretty good, but there is definitely some improvement in us."

Seibold has opted to rest several of his stars for Friday night's trial against a reserve-grade Penrith side at Leichhardt.

He still has a decision to make in his backline given the rise of Lehi Hopoate, who is now a genuine strike back-up option to Tom Trbojevic at No.1.

Seibold believes the club's forward depth has also improved, with Siua Taukeiaho in the mix for a round-one spot and Matt Lodge brought back on a NSW Cup deal.

"I feel like it is (the best squad I've had at Manly)," Seibold said.

"We have added more depth. (And) Luke Brooks has been here for 12 months now ... Reuben Garrick has had 12 months (at centre).."