Feleti Mateo described the Sea Eagles situation as "messy" at times last year and despite uncertainty surrounding his future he made it clear to incoming coach Trent Barrett that he would fulfil his contract.
Mateo was one of up to a dozen players the Eagles reportedly told to look elsewhere despite having a year to run on his contract. The uncertainty surrounding his future and the ongoing speculation about who would coach the club took its toll.
"Toovs [former coach Geoff Toovey] leaving and different players leaving it was a bit messy towards the end of the year," Mateo said. "But now everyone knows what they are doing, we can all strive to the one goal. The coaching staff has done really well."
Mateo was adamant he was going to stay at the club regardless of the insecurity. He said he felt relieved after a frank discussion with new coach Trent Barrett.
"It was pretty tough," Mateo said. "Not just on myself but everyone. A lot of guys' futures were unknown.
"The 12 players got named and myself being one – it was hard to take at first, especially not knowing. That's the hardest part, the unknown.
"When Trent got appointed he assured me he wanted me here, that gave me security. I have to thank him for believing in me so far, hopefully he picks me in round one.
"It's hard to go into it because we were in season and that's why you have managers to take care of that stuff. You start to hear the rumours and you buy into it and you start looking elsewhere.
"Either way I was going to stay. I made that clear to the club before Trent said anything to me. I'm happy I'm still here.
"I wanted to honour my contract. Once Trent came along and reassured me everything was fine, I didn't think I was going to be stranded.
"I knew what I was going to do, it was just if the new coach coming in was going to play me or not."
Manly have undergone the biggest turnover Mateo has seen in a career spanning more than a decade. Barrett brought with him a new coaching staff while the likes of Dylan Walker, Nate Myles and Lewis Brown have been added to the playing squad.
Mateo said the pre-season focus had been on team cohesion.
"I'm usually the one getting turned over," Mateo said. "This is probably the biggest I've seen, especially with coaching staff as well. Everyone has gelled well. It's been an enjoyable few months.
"For us trying to get to know each other more so has been the biggest challenge. Everyone does the same hard work during the pre-season. For us we're faced with different challenges trying to gel and I think we've done a good job.
"I understand there is a lot of great players in my position. [Barrett] has to pick the best 17. I'm under no illusions that I've got the spot cemented."
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