PHONES down. When it comes to team culture and bonding, Trent Barrett isn’t messing around.

That’s why mobile phones have been banned from the Manly locker room.

Determined to unite his team, the coach has taken the drastic step of banning his players from using their phones while in a team environment.

This includes training, while in the sheds and during team gatherings.

Round 19

Foxsports.com.au also understands the players have been warned about the use of social media and posting group photos in a bid to stop cliques forming.

The policy is no idle threat either. Players are fined if they are seen using their phones instead of interacting with each other at training.

According to Jake Trbojevic, who was named Sea Eagles vice-captain last week, Barrett’s hard-line stance on technology is already paying dividends.

“When we’re out to lunch there’s no phones,” Trbojevic told foxsports.com.au.

“When we’re in the gym, there’s no phones either. That’s all pretty self-explanatory.

“When you’re around the team in that kind of environment, if you’re on your phone you’ll get fined. That’s a good thing.

Trent Barrett and assistant John Cartwright at Manly training. Picture: Braden Fastier Source: News Corp Australia

“The idea is to get you talking to your mates, and everyone’s buying into it, that one’s going well.

“You do notice the boys getting closer and a tighter group, a tough pre-season helps that too.

“You definitely see it, the boys are pumped and raring to go.”

Wayne Bennett installed a similar ban on phones when he first returned to Red Hill for the Broncos 2015 pre-season, with the camaraderie in the squad a key factor in their charge to that year’s grand final.

Barrett’s own old school methods first came to attention outside the Sea Eagles sanctum when he directed the team bus to a local pub on the way home after an early season win over the Roosters.

Only a beer or two each were downed at the Brookvale Hotel, but to a man, Manly were there.

They kept coming back throughout a difficult season, with rough and tumble clubman Trbojevic a big fan of the regular, low key bonding sessions.

“That (pub trip) was great and one I enjoyed too. We kept it up last year and started going to Brookie pub after games last year a lot as a team,” Trbojevic said.

Jake Trbojevic is a fan of Barrett’s old school ways. Source: Getty Images

“It was good because there was usually a lot of supporters there and they get around you, it was good vibes and a good way to get unwind after a game.”

Aside from recruiting Blake Green to help ease the pressure placed on star half Daly Cherry-Evans, another major attraction in securing the 30-year-old was the setups he’s spent time in.

The five-eighth has tasted success with the Michael Maguire coached Wigan side before enjoying the last two seasons in Melbourne.

As part of his move to the Sea Eagles, Barrett asked Green to help change the culture of the club.

“It’s hard to define culture or a certain act but all those little things contribute to building good team moral and getting to know each other,” Green said.

“In turn a mateship starts to develop a culture. All those things are important for culture, being on time and punctual.

“Some of those things Trent has been doing off the field are going to help bring us closer together and understand each other.



He’s only had the team for a short period of time but they are close and there’s plenty of energy from the young fellas.”

As one of only three Manly coaches in the last 50 years to have not played for the club, Barrett is working overtime to put his own personal stamp on the famous Sea Eagles system.

Green is adamant “there’s no five year plan” for the maroon and whites rebuild, with results expected this season.

That demand is already being tipped as the cause of the team’s buy in to Barrett’s foot philosophy.

“The club’s in a transitional period,” Green said.

“We’re trying to fast track that. We don’t have any five year plans or anything.

“We need to get success as quick as we can. There’s a lot of new players to the group and were doing the best we can to build a new culture.”

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