Manly's Ethan Bullemor believes it's natural for the coach of an underperforming team to face criticism but says it's "unfair" for Anthony Seibold to take sole blame for the Sea Eagles' doomed campaign.
Manly's ongoing four-game losing streak looks to have thwarted their NRL top-eight hopes, which hinge heavily on other results even if they win their last three regular-season games.
"I understand at the moment it's looking like it'll be quite hard but the only thing we can control is going out there. If we win three from three, there's nothing more we can do," said forward Bullemor.
The poorly-timed slump has led to public speculation as to the future of third-year coach Seibold, whose Sea Eagles sat seventh after 20 rounds before a sudden loss of attacking fervour.
With so much on the line, the Sea Eagles have dropped their last four games by a combined total of 116-32 - two of those losses coming to teams lower on the ladder at the time.
One of Manly's best players this year, Bullemor said it was inevitable that those outside the club would question Seibold.
"When the public perception is that a team hasn't aimed up to where they should, which is obviously probably the case for us, it's fair to say the number one person who I think can come under fire is often the head coach," he said.
"Probably at times it's unfair and maybe not called for."
Bullemor said the entire Manly organisation needed to accept responsibility for the season.
"A huge amount of it rests back on us, the playing group. I think him (Seibold) and our coaching staff give us every opportunity to go out and play well," he said.
"We're all in it together. That's what we mostly talk about.
"We've all got to shoulder the burden, right from the CEO all the way down to the bottom."
Bullemor recently recommitted to the Sea Eagles through to the end of the 2029 season, with superstar Haumole Olakau'atu the only active Manly player holding a longer deal.
Seibold handed Bullemor his NRL debut at Brisbane early in the 2020 season and the two have since formed a strong bond.
Bullemor "absolutely" hoped Seibold remained the long-term coach at Manly.
"I have a great personal relationship with 'Seibs', I have a great professional relationship with 'Seibs'," he said.
"He's got a great work ethic, he runs a very comprehensive program, which gives us every opportunity to play our best footy.
"He's a great people person, the way that he can separate the player you are and the performances you put out on the weekend, from the person you are as an actual individual.
"You might not have had your best game on the weekend, but (he'll) ask about your family or your study or whatever's going on outside (of footy). I think that's a really good quality to have in a head coach."
