Toff Sipley is always upbeat. It doesn’t matter what the situation is.
Asked how’s the first month of pre-season training's been for the Sea Eagles, the popular clubman just bursts with enthusiasm.
“This is my eighth pre-season now,’’ Sipley said, wearing it like a badge of honour.
“I’m the oldest at pre-season at the moment but not in the team. Pre-season is very tough. It always is.
"The beach session we had at Long Reef…that was hard, but we all pulled through together and it will only make us stronger as a group.”
Sipley is one of those players and characters every club needs.
A man who works tirelessly on improving his craft, Sipley's naturally infectious personality brings that feeling of belonging and togetherness to the squad.
It's why team-mates and supporters were quick to congratulate Sipley on reaching 50 first grade games this season for a man who has endured his fair share of knee injuries and time in the NSW Cup.
At 27, Sipley is enjoying passing on his first grade experiences as an NRL prop to the younger players coming through.
He will also become more of a senior leader in 2023 as he looks to lead the Manly forward pack alongside the likes of Josh Aloai, Taniela Paseka, and Sean Keppie to name a few.
“I try my best. I’m not really much of a talker who can stand in a room and say do this and do that’’ Sipley admitted.
“I’m more about the one on one, personal chats.
"If anything, I try to lead by example and do my best.
“I’m just me. Bring the energy when I can.”
Sipley said he was impressed with some of the young forward talent on show at pre-season training.
“Viliami Fifita has been good. He’s like a sponge. He asks a lot of questions and takes in all the information passed on from the coaches and ‘old fellas’ like me,'' Sipley said.
“And Austin Dias has been pretty solid. He is another one to watch.
“A shout out to 'my man' Alec Tuitavake…big ‘Leks’ is chipping away after his knee operation. I know he wants to have a good season, so look out for him when he returns.”
Sipley also has another reason to enjoy life after getting engaged to long time partner, Nancy, in Fiji during his holiday break.
