No deal: Morgan Harper hoses down rumours of a Parramatta player swap with Nathan Brown

There was speculation last week about a possible swap deal between the Eels and Manly, which would see Harper head west and former State of Origin backrower Brown switch to the Northern Beaches.

Now preparing for his fourth season with Manly, Harper noted he spoke immediately with new Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold about the reports.

“I just read it as well,” Harper told CODE Sports at Manly’s season launch on Wednesday.

“Seibs came in and we spoke about it. He was just saying it wasn’t going to happen.

“I’m just solely focused on working hard and putting my best foot forward for Manly.

“I love it here and I’ll be working hard trying to get some results for Manly.”

Seibold also hosed down speculation this week, saying any talk of a player swap had come from Parra.

Harper suffered a scare on Friday night, leaving the field with a knee injury during Manly’s trial win over the Roosters in Gosford.

He escaped serious injury and is hopeful of being fit for the Sea Eagles’ opening game of the season against the Bulldogs on March 4.

The two-time Maori All Stars representative has played 45 of his 47 NRL games for Manly after debuting with Canterbury in 2019.

He was on the wrong side of a rampaging Siosifa Talakai performance last April, with the Sharks centre scoring two tries and running for 193m just days after Harper had recovered from Covid.

Then-Manly coach Des Hasler dropped Harper to reserve grade for a week, but he soon regained his spot in the starting 13 before a shoulder injury ended his season.

The centre now says he’s determined to earn his spot in the starting side under Seibold.

“I came into preseason this year with a fresh mindset of trying to lock down a spot, and I’ll keep working hard to do that,” he said.

“(Seibold) is just a bit different (to Hasler) – he’s very good at what he does. I’ve enjoyed being under him and everyone’s just having a crack.”