DUFFMAN
Bencher
Inside Manly’s signing spree: Who else has re-signed, who is on the chopping block and where to next?
Manly has just completed one of the richest recruitment weeks in the club’s history — and they are not done with yet, writes MICHAEL CARAYANNIS.Manly’s multimillion-dollar spending spree is far from over with the Sea Eagles making it clear their premiership window is fast-approaching.
The Sea Eagles outlaid about $10 million worth of signings last week headlined by the impending arrival of Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks and the big money re-signings of Josh Schuster and Tolutau Koula.
They also added outside backs Jaxson Paulo and Tommy Talau.
“We believe we are coming into a premiership window,” said Manly boss Tony Mestrov. “You’ve seen us be quite aggressive in the player market. That’s no fluke. We believe we have players that have special talents that can compete for premierships.
“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves but we want to be a top year team year-on-year.”
Josh Schuster signed a lucrative new deal to stay with Manly.
The Sea Eagles are far from finished. It can be revealed that:
– Aaron Woods, Brad Parker, Christian Tuipulotu, Ethan Bullemor, Jamie Humphreys, Kaeo Weekes and Raymond Vaega are set to extend their time at the club.
– Big man Taniela Paseka is on the verge of a long-term deal.
– Samuela and Latu Fainu may not be the only players on the move, with Sean Keppie and Zac Fulton linked to early exits despite being contracted.
— Morgan Boyle and Morgan Harper are unlikely to be offered new deals.
— The club remains on the lookout for a Tom Trbojevic replacement for the rest of the season.
– Manly wants to add an experienced prop.
ALL-OUT ATTACK
The signing of Brooks followed by Schuster’s decision a day later to recommit to the club until the end of 2027 raised some eyebrows. Schuster will be forced into a positional switch but the Brooks, Schuster, Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans combination looms as one of the most potent attacking units in the competition.
“It gives us an incredible attacking unit,” Mestrov said.
“The first thing that impressed us with Luke was the amount of resilience he has shown. Being at the Tigers he has been getting so much criticism but has played through that. That is a big attraction.
“No player has copped more flak than Luke and it has been unnecessary. He and Daly will complement each other. No matter the number on Josh’s back he will continue to play the same.
“Josh loves the club. He stayed for less. It was a very quick negotiation.”
PRICE OF GOING ALL IN
Something had to give at the Sea Eagles given their rich spending spree and it will come at the cost of rising stars – the Fainu brothers. Latu had long been earmarked as a future elite NRL half but he and his back-rower brother Samuela could leave the club as early as this month. Latu’s rich deal where he would join the top 30 next season made it difficult to carry him on their books.
The brothers met the Tigers on Wednesday night and have already sat down with Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett.
“They are a long-term project and it is a salary cap issue,” Mestrov said.
Halfback: Jake Arthur
Arrived at the club recently and will be there until the end of 2025.
Five-eighth: Josh Schuster
Just inked a new three-year extension taking him through to the 2027 season. His new contract is worth about $2.5 million.Centre: Tommy Talau
Versatile player who, like Brooks, joins the club from the Tigers. Signed a two-year deal.Winger: Raymond Vaega
Capable winger who has agreed to a new one-year deal.Winger: Christian Tuipulotu
Contracted until the end of 2024. But has already taken up a new one year deal which will keep him at the club until the end of 2025.Fullback: Kaeo Weekes
Utility back has agreed to a 12-month extension.Winger/Centre: Jaxson Paulo
Roosters outside back who has signed to join Manly on a three-year contract.Halfback: Daly Cherry-Evans
Manly skipper still at the top of his game. Contracted until the end of 2025.Fullback: Tom Trbojevic
Injured superstar who has a deal until the end of 2026.Centre: Morgan Harper
Contract won’t be renewed. Sea Eagles unlikely to stand in his way if he wanted to make a mid-season move.Halfback: Luke Brooks
Agreed to a four year deal until the end of 2027 where he will partner Cherry-Evans in the halves.Winger: Jason Saab
Manly flyer who has a long-term deal until the end of 2026.Winger/Centre: Reuben Garrick
Valuable outside back whose deal keeps him at the club until 2026.Halfback: Latu Fainu
Has a top 30 contract next season but has been told he can move on immediately. Tigers frontrunners to land his signature but the Dolphins are also circling.Halfback: Jamie Humphreys
On a development deal this year but has received a top 30 contract for next season.Centre: Brad Parker
Manly junior who is off-contract at the end of season. Expected to sign a new two year deal with the club.“Latu is going to be a terrific player in the future. But he is 18 and a little way away from playing regular first grade. We felt the club needed to be in a position to have potential immediate success and we see that opportunity with Daly and Luke.”
The brothers might not be the only players headed for the exits. The last remaining Fulton – Zac who has played just one NRL game – could also be on the move having been linked to the Tigers.
Keppie has also attracted immediate interest after being dumped to NSW Cup this week.
Manly forwards
Lock: Zac Fulton
The last remaining Fulton at the club. Despite having 12 months left on his contract he too could be moved on before his deal expires.Prop: Morgan Boyle
A free agent who is unlikely to be at the club next season. Hasn’t played first grade this year and featured in just three games in 2021 and 2022.Prop: Sean Keppie
Despite having a deal until the end of 2026 could be squeezed out of the club because of salary cap constraints. Plenty of rival clubs already keen.Second-rower: Kelma Tuilagi
In the first year of a three year deal at Manly. Rival clubs interested given Manly’s planned back-row switch for Schuster.Second-rower: Samuela Fainu
Has been given permission to leave the club. Tigers and Dolphins among the frontrunners for his signature.Second-rower: Ben Trbojevic
Contracted until the end of next year. Club keen to extend.Second-rower: Ben Condon
Arrived this season. Contracted until 2025.Second-rower: Haumole Olakatu'atu
The next big player the Sea Eagles are looking to tie down. Rival clubs already putting the feelers out despite the back-rower being contracted until the end of 2025. Was given un upgrade this year but Manly working on a new deal.Prop: Taniela Paseka
Club has put together a new three year deal for the towering prop his contract ends at the end of next season. They are confident Paseka will extend shortly.Second-rower: Ethan Bullemor
One of three players to have played every game this season. Contract expires this year but has a two year deal on the table that he is likely to take up.Prop: Josh Aloiai
Up and down form so far this year but still has two years left on his deal.Prop: Toafofoa Sipley
Forward leader who has a contract for another two years.Lock: Jake Trbojevic
Contracted until the end of 2026Hooker: Lachlan Croker
Reliable hooker who still has 12 months left on his deal.Prop: Aaron Woods
The 32-year-old has been offered a 12 month extension after joining the club from the Dragons earlier this year. Will be there in 2024.NOT GIVING UP ON 2023
Trbojevic’s injury threatens to derail Manly’s 2023 season. Manly were 13th on the ladder heading into this round and are one point behind the Roosters who they play on Sunday. The club made a play for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck to fill Trbojevic’s role for the rest of the year but were told he needed six weeks to get himself physically right.
“That’s an ongoing process,” Mestrov said.
“We can’t replace Tom but we’re trying to bring in a quality player to boost our chances of making the top eight. That’s a work in progress. It’s not as easy as everything thinks. Players aren’t available and clubs are reluctant to let back-up fullbacks go but we have the money (about $350,000) set aside.”
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