2026 recruitment & retention
- Thread starter Disco
- Start date
The same guy who sat out matches for the Eels to save a few grand?
Let's hope not.....
Think the package deal is over with these two. Just crazy money by the Tige's to secure Samuella signature.
Agree, not for me. Hasn't shown much all season. No wonder the Eels are shopping him around.
Hope not, he is way past his best and his brother just ain't as good. That would be just buying another old hack because he is cheap. He has some baggage this young man, keep him and his family out of the joint.
We need to be making good long term signings we have enough age and experience within this squad at present and need to keep the balance right. Matterson would not be a smart signing in my opinion.
While I think we dropped the ball on Humphrey, would have liked to have kept Lawton (but he had a history of injury when Cowboys came knocking so understand our hesitation), think Sam Fainu is one we will regret (but hints at other underlying issues swaying our decision) - I also have seen a lot to like. Resigning a number of players early e.g. Saab, Paseka rumoured. Talau has been terrific, Simpkins a specialist hooker and Brooks has been good, if not quite the heights we hoped. Brown has been an absolute revelation AND if he continues for a few more years arguably our best value for money buy ever!!
I believe we are also not only looking after our local juniors more but also casting the net far and wide in the juniors e.g. QLD. Hayley, Jacksons x 2, Patu left field signing from union, Mason Peut to name a few. I think it shows we can't match some of the bigger clubs $$'s so we are forced to be more creative and hopefully pick up a few diamonds in the rough.
A lot of it hinges on DCE (and I love him) and Turbo (regardless of how good Koula/Hoppa are Turbo at his best is the best player in the game). Re DCE, rarely does a player get better post early 30's (he has) but can he do it for 2 more years without decline? Re Turbo, hard to see him getting back to his Dally M level. A lot will pivot on the answer to these 2.
I believe we are also not only looking after our local juniors more but also casting the net far and wide in the juniors e.g. QLD. Hayley, Jacksons x 2, Patu left field signing from union, Mason Peut to name a few. I think it shows we can't match some of the bigger clubs $$'s so we are forced to be more creative and hopefully pick up a few diamonds in the rough.
A lot of it hinges on DCE (and I love him) and Turbo (regardless of how good Koula/Hoppa are Turbo at his best is the best player in the game). Re DCE, rarely does a player get better post early 30's (he has) but can he do it for 2 more years without decline? Re Turbo, hard to see him getting back to his Dally M level. A lot will pivot on the answer to these 2.
Sea Eagle 4 Life
Bencher
Yeah, what a team player!
ManlyTragic
Bencher
Who’s the guy on the left with the tidy haircut?
hasn't he kicked on since that move.....plonker
Both Ryan Matterson and Bryce Cartwright apparently been tapped on the shoulder to explore elsewhere. Two more second row options hitting the market.
Now are they the right options? I’m not convinced on either for different reasons but are they are available and Manly need second rowers.
Would prefer to go for a younger player but who’s out there that teams would be willing to let go. Jacob Preston? Xavier Willison? Siua Wong? They all look to be long term projects for there respective clubs.
So even though Matterson and Cartwright are aging, have questionable mentality and medical concerns they are currently the best on the market that I can think off and are pretty good players overall.
Now are they the right options? I’m not convinced on either for different reasons but are they are available and Manly need second rowers.
Would prefer to go for a younger player but who’s out there that teams would be willing to let go. Jacob Preston? Xavier Willison? Siua Wong? They all look to be long term projects for there respective clubs.
So even though Matterson and Cartwright are aging, have questionable mentality and medical concerns they are currently the best on the market that I can think off and are pretty good players overall.
I think Cartwright has another three years left in him. His creativity on the left will balance out Olakau'atu's power game on the right. If he is available at the right price it's a yes from me. Hard no on Matterson though.
double hoops
First Grader
More and More. I LL be surprised if Matterson isnt wearing Maroon and White next year.
Adz
Reserve Grader
If the Eels cough up most of his salary next year I am grudgingly ok with a one year deal.
SeaEagleSI1
Reserve Grader
Broncos looking for another spoon
The Insomniac
Reserve Grader
Ha ha ha ! That is gold !
When will these clubs learn?
LeonardCohen
Bencher
It’s interesting too because you can bet Walters will be sacked if his side misses the finals and starts next year slowly. With that roster, it’s a concern to be struggling to make the 8. Maybe Baz will end up their caretaker too.
| Team | P | W | L | PD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
24 | 19 | 5 | 148 | 44 |
|
24 | 17 | 7 | 212 | 40 |
|
24 | 16 | 8 | 120 | 38 |
|
24 | 15 | 9 | 172 | 36 |
|
24 | 15 | 9 | 109 | 36 |
|
24 | 14 | 10 | 21 | 34 |
|
24 | 13 | 10 | 107 | 33 |
|
24 | 13 | 11 | 132 | 32 |
|
24 | 12 | 12 | 125 | 30 |
|
24 | 12 | 12 | 21 | 30 |
|
24 | 10 | 14 | -76 | 26 |
|
24 | 9 | 14 | -146 | 25 |
|
24 | 9 | 15 | -135 | 24 |
|
24 | 9 | 15 | -181 | 24 |
|
24 | 8 | 16 | -130 | 22 |
|
24 | 6 | 18 | -199 | 18 |
|
24 | 6 | 18 | -300 | 18 |