2025 recruitment & retention

I wouldn't be surprised if we keep Matterson & his brother joins him here.
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.
 
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'm already having flash backs of Jamie Buhrer as a kid wearing a pepsi jersey.
Jamie%20Buhrer%20the%20fan%20with%20Des%20Hasler.jpg
 
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.
 
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.

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.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Latest posts

Team P W L PD Pts
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0
Back
Top Bottom