2025 recruitment & retention

[frank stokes]

Where is Jimmy the Jet these days?

Saw him named in the "Legends" Origin team charity match on NRL360 last night...

 

[frank stokes]

Wouldn't be overly interested anyway, as pretty much his twilight years at best....but if true he would favour the Dogs, any interest at all would be shot on the spot.

Pretty good bench player option - I would have him over Waddell, Burbo, Navale and Bully (most days - Bully has been good towards the back of this season though)...

Lawton leaving, Lodge leaving?... could be a very handy pickup... "at the right price" of course...

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Lawton leaving, Lodge leaving?... could be a very handy pickup... "at the right price" of course...

He used to be a top player (allegedly on 250k according to Rothfield in his premiership years at Chooks, yeah right) but that was a fair while ago.

Could simply be that Manly has to look at options in case Lodge ends up elsewhere, or at least be seen to be looking at options so Lodge doesn't think he has Manly over a barrel.

If we did end up with Tevaga, Brown, and Sio too, it would be an extremely experienced pack, probably make it easier for players like Burbo and Navale to prosper with so much experience around them. (Assuming of course the experience was a)motivated and b) physically capable.)

 

[frank stokes]

(Assuming of course the experience was a)motivated and b) physically capable.)

Not sure about his physical state as I have not followed Sio's career closely but seem to remember he had some knee issues? (Which NRL player doesn't, am I right?)

However, I am starting to get the impression that it would be harder to not be motivated than it would be to maintain motivation in a squad that includes Jake, Chez, Tom and Browny...

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Not sure about his physical state as I have not followed Sio's career closely but seem to remember he had some knee issues? (Which NRL player doesn't, am I right?)

However, I am starting to get the impression that it would be harder to not be motivated than it would be to maintain motivation in a squad that includes Jake, Chez, Tom and Browny...

Yeah signing 'old' forwards who may or may not be washed up is always interesting.
Ben Kennedy springs to mind, also Joe Galavao, Shane Rodney... and now Brown. Flip side of course was Myles.

 

[TJ55]

Yeah signing 'old' forwards who may or may not be washed up is always interesting.
Ben Kennedy springs to mind, also Joe Galavao, Shane Rodney... and now Brown. Flip side of course was Myles.

BK, that’s a name I havent heard in years that was a great period of footy

 

[maxta]

Pretty good bench player option - I would have him over Waddell, Burbo, Navale and Bully (most days - Bully has been good towards the back of this season though)...

Lawton leaving, Lodge leaving?... could be a very handy pickup... "at the right price" of course...

Agree with most you posted apart from young Navale who could suprise in 2025, even though nearing career end he has those boys covered, but soon as I hear his preference is elsewhere, I prefer to lock the door....plus Lodge likely to stay.

 

[BOZO]

The Salary cap is only as affective as the efficient people that manage it
I am Glad that players like Woods and Parker have been released and we can use funds to upgrade and retain capable players

Our Bruised , Battered , Brave and one dimensional defensive oriented Hooker Croker I believe is reaching his use by date and it is time to look for an upgrade
Because with upgrades the only way is up

 

[frank stokes]

Agree with most you posted apart from young Navale who could suprise in 2025, even though nearing career end he has those boys covered, but soon as I hear his preference is elsewhere, I prefer to lock the door....plus Lodge likely to stay.

Yeah definitely not writng Navale off... just think he is a season or so off NRL right now...

 

[frank stokes]

Sio last two in the UK
Last year played 10 games
This year didn’t play any before getting fired (for being late or not going to a team meeting or something like that)
He also failed his fitness test at the dogs at the start of the year.

Well,none of that sounds good 😁

He was certainly a player at the rorters so maybe that bird has flown? Could be another Nathan Brown tho?

 

[frank stokes]

Flip side of course was Myles.

You had to ruin it SER8...

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

Manly Sea Eagles​

Sea Eagles 2025 Player Movements​

2025 Gains

Joey Walsh (2027)

2025 Losses

Bailey Hodgson (Leigh Leopards), Jamie Humphreys (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Karl Lawton (North Queensland Cowboys), Brad Parker (retired), Josh Schuster (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Aaron Woods (retired)

Re-Signed

Josh Aloiai (2027), Nathan Brown (2026), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (2025), Haumole Olakau'atu (2031), Taniela Paseka (2029), Jason Saab (2029), Ben Trbojevic (2027)

Off Contract 2024

Matthew Lodge, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Corey Waddell

Rumours
Corey Waddell has resigned 3 Years (no club statement)
Jazz Tevaga 1 year deal (no club statement)
Matt Lodge (Manly have offered 1 year he wants 2 years) rumours is Newcastle and St George are talking to him) lives in Manly loves the area.
Micheal Chee Kham did hear it might be a development deal
Ronald VolkMan has been out of the game a year might be a development deal or NSW cup


1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Tommy Talau
3. Tolutau Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Jason Saab
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Toafofoa Sipley
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
Interchange
14. Jake Simpkin
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Nathan Brown
17. Ethan Bullemor
Rest of squad
18. Ben Condon
19. Clayton Faulalo
20. Aitasi James
21. Dean Matterson
22. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
23. Jaxson Paulo
24. Joey Walsh
25. Aaron Schoupp
26. Jake Arthur
27. No player signed.
28. No player signed.
29. No player signed.
30. No player signed.

Roster spots open: 4
2025 development list
1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Caleb Navale

 

[Ohgeez]

Depending on what lodge does I could see Sipley asking for a release which would be a shame because he is good depth. No superstar but I’m sure he could be making the 17 at teams like Drags, Tigers, Warriors, eels

 

[Disco]

Sio last two in the UK
Last year played 10 games
This year didn’t play any before getting fired (for being late or not going to a team meeting or something like that)
He also failed his fitness test at the dogs at the start of the year.

Yeah he seems completely busted. No thanks.

Was a great player back on the day though

 

[eaglebuzz]

I think we are definitely going to be active on the player market over the off season. It will be very interesting to see who we get. I personally think our recruitment under Siebold has been a very good balance of seeking out players who add quality (e.g Brooks) and players who allow us to keep the cap in check but have plenty to offer (Talau, Lodge).

There have been a couple of disappointments though, like Paulo. I don't put Woods in that category because he was only ever meant to be a bargain basement top 30 filler.

 

[Dee Why Eagle]

I think we are definitely going to be active on the player market over the off season. It will be very interesting to see who we get. I personally think our recruitment under Siebold has been a very good balance of seeking out players who add quality (e.g Brooks) and players who allow us to keep the cap in check but have plenty to offer (Talau, Lodge).

There have been a couple of disappointments though, like Paulo. I don't put Woods in that category because he was only ever meant to be a bargain basement top 30 filler.

and such a long contract for Paulo

 

[Not Paul Kent]

I've been very impressed with Gordan Chan Kum Tong, he's been excellent at Dummy Half with his accurate passing.
Gordan Chan Kum Tong has a superb defensive technique, making very crucial tackles at vital times of a game.
Gordan Chan Kum Tong reads the game like an A-Grade student, enabling him to be in positions to support his Manly team mates.
Gordan Chan Kum Tong is a Team Player.

Of all the other players you mentioned coming off contract I'd like to re-sign all of them.

Most would agree that Trey Mooney has been an outstanding performer this year.
The question is which player would he replace, Bullemor, Waddell, Ray Vaega, Matt Lodge, Josh Aloiai???

I hope this is satire

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

and such a long contract for Paulo

I don't think he's nearly as poor as some make out.
Manly's back 5 is pretty tough to break into. It was only outstanding form early from Talau, and later from Hoppa and Faulalo, that sees Paulo down the pecking order.
Has some talent. If he is no. 8 or 9 or 10 in our squad that is pretty good depth.

 

[Ben]

I don't think he's nearly as poor as some make out.
Manly's back 5 is pretty tough to break into. It was only outstanding form early from Talau, and later from Hoppa and Faulalo, that sees Paulo down the pecking order.
Has some talent. If he is no. 8 or 9 or 10 in our squad that is pretty good depth.

He is very poor hitting the ball up, especially out of our own end which is a major attribute of a winger. Gets picked up and driven back every NRL game

 

[nightster]

But they both can sniff out a try.

That's snort funny