2025 recruitment & retention

[KNUCKLES]

None of it matters if we win our next 3 games mate...

IMO you need consistency in your squad and we have that now... this spine can take us forward over the next few seasons and we have some really promising young talent on the books...

Half this site will pile on to Froggy not being the solution but his tackling is elite and his passing has been a lot better this season... a full season with a fit Turbo and we are potentiallu coming into the finals needing to win 2 games to make the GF...

the riff HAVE had turnover but what are the big name signings? They have promoted from within around an elite spine (notably with a 9 that is not an amazing attacking player but tackles his butt off and delivers crisp passes)... the drizzle have also maintained an elite spine over many seasons with the Tigpies prop (for next season) being their only "big" signing - they have also been held back by injuries though...

I think we are going along alriggt and positioned pretty well for growth right now... just need another hard-head prop that can play high-intensity football and NOT make errors under pressure... and progreesion by Burbo would REALLY help too...

Unfortunately mate as much as I would like to see it happen, I can't see anyone beating Melbourne or Penrith this year. Two horse race in my opinion. Everyone else is just making up the numbers. And talking of consistency, I think we are quite the opposite. We are an inconsistent side compared to those that are really in the hunt. Some of the footy we played at times this year was really poor against teams we should of wiped the floor with. Consistency assures that doesn't happen to those extents. Both the Storm and penrith rosters have changed quite dramatically over the past 3 or 4 years. Emergence of Fa'alago, Warbrick, Blore, Katoa, Wishart, and signings of Coates, now Stefano etc. They are constantly evolving. We remain pretty stagnant in that regard other than maybe last window. But anyways, up the sea eagles. Big night tonight! Let's knock them chooks out at least. Would be very happy with that!

 

[KNUCKLES]

I doubt Jake or DCE play Origin next year.

This improves us straight away.

why do u think Jake won't play origin next year??

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Our depth has increased significantly this year but we need a fast mobile 13 and another prop.

 

[Eagle 1]

Our depth has increased significantly this year but we need a fast mobile 13 and another prop.

You mean if Lodge goes, we'll need another prop.

 

[mave]

why do u think Jake won't play origin next year??

I reckon Madge only picked him as a "culture " selection, and only then cause Cam Murray was injured prior to game 1.

Worked out very well for Madge and the Blues.

I'm not convinced he will need to be picked next year for the "culture ".
Yeo, Murray, Martin etc will all be there again, and have soaked it all up this year.

Yeo showed that he had what it took to be on field captain for basically 3 by 60 minute games anyway this year.

 

[frank stokes]

I know and thats the part that p1sses me off. Because you look at all the successful teams and they have all that, but still seem to be able to buy and buy well. We blame the cap and buy Aaron Woods and Dean Matterson and resigned Schuster. The rich get richer. And to be honest Saab, Koula, Garrick and Aloiai aren't in the top tier of superstars.

Agree there has been some poor recruitment but do not agree that our backline is not up to it...

Lets leave rhe sombrero club out of it and look at the recruitment of the top teams over the last 5 seasons...

Storm
2020 - Ryley Jacks, Brenko Lee
2021 - George Jennings, Reimus Smith
2022 - Xavier Coates, Nick Meaney, Wi Warbrick, Josh King, Jaeden Nikorima
2023 - Tariq Sims, Joe Chan, Elise Katoa, Aaron Pene
2024 - Shaun Blore

Riff
2020 - Koroisau, Capewell, Zane Tetavano
2021 - Robert Jennings, Matt Eisenhuth, Paul Momirovski, Jaemon Salmon, Scott Sorenson
2022 - Sean O'Sullivan, Chris Smith, Christian Chrighton
2023 - Luke Garner, Tyrone Peachey, Jack Cogger, Zac Hosking
2024 - Dane Laurie, Brad Schneider, Paul Alamoti

So the Riff had "big" recruitments in 2020 (both gone within 2 years) and Drizzle had theirs in 2022... outside of that they have recruited smartly rather than going for big name, high value players... blokes like Alamoti, Warbrick, Meaney, Blore, Sorenson, Garner are a big part of what they do but would have cost next to nothing...

Over that same time we recruited blokes like Aloiai, Tualagi, Condon, Bullemore, Brooks, Foran etc...

So IMO it is not the salary cap that is not working (again, setting aside the sombrero club) as much as Manly's recruitment team (which, thanks to Mestrov, has had a wide-ass broom run through it) has failed miserably...

 

[KNUCKLES]

I reckon Madge only picked him as a "culture " selection, and only then cause Cam Murray was injured prior to game 1.

Worked out very well for Madge and the Blues.

I'm not convinced he will need to be picked next year for the "culture ".
Yeo, Murray, Martin etc will all be there again, and have soaked it all up this year.

Yeo showed that he had what it took to be on field captain for basically 3 by 60 minute games anyway this year.

So all in all, not trying to be negative. Just trying to look at it at a broader perspective. Does a 950k a year lock that can't or won't be selected for origin for his talent, good value? Or more it importantly does it actually improve our team if he is not playing origin?

 

[Smokin Joe]

I know and thats the part that p1sses me off. Because you look at all the successful teams and they have all that, but still seem to be able to buy and buy well. We blame the cap and buy Aaron Woods and Dean Matterson and resigned Schuster. The rich get richer. And to be honest Saab, Koula, Garrick and Aloiai aren't in the top tier of superstars.

Maybe,but we have Tom,Brooks,DCE,Paseka,Ola and Jake(maybe) who are,you can't have and pay for top tier players in every position.
This isn't the 80's-90's,the cap just won't allow it.
For me Saab,Koula,Talau,Garrick,Lehi,Aloiai,Bullemor,Sipley,Croker,Lawton,BenT are in that level just below the top level,I won't get into whether they are producing their value because that is just opinion and up to each individual(and no one is exactly sure on how much they each earn.)

 

[Ben]

Burbo looked good in the trials and early in the season but didn’t hit the heights I expected. He needs to take it to another level. No time like the present.

Really needs to works on his agility, getting to his feet square at maker to own the ruck area and discipline conceding silly penalties.

If he can get the above in order we have a great player in our ranks and can make a name for himself. Just needs to tweak a few things

 

[mave]

So all in all, not trying to be negative. Just trying to look at it at a broader perspective. Does a 950k a year lock that can't or won't be selected for origin for his talent, good value? Or more it importantly does it actually improve our team if he is not playing origin?

No, not particularly good value.

Yes it improves the team, he has increased availability for Manly for starters.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Deplorable Atkins

 

[KNUCKLES]

No, not particularly good value.

Yes it improves the team, he has increased availability for Manly for starters.

Jake needs to retire mate

 

[Kalvin]

I believe if Garrick wishes to continue to pursue centre as his preferred position then he should do it at another club next year!

We need to find a permanent position for lehi next year & talau has been amazing. Lehi to eventually take the #1 in time:

1. Turbo
2. Lehi
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Saab

 

[KNUCKLES]

I believe if Garrick wishes to continue to pursue centre as his preferred position then he should do it at another club next year!

We need to find a permanent position for lehi next year & talau has been amazing. Lehi to eventually take the #1 in time:

1. Turbo
2. Lehi
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Saab

We could do with some space in the cap also

 

[HK_Eagle]

I know things are emotional right after that loss… but, I think we really need to address the Turbo issue if we have any genuine desire to control our destiny towards a premiership. We have held on and held on in hope against the odds for many many years… and every year Turbo inevitably breaks down and hurts us and our ambitions. I know there is probably nobody better than a healthy confident Turbo, but you just can’t build anything off that sort of unreliability.

I don’t know what the practical solution, or even options are, but I would be placing my preference in developing Lehi (or even, Koula) as our FB moving forward. This I would be starting from next season if we could offload Turbo without costing us too much. I think we need to start being realistic and honestly, probably should have moved sooner (though we all understand the teasing allure of a healthy Turbo’s capabilities).

Perhaps somebody may be interested in taking the brothers off our hands as a package. It emotionally hurts but rationally, needs to be asked.

 

[double hoops]

I know things are emotional right after that loss… but, I think we really need to address the Turbo issue if we have any genuine desire to control our destiny towards a premiership. We have held on and held on in hope against the odds for many many years… and every year Turbo inevitably breaks down and hurts us and our ambitions. I know there is probably nobody better than a healthy confident Turbo, but you just can’t build anything off that sort of unreliability.

I don’t know what the practical solution, or even options are, but I would be placing my preference in developing Lehi (or even, Koula) as our FB moving forward. This I would be starting from next season if we could offload Turbo without costing us too much. I think we need to start being realistic and honestly, probably should have moved sooner (though we all understand the teasing allure of a healthy Turbo’s capabilities).

Perhaps somebody may be interested in taking the brothers off our hands as a package. It emotionally hurts but rationally, needs to be asked.

I wouldn't hesitate to play Lehi at fullback next year.

But I am sure Tommy has a place in the 17. Dam he can have our no 7 Jersey if it means he stays on the park more often.

 

[HK_Eagle]

I wouldn't hesitate to play Lehi at fullback next year.

But I am sure Tommy has a place in the 17. Dam he can have our no 7 Jersey if it means he stays on the park more often.

Yes, I am certainly open to keeping Turbo and developing him in a less critical (non-spine) position, so that his inevitable injury breakdown has less negative impact on the team. But, that will also depend on his salary to do that.

 

[double hoops]

Yes, I am certainly open to keeping Turbo and developing him in a less critical (non-spine) position, so that his inevitable injury breakdown has less negative impact on the team. But, that will also depend on his salary to do that.

Club seem to be doing some good things in the corporate space in recent years. Club can't change what Turbo takes home and nor can Turbo as he found out recently. But 3rd party deals can make even Turbos cap space irrelevant.

 

[HK_Eagle]

Club seem to be doing some good things in the corporate space in recent years. Club can't change what Turbo takes home and nor can Turbo as he found out recently. But 3rd party deals can make even Turbos cap space irrelevant.

We cannot afford to rely on Turbo in a critical spine position, regardless of how much or how little we have to pay. Even if he was free, it doesn’t solve the real issue of him being unreliable and disrupting spine cohesion. That is the critical aspect IMO

 

[JakeyB789]

Hooker is our biggest issue. Not sure if Simpkin is the guy but I’m sure as hell he’s better than Croker