2025 recruitment & retention

[Stewbojevic]

Croker.

I don’t understand why people are calling for Croker to play 13 and comparing him to Cotter. I’ve never seen him even look like taking a solid hitup into contact

 

[Stewbojevic]

This would be us paying about $260k or so right? I would not be paying him a cent more than that. The guy is incredibly toxic. If you say he's at a garbage club, which is true, Talau was fed up at the Tigers too, but he pulled the same stuff at the Raiders when they made the GF... You don't make the GF as an average club. Ricky is certainly an NRL-level coach, which can't be said about Benji, but he still had issues. Big no thanks.

I'd prefer Bullemor in the second row. I wouldn't want an aging Bateman, who is 31, to be the reason we don't extend Bullemor. I wouldn't want him to be blocking a younger candidate like Navale, either. Even a bulked up Burbo I would want playing FG. If we're out of options, I would take him, but the way I see it, we still have options.

Chee-Kam at the very least isn't toxic, and was a hard-worker at South's this year.

Bullemor played second row under Des and it was a failure. He’s a middle.

Also, do you know who Canberra’s best player was and the primary reason they even made the grand final and haven’t looked like it since? Bateman

 

[Nordburg]

Bullemor played second row under Des and it was a failure. He’s a middle.

Also, do you know who Canberra’s best player was and the primary reason they even made the grand final and haven’t looked like it since? Bateman

Manly wouldn’t be getting the Isaac Moses managed John Bateman of 2019

 

[Dion Johnson]

I don’t understand why people are calling for Croker to play 13 and comparing him to Cotter. I’ve never seen him even look like taking a solid hitup into contact

Yes 212 running meters in 2024 from 16 appearances with an average of 13 run meters per game pretty much tells the story on his running game.

His 2024 attacking stats, two tries and one line break assist and one try assist from 16 games.

He averaged 33 tackles per game with 91% tackle efficiency.

 

[Bearfax]

Bullemor played second row under Des and it was a failure. He’s a middle.

Also, do you know who Canberra’s best player was and the primary reason they even made the grand final and haven’t looked like it since? Bateman

Actually I'd have Bullemor at lock. Good defense, agile and fast

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Bullemore reminds me a bit of Anthony Watmough when he hits the ball at pace. He is improving as a player and I reckon he could be a good backrower.

 

[manly al]

Get this for left field Al....imagine iif Koula could turn into a defensive weapon and have him at lock, with Oka and Bateman edges....suddenly a fast team all round !!

This way we have the back 5 as -

Well I would like to see this given a go, though I don't think Gaz was terrible at centre, he does have a few defensive issues and personally, I would have Hoppa straight in centre, as he oozes classe and is a genuine Star of the future and Tom Talau was arguably near best back and played himself into the top 17...forget Hoppa got bustled by Roosters - that issue was a flow from their forwards owning us that final, the test vs Australia though at 1, he showed he is ready imo.

1 - Tom T
2 - Saab
3 - Hoppa - centre or wing
4 - Talau - centre or wing
5 - Gaz - centre or wing

I honestly see Koula as a great impact, like when Walker came on adding energy and could play short stints in the middle in the modern game, stocky build and can power into traffic....apart from that amazing try vs Dogs and a damn great try saving tackle that deserved more recognition same game, I don't feel Koula has lived up to expectations in 2024 and is not a lock at centre based on form...I know he has Massive ability and speed and many will feel differently, but that's just how I seen it play out last season.

Always good to put different options out there when definitely in Manly "s case, a few positions can ideally be strengthened within cap parameters .
Quite a few examples of outside backs in particular over time , making successful switches to a 13 role but does seem to still depend on certain individual playing traits .
Just get the notion in Koula 's case that he would offer much more value still primarily as a centre , then fullback after Turbo and Lehi.
Just vaguely recall former centre greats like Bob Fulton and Steve Rogers having stints as locks , different eras , still doing O K just based on ability but losing a bit of effectiveness with the more physical demands there and then both reverting back to backline positions .
Probably would expect the same in Koula 's instance
At this stage also think that Lehi not quite suited to a centre role , really good initial leg drive and acceleration and in time , no doubt could go all right there but for now , wing and for sure at the back when needed .
Just briefly saw some highlights with Navale the other day and looked quite enthusiastic and eager but would tend to think , a middle and unlikely edge .
Might just have to be content with Burbo with some continued improvement still in the offering if the Bateman move does not eventuate .
Bully seems to have a bit of a timing issue with attack and defence on an edge but very hopefully can be kept long term to guarantee some serious leg speed , drive and finishing ability as a middle .
As for the best 13 fit with available or maybe soon whatever other options , really an open question in the present reality .

 

[Phobia]

Bullemor played second row under Des and it was a failure. He’s a middle.

Much like how Bullemor is not the same player he was under Des, Bateman is not the same player he was at the Raiders. Importantly, physically, the only way Bateman can go at his age, is down.

The last time Bullemor played second row, vs the Titans this year, he had an excellent game. Under Seibold he's a much better player, no matter where he played. If there's any criticism of Bullemor on the edge, it's not his defence. He never had a terrible game there, he was just unable to be put into the game effectively next to Schuster/Foran. Next to Brooks, with his short passing game, that would benefit from the speed and power of Bullemor, I think he'd be a lot better.

 

[Heckenberg]

Yes 212 running meters in 2024 from 16 appearances with an average of 13 run meters per game pretty much tells the story on his running game.

His 2024 attacking stats, two tries and one line break assist and one try assist from 16 games.

He averaged 33 tackles per game with 91% tackle efficiency.

I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say it’s really hard for us to compete with both Jake and croker in the middle. They are both fantastic defenders but having two players who stifle the attack is just not okay

 

[The Who]

By my reckoning we have filled 28 of the places in our top 30 for 2025 and, unless we gain a couple of unexpectedly good players, we'll again be competing for positions 5th to 8th next season.
Our backs are excellent; we have good back-up and don't need any more. We just need to return Sandwich to the wing and fit TTII into our top 17, which could be as a utility bench player, even potentially as a part-time lock.
Our forwards are where we need strengthening; in particular our front row. We have Tent and Jurbo (who must play up front from now on). But our back-ups are cause for concern. I'm not a fan of Al but worryingly he is our third best prop. Sippers is a fringe first grader. Then who? Mafoa, James? Bully can fill in but is more suited to second row.
For us to improve on this season we need Burbo, Bully, Navale to have break-out seasons; Simpkins or Gordon to secure the hooking spot; Tevaga, Arthur or TTII to share the locking load with Brown.
But most of all, we need at least one more quality front rower.

 

[Eagle 1]

By my reckoning we have filled 28 of the places in our top 30 for 2025 and, unless we gain a couple of unexpectedly good players, we'll again be competing for positions 5th to 8th next season.
Our backs are excellent; we have good back-up and don't need any more. We just need to return Sandwich to the wing and fit TTII into our top 17, which could be as a utility bench player, even potentially as a part-time lock.
Our forwards are where we need strengthening; in particular our front row. We have Tent and Jurbo (who must play up front from now on). But our back-ups are cause for concern. I'm not a fan of Al but worryingly he is our third best prop. Sippers is a fringe first grader. Then who? Mafoa, James? Bully can fill in but is more suited to second row.
For us to improve on this season we need Burbo, Bully, Navale to have break-out seasons; Simpkins or Gordon to secure the hooking spot; Tevaga, Arthur or TTII to share the locking load with Brown.
But most of all, we need at least one more quality front rower.

100%, We sure do need a quality take no prisoners front rower. Unfortunately Paseka isn't that tear down the walls, follow me type of player we all hoped he would be, he needs a front row partner to show him the way. Lodge proved he was this player for us, barring the very disappointing Chooks game. We can only hope that Ailoi and Sipley are over their injury concerns and both have great seasons ahead. But, won't be holding my breath tho.

 

[jbb/james]

Bateman
Canberra form good
Tiger form bad
Got older

But
Hasn't he Been playing in the SL. Anyone got any recent form, non tiger related

Probably a decent indicator if it was attitude in tigertown or he peaked ages ago

 

[LeonardCohen]

I don’t understand why people are calling for Croker to play 13 and comparing him to Cotter. I’ve never seen him even look like taking a solid hitup into contact

Totally agree. He lacks the drive to be a force in the middle. Running from dummy half when the markers are asleep is much easier than running into a brick wall of middles. I haven’t seen him be effective out of dummy half as a runner so I see know discernible reason why he’d suddenly be effective in a more demanding context.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I don’t understand why people are calling for Croker to play 13 and comparing him to Cotter. I’ve never seen him even look like taking a solid hitup into contact

I’ve said “ maybe Croker could fit at 13” he has the defence , and ball playing skills, I doubt hitting it up is one of his strong suits

 

[double hoops]

I’ve said “ maybe Croker could fit at 13” he has the defence , and ball playing skills, I doubt hitting it up is one of his strong suits

There's types of locks Hey. I'm with ya. Dylan Walker has played there. Lawman has played there. Coach has said Jake Arthur might play there. If he had too, I'm sure Froggy could.

If that's the style of lock we want for every game is another topic.

But there is definately some teams and certain times late in a game when it may actually suit.

 

[mickqld]

Another option if DCE retires next year. Garrick could have a word with him
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I'd kill to have this guy at #9 for us.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Remember everyone , that the Sea Eagles football , promotional employees are all in annual leave at present , obviously the membership guys are there SO if you are wondering why no announcements that’ll be the reason.

November they should be back and if we are securing any other players of note they’ll be announced next month.

I’m confident there’s more coming ( as we certainly have had a lot leave ).

 

[double hoops]

Remember everyone , that the Sea Eagles football , promotional employees are all in annual leave at present , obviously the membership guys are there SO if you are wondering why no announcements that’ll be the reason.

November they should be back and if we are securing any other players of note they’ll be announced next month.

I’m confident there’s more coming ( as we certainly have had a lot leave ).

Marky Mark is this kind of like a development and this year its officially called #NextMonth?😋

 

[Rocky]

My Tigers mate says Bateman is a cancer and he would drive him to Brookvale.

but if the price was 350k a season i would take the punt hoping DCE and tom and Jake keep him in line.

We need an edge backrower, and for the price i think he is worth a punt.

 

[BOZO]

My Tigers mate says Bateman is a cancer and he would drive him to Brookvale.

Tell your Tigers mate that his Wooden spoon specialists Club the Tigers are riddled with cancer
And every player that goes there seems to catch their contagious cancerous Tiger Tumours

Bateman will be cured from cancer once he moves to another club