2025 recruitment & retention

[Dion Johnson]

I know I've said this before but Blake Mozer.

Talk of a Broncos cap squeeze and with Mozer off contract at the end of 25 apparently clubs are sniffing.

This is the one for me, if we have any space get invloved in talks, even if we had to move on Gordie or Jake to make it happen.

Sign him now for 26 and then see what we can do for 25.

This kid is the goods IMO

No doubt he is a talent.

Listening to Seibold on Zaidas the club have been watching him for some time and if he develops the way they think he will then he could be a 2026 / 2027 number nine.

I think Simpkin will prove that he can be a consistent number nine in 2025.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I think Simpkin will prove that he can be a consistent number nine in 2025.

Let's face it we may need him to succeed this year, because Lachie's one head knock away from another extended period on the sideline.
Simpkin now has 47 NRL games under his belt, and only turned 23 a month ago. From a young age he was identified as a player of potential - played Qld u'16s and Qld u'18s, also made PMs 13 in 2022. Here's hoping.

 

[manly al]

Going to have to be some delicate balancing now that Lawton has left and trying to cover or accommodate the 9 role .
Not sure if Simpkin can go the full 80 , Froggy on last season 's indications highly unlikely .
Some suggestions that Tevaga can manage to some extent there .
No one else presently in the main squad would seem to be able to assume a 9 role .
Need at least two middles - props on the bench unless Jake plays or starts off at 13 again
. Then the appeal or strong case of having either Lehi or Talau on the bench if they are not included in the run on side

 

[Dion Johnson]

Let's face it we may need him to succeed this year, because Lachie's one head knock away from another extended period on the sideline.
Simpkin now has 47 NRL games under his belt, and only turned 23 a month ago. From a young age he was identified as a player of potential - played Qld u'16s and Qld u'18s, also made PMs 13 in 2022. Here's hoping.

Spot on, it’s a dilemma with Froggy and that knock he got, fingers crossed for him.

Simpkin made his name in the juniors as a running nine, they changed his game at the Tigers in being more selective on when to run.

Hoping he gets the license to have a run and suck in defenders to give DCE and Brooks more time with the ball, his passing game is very good.

 

[manly al]

Mentioned previously that Simpkin probably just needs a slightly harder edge to his defence .
Had that quite impressive run , including doing real well in that tenacious Brookie win over the Dragons but then shown up a bit and just not as effective in that 2 nd round night loss to the Roosters .
Admittedly only one game and Manly understrength that night and a few other players doing it a bit tough as well but again just not adapting or having a couple of issues with that particular harder edge type contest .
Anyway definitely can provide or is capable of a quite polished role as a 9 and hopefully can step up a bit in defensively and go real well there in 25

 

[Eagle 1]

I liked the look of Josiah Pahulu in his debut season with the Titans, trying for an immediate release due to the Titans not picking him in their last game of the season where he stood to make an extra 40K for 20 first grade appearances.

I wonder if there is any room to try and snag a good young prospect like him before he signs with the Bulldogs.

Yep, this smacks of blatant pocketing of Pahulu's 40k. Titans figuring it's our last game, can't make the 8, lets keep his cash. Sort of thing you don't forget, dont blame him for wanting an immediate release.

 

[Eagle 1]

I liked the look of Josiah Pahulu in his debut season with the Titans, trying for an immediate release due to the Titans not picking him in their last game of the season where he stood to make an extra 40K for 20 first grade appearances.

I wonder if there is any room to try and snag a good young prospect like him before he signs with the Bulldogs.

Just reading into Pahulu's case, it was 50k !!.

 

[double hoops]

I wonder if the Condon back flip, is connected with the Waddell silence?

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I wonder if the Condon back flip, is connected with the Waddell silence?

Can’t see how Condon potentially backing out of his ESL deal can affect Manly. Pretty sure Leigh announced Condon signing in early October, which couldn’t happen unless his Manly deal was already ended by mutual consent.

 

[Bearfax]

Ian Martin will always be a favourite of mine.A no nonsense, No frills 5/8 that never got the accolades he deserved but he just went about his job. He was a major cog in our successful teams back then

Straight backed, tough as teak, great defender, solid in attack and pushed Fulton into the centres. Yes a top player

 

[jbb/james]

Can’t see how Condon potentially backing out of his ESL deal can affect Manly. Pretty sure Leigh announced Condon signing in early October, which couldn’t happen unless his Manly deal was already ended by mutual consent.

Maybe he didnt pass a medical, maybe customs issues,

I presume we will still offload him but it will cost us more cap

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Maybe he didnt pass a medical, maybe customs issues,

I presume we will still offload him but it will cost us more cap

You may be right but I doubt it, because Leigh announced that he had signed. So if there's something wrong, whether from Leigh or Ben's point of view, that's between them.
I don't see how he could sign with another club while still under contract to Manly, that's why I assume his Manly deal had to end first. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You may be right but I doubt it, because Leigh announced that he had signed. So if there's something wrong, whether from Leigh or Ben's point of view, that's between them.
I don't see how he could sign with another club while still under contract to Manly, that's why I assume his Manly deal had to end first. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

I just hope it’s not a back flip to us , as I see no future for him with us and it would be a wasted spot.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

So , we assume the Bateman deal ( if ever it actually was a deal) is completely off the table???

And , no room to fit anyone else in ??

However , as is usually the case they’ll be keeping a spot to add another player before June 30 if we pick up injuries ??

 

[davohan123]

So , we assume the Bateman deal ( if ever it actually was a deal) is completely off the table???

And , no room to fit anyone else in ??

However , as is usually the case they’ll be keeping a spot to add another player before June 30 if we pick up injuries ??

Yep south’s look like Bateman is heading there way
Yep looks like what we have right now is it for 2025

 

[Disco]

Which is no ideal IMO.

I'd like another edge, we are pretty thread bare there as I see it.

Any injury or two and we'd be shot

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yep south’s look like Bateman is heading there way
Yep looks like what we have right now is it for 2025

Looks like it , a pity really as he would have added a good bit of starch & experience.

And I think we are a little short in that area

 

[The Who]

Looks like it , a pity really as he would have added a good bit of starch & experience.

And I think we are a little short in that area

It is sensible to keep one or two spots open for mid-season recruitments/trades. We benefitted from this strategy last season.

 

[The Who]

Looks like it , a pity really as he would have added a good bit of starch & experience.

And I think we are a little short in that area

It is sensible to keep one or two spots open for mid-season recruitments/trades. We benefitted from this strategy last season.

 

[Ryan]

Which is no ideal IMO.

I'd like another edge, we are pretty thread bare there as I see it.

Any injury or two and we'd be shot

Put a * next to who could play both

Props:
Taniela Paseka

• Josh Aloiai
• Ethan Bullemor

Siosiua Taukeiaho
Toff Sipley
Aitasi James

Backrowers / Locks:
Haumole Olakau'atu
* Nathan Brown
Michael Chee Kam
Jazz Tevaga
* Jake Trbojevic
Ben Trbojevic
Dean Matterson
Jake Arthur (possibly)
Tommy Talau (possibly)

Hooker
Lachlan Croker
Jake Simpkin
Gordon Chan Kum Tong