2025

[LeonardCohen]

Jazz Tevaga he doesn’t have the leg speed to play on an edge, his ball handling is poor, there is a reason why the Warriors didn’t resign Tevaga.

There are options out there and since the club let Schuster go they haven’t been able to land an edge, could be dollars and if it is they may need to shop a player or two to balance the squad.

I am unsure why he keeps being mentioned as a potential option on the edge. I don't think he has ever played a single game there in his entire career. He is a backup hooker or Dylan Walker type small-middle. He'll play the Max Plath, Chris Randall, Bailey Haywood, Kurt Mann role of bringing energy and mobility to the middle; at least that's what he'll try and do.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Unpopular opinion, Garrick was 100% concussed last night, and prior to that I thought he was playing well for the backend of the season. He is a centre in my eyes. DCE causes half of his problems.

If I had to name a lineup for next year, I'd name this, with a few changing variables.

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Talau / Hopoate if he bulks up
6. Brooks
7. DCE
8. Paseka
9. Croker - on his last chances in my eyes
10. Aloiai, but at 100% and not busted like he's been lately. Alternatively RCG, if we can get him. Bye Lodge.
11. Olakau'atu
12. Ben - if he bulks up. He needs speed or power. He hasn't got either at the moment. If he can't improve, we need to sign someone.
13. Jake - limited minutes. Should be playing 60 or less.

The bench is where I probably differ from most:
14. Simpkin - non-negotiable
15. Bullemor
16. Navale
17. Brown / Waddell, Brown ended the season poorly.

Sipley is not mobile enough. Aloiai not at 100% is not mobile enough. I'm pretty sure Tevaga is not mobile enough.

The team needs to be changed for the opposition. Against smaller packs, larger middles. Against bigger packs, more mobile middles, to help our defence. We smashed the Dragons with a smaller pack. We dominated the Dogs with larger middles, but not many packs are like the Dogs.

I'd take scrambling defence over run metres any day. With Simpkin, the forwards improve off his service. Simpkin coming on with the rest of that bench would be an injection that would make up for the loss of Paseka.

Later in the season I'd love to see Laiafi get an opportunity.

P.S. I think Bullemor might bulk up more in the off-season. Would help his impact.

Garrick has had a season and for me his defensive reads are not good enough, against lesser opponents he has shown some good attacking play however this doesn’t mask the defensive issues, needs to play wing as he was a good left winger was even in conversations as an origin backup.

 

[JakeyB789]

For what it’s worth I reckon Burbo had a pretty good finish to the year in those last 3 games. Being forced into the centres after the first tackle of the game wouldn’t have been easy especially given how that went last time we played the Roosters, but he held his own and it was a nice try he scored late.

He was very ordinary earlier in the year before he lost his place to Lawton but well done to him for rebounding after being dropped altogether for the first Dogs game. Gotta remember he’s still only 23 and missed out on a couple of crucial development years due to COVID so hopefully there is more progression from him to come, I do still hope we are looking for a left edge back rower though.

 

[Dion Johnson]

I am unsure why he keeps being mentioned as a potential option on the edge. I don't think he has ever played a single game there in his entire career. He is a backup hooker or Dylan Walker type small-middle. He'll play the Max Plath, Chris Randall, Bailey Haywood, Kurt Mann role of bringing energy and mobility to the middle; at least that's what he'll try and do.

Those two younger players in Plath and Haywood both ex halves have played well in that role, hopefully our scouts can get us an edge or a younger ball playing middle of similar style and potential.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Those two younger players in Plath and Haywood both ex halves have played well in that role, hopefully our scouts can get us an edge or a younger ball playing middle of similar style and potential.

Jake Arthur has missed most of the year but previously was mentioned as potentially taking on more of a utility role.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Jake Arthur has missed most of the year but previously was mentioned as potentially taking on more of a utility role.

That was the statement when they signed Arthur, they thought he had the body size to develop into that role, he never got a chance though.

Some rumours he is off to the Knights to play under O’Brien with his brother.

 

[madmax]

I’m not seeing a reason for the Aloiai bashing. This year has been one of our most consistent forwards. Is not slow & has not given away stupid penalties like last year. Has kept his mouth shut & I think he & Ola have been very good. As much as he’s a rock….Jake offers very little in offence albeit defense is good. He’s slow full stop. We need a back rower to compliment Olakau’atu & a mobile ball playing lock. Simpkin should start at hooker & play the full 80. Or backs are fine!!!
Trbo
Saab
Koula
Talau
Garrick
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Aloiai
Olakau’atu
TBA!!!
TBA!!!
Res: Lehi, Jrbo, Bullemore, Brown
Sipley needs to be injury free & get back to his best. Unsure about Lodge for now. Jazz, Waddell, Caleb as depth.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Interestingly Fatima Kdouh a journo in the Daily Tele must read our forum. She says that croker must make way for simpkin, talau to centre moving garrick back to wing and we need another edge backrower. Onya Fatima 👏🏻

 

[Rocky]

I’m not seeing a reason for the Aloiai bashing. This year has been one of our most consistent forwards. Is not slow & has not given away stupid penalties like last year. Has kept his mouth shut & I think he & Ola have been very good. As much as he’s a rock….Jake offers very little in offence albeit defense is good. He’s slow full stop. We need a back rower to compliment Olakau’atu & a mobile ball playing lock. Simpkin should start at hooker & play the full 80. Or backs are fine!!!
Trbo
Saab
Koula
Talau
Garrick
Brooks
DCE
Paseka
Simpkin
Aloiai
Olakau’atu
TBA!!!
TBA!!!
Res: Lehi, Jrbo, Bullemore, Brown
Sipley needs to be injury free & get back to his best. Unsure about Lodge for now. Jazz, Waddell, Caleb as depth.

I think it's the pay packet Max. Aloiai has definitely regressed (likely due to knee injury) and is still paid like a starting prop - 600k?
Someone like Sipley doesn't get as much stick because he's probably on half the money.

 

[G-land Express]

For 2025 I want to see a backup for DCE get gametime during SOO otherwise another top quality 1/2 firmly in sights. Also a major focus on gang tackling ( see dogs 2024) and kick chase pressure. I'd like to see Choc or BK become forwards coach.

 

[Dion Johnson]

SEIBOLD’S SELECTION HEADACHES

Manly coach Anthony Seibold is facing some crucial selection calls over the summer.

Seibold’s experiment of shifting Reuben Garrick from left wing into right centre in 2024 failed spectacularly at the worst possible time for the Sea Eagles.

Garrick was terrorised by the Roosters’ left edge and the 27-year-old missed his defensive assignment on Saturday night.

Garrick agreed to extend long term with an eye to make a shift to fullback or centre to be closer to the action. But given his defensive deficiencies, Seibold will have to reconsider a shift back onto the wing. The move would open up the opportunity for Tommy Talau to partner Tolu Koula in the centres next season.

The coach also has decisions to make in the backrow. Haumole Olakau’atu is a one man wrecking ball on the right edge but Seibold needs a solution on the left side of the field. Ethan Bullemor deserves a spot in the starting forward pack.

Lachlan Croker has done a commendable job at hooker but the Sea Eagles need more creativity out of dummy-half and better distribution. Too many passes from dummy half hit the deck against the Roosters. Jake Simpkin should challenge Croker for the starting role over the summer.

Joe Walsh with Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: Manly Sea Eagles

While veteran Daly Cherry-Evans could play beyond 2025, Seibold needs a succession plan beyond the 35-year-old.

That plan will be put in motion in the pre-season after the club secured rising playmaker Joey Walsh, who will join the top-30 in 2025 on a three-year deal.

Walsh is a product of Brookvale’s St Augustine’s College but has been in the Roosters and NSW Waratahs systems.

Walsh is considered one of the best playmaking prospects in either code, and captained the under-18s Australian rugby side last year.

He was also named alongside the likes of Blaize Talagi, Jesse McLean and Chevy Stewart in the NSW Blues junior squad in 2022.

The club initially had designs for Jamie Humphreys to step-in as a long term replacement in the halves but the 22-year-old only had limited opportunities and is South Sydney bound in 2025.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Uncanny.

Is she an X-woman?

 

[Dion Johnson]

Uncanny.

Is she an X-woman?

News Corp article.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

For 2025 I want to see a backup for DCE get gametime during SOO otherwise another top quality 1/2 firmly in sights. Also a major focus on gang tackling ( see dogs 2024) and kick chase pressure. I'd like to see Choc or BK become forwards coach.

Don't they have Joey Walsh for that? Is he ready next year for 1st grade?

I hope his life's been good so far....

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Don't they have Joey Walsh for that? Is he ready next year for 1st grade?

I hope his life's been good so far....

I understand we’re also looking at a young centre from the Hills District, who currently attends a Lutheran school, Timothy Schmitt.

Plus an edge forward coming through the Narraweena club, Glenn Frey, who is regarded as a hot young talent.

Not forgetting another likely prospect, this time from North Curl Curl. Like Walsh, he also plays in the halves. His name is Donald Henley.

Henley and Frey have already struck up a bit of a partnership in the junior rep teams.

 

[Rosko]

Not much hope of improvement in 2025 coming through, certainly no major recruitment.
Anyhow, there it is.

 

[Seagles68]

I understand we’re also looking at a young centre from the Hills District, who currently attends a Lutheran school, Timothy Schmitt.

Plus an edge forward coming through the Narraweena club, Glenn Frey, who is regarded as a hot young talent.

Not forgetting another likely prospect, this time from North Curl Curl. Like Walsh, he also plays in the halves. His name is Donald Henley.

Henley and Frey have already struck up a bit of a partnership in the junior rep teams.

So Schmitt will be the new kid in town?

 

[nightster]

I understand we’re also looking at a young centre from the Hills District, who currently attends a Lutheran school, Timothy Schmitt.

Plus an edge forward coming through the Narraweena club, Glenn Frey, who is regarded as a hot young talent.

Not forgetting another likely prospect, this time from North Curl Curl. Like Walsh, he also plays in the halves. His name is Donald Henley.

Henley and Frey have already struck up a bit of a partnership in the junior rep teams.

New kids in town D'oh beaten to it

 

[manly al]

Looks like on present indications , Jake should be making a permanent move to a prop role and starting .
Just not sold on Lodge offering any tangible benefit particularly against the higher ranked sides , maybe Tevaga can offer something there [ why else would he have been signed ] and then Bully in a game day 17 and possibly Sipley
Could be worth giving Alioai another crack at 13 , maybe Navale can have a thorough off season preparation developing into a 13 , not too sure about Tevaga there .
Arthur would have to beef up a bit and more robust for a 13 role .Brown in a sub role there and hopefully still have something in the tank to do something worthwhile
Burbo getting closer for a fully fledged edge gig ,not much references to Chee Kam recently , maybe will not be happening but would think some priority to get a replacement for Lawton
Garrick maybe not the most complete all round performance at centre but still some very useful efforts .
Guess that on season 's reflection however , Talau along with Koula the best fit there and Rueben back to the wing .
Then the fairly compelling case to still have Lehi in the game day 17 .
Mabe there could still be some surprise signings in the off season but irrespective , ain 't going to win a comp with the current team make up and team structure

 

[Chunkytuna]

Definitely shuffling to be done and i agree with a lot of the suggestions on here re garrick, croker etc. But I think one big positive is that we are basically keeping a VERY similar roster for next year. That to me, is a big benefit. Having the same faces and the team unity and harmony is really important for us, and I think we can build on this season to go one or two steps further next season.