2026 halves plan

[Shoe1]

I’d be bringing wishart across. Reubs is his brother in law so the connection is there. Can play a utility role too if Walsh steps up.

Yes

 

[Once Was Brissie Kid]

Owen Farrell. Wigan's finest. Time for him swap codes and step up.

Respect for England captain on par with NRL greats, says Seibold
November 10, 2021

England captain Owen Farrell commands the same respect as NRL greats Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Greg Inglis, says Anthony Seibold.

Little more than two weeks into his role as a defence coach under Eddie Jones with England, Seibold has likened five-eighth Farrell to the best leaders in the NRL, including his former captain at South Sydney, Inglis.

Respect for England captain on par with NRL greats, says Seibold

The former Broncos coach is settling into a new life and code in England, but the spectre of COVID is haunting Eddie Jones’ camp before a clash with the Wallabies.

www.smh.com.au

 

[Sheikheagle]

Chad Townshend for a season……ok i will let myself out 😮

 

[Johnno74]

Now that Garrick is firmly entrenched in the Wishart family, maybe he should be getting into Tyran Wisharts ear

💯👍 Definitely a yes for me been saying it for 12 months , outside of this thought Fogerty would suit

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

From the SMH:

‘He’d just plug in there’: Manly’s plan for Turbo to shift to No.6
By Adrian Proszenko

March 28, 2025 — 3.33pm

Tom Trbojevic will wear the No.6 jersey next year if Manly misses out on the signature of Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty.

The Sea Eagles are pushing ahead with contingency plans after Daly Cherry-Evans formally knocked back a two-year, $1.4 million contract extension. Fogarty is the only external playmaker Manly is considering to replace Cherry-Evans, although the Raiders have first refusal on his services.

Under the terms of his current contract, the Raiders have until round six to take up a $650,000 option for 2026. There’s also a player option in his deal which, if triggered before round 20, allows him to stay put for next season. The parties also have the option of negotiating an extension on different terms, most likely a longer agreement.

Speaking after hosting a Sea Eagles Business Club breakfast for corporates and sponsors on Friday, Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov said Trbojevic could make a Darren Lockyer-style transition from fullback to five-eighth next year.

“Tommy is definitely an option to play six,” Mestrov told this masthead.

“If we can get a halfback to fill the spot for the next two years, then that’s what we’d do. If we don’t, we’re comfortable for Turbo to [train] there in the off-season and take up that No. 6.

Tom Trbojevic could switch into the halves as a replacement for Daly Cherry-Evans.CREDIT: FLAVIO BRANCALEONE

“Without speaking out of school, he said he’d like to play six if the club needs him to play there.

“That’s what Tom’s all about, he’s unselfish. I feel like that’s a viable option, but there’s other halfbacks out there in the market we’re looking at. For the fans moving forward, [know that we have] viable options.”

The Sea Eagles have two promising juniors, Onitoni Large and Joe Walsh, rising through the grades. However, the youngsters are likely to be 12-24 months away from being ready for regular first-grade football.

Lockyer, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Greg Inglis are some of the superstars who have successfully made the transition from fullback into the halves. Should Trbojevic follow suit, exciting youngster Lehi Hopoate will take over the No.1 jersey.

“He would just plug in there,” Mestrov said.

“That would be some backline. I feel we’ve still got that window open for the premiership, I think that maintains that. Obviously Chez is moving on and we wish him all the best. We want to maintain that level and I think we can do that with Turbo at six.

“‘Seibs’ [coach Anthony Seibold] believes that Turbo can be an elite six, he doesn’t say that lightly, and he’s always thought that.

“Fullback is probably the hardest position on the field physically, fitness-wise, they do more kilometres than any other player on the field. So I think that would relieve him of that. It could give him longevity in the game as a player as well.

A positional move could be on the cards for Tom Trbojevic.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

“He’s supremely fit this year, he had a terrific off-season, and I think by playing six we’d see more of him, we’d see more skills that he’s got, and on top of it he’s the organiser.”

Manly officials had an inkling Cherry-Evans could be on the move after he first asked for a release in November, 2023. But after “DCE” opted to move on at the end of the current season, the Sea Eagles have turned their attention to retaining the Trbojevic brothers for the long term. Jake and Tom can field offers from rivals from November 1, but neither has an appetite to leave the northern beaches.

“I’ve spoken to their agent and said we want to start talks,” Mestrov said.

“We’re keen to lock Tom away and start talking about Jake. Both their contracts are up in 2026, so we’re keen to progress chats and obviously want to make them Manly players for life.

“I feel they are what the club’s all about, and I couldn’t think of a better leadership group than Jake and Tom.

“They bleed maroon and white, so I think we’re even enhancing our position of where we’re at.”

Mestrov said Cherry-Evans’ departure won’t derail the club’s bid for a premiership this season.

“Chez is such a professional, he’s the player most likely to block everything out, he’s made a career out of that. At the end of the day, there’s been a lot of press, good, bad, indifferent.

“We’re not really interested in that. This year we want to win a premiership. As far as we’re concerned, and Chez is concerned, it’s done and it’s out of the way.

“We’ve got a match to win on Sunday against the Eels, and we’ve got a premiership to win.”

 

[ManlyTragic]

Onwards and upwards!

 

[Nike]

I've watched him for 20 minutes but I'm sold on Jayden Campbell, dig up Bozo to work his voodoo magic and make it happen.

 

[Sheikheagle]

I've watched him for 20 minutes but I'm sold on Jayden Campbell, dig up Bozo to work his voodoo magic and make it happen.

Love Campbell, like his old man always gives it 100% hopefully he has finally found his home at 7.

 

[The Insomniac]

I've watched him for 20 minutes but I'm sold on Jayden Campbell, dig up Bozo to work his voodoo magic and make it happen.

Crikey! He was 3mtrs offside for that intercept but.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

From the SMH:

‘He’d just plug in there’: Manly’s plan for Turbo to shift to No.6
By Adrian Proszenko

March 28, 2025 — 3.33pm

Tom Trbojevic will wear the No.6 jersey next year if Manly misses out on the signature of Canberra halfback Jamal Fogarty.

The Sea Eagles are pushing ahead with contingency plans after Daly Cherry-Evans formally knocked back a two-year, $1.4 million contract extension. Fogarty is the only external playmaker Manly is considering to replace Cherry-Evans, although the Raiders have first refusal on his services.

Under the terms of his current contract, the Raiders have until round six to take up a $650,000 option for 2026. There’s also a player option in his deal which, if triggered before round 20, allows him to stay put for next season. The parties also have the option of negotiating an extension on different terms, most likely a longer agreement.

Speaking after hosting a Sea Eagles Business Club breakfast for corporates and sponsors on Friday, Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov said Trbojevic could make a Darren Lockyer-style transition from fullback to five-eighth next year.

“Tommy is definitely an option to play six,” Mestrov told this masthead.

“If we can get a halfback to fill the spot for the next two years, then that’s what we’d do. If we don’t, we’re comfortable for Turbo to [train] there in the off-season and take up that No. 6.

View attachment 29679
Tom Trbojevic could switch into the halves as a replacement for Daly Cherry-Evans.CREDIT: FLAVIO BRANCALEONE

“Without speaking out of school, he said he’d like to play six if the club needs him to play there.

“That’s what Tom’s all about, he’s unselfish. I feel like that’s a viable option, but there’s other halfbacks out there in the market we’re looking at. For the fans moving forward, [know that we have] viable options.”

The Sea Eagles have two promising juniors, Onitoni Large and Joe Walsh, rising through the grades. However, the youngsters are likely to be 12-24 months away from being ready for regular first-grade football.

Lockyer, Cameron Munster, Jahrome Hughes and Greg Inglis are some of the superstars who have successfully made the transition from fullback into the halves. Should Trbojevic follow suit, exciting youngster Lehi Hopoate will take over the No.1 jersey.

“He would just plug in there,” Mestrov said.

“That would be some backline. I feel we’ve still got that window open for the premiership, I think that maintains that. Obviously Chez is moving on and we wish him all the best. We want to maintain that level and I think we can do that with Turbo at six.

“‘Seibs’ [coach Anthony Seibold] believes that Turbo can be an elite six, he doesn’t say that lightly, and he’s always thought that.

“Fullback is probably the hardest position on the field physically, fitness-wise, they do more kilometres than any other player on the field. So I think that would relieve him of that. It could give him longevity in the game as a player as well.

View attachment 29680
A positional move could be on the cards for Tom Trbojevic.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES

“He’s supremely fit this year, he had a terrific off-season, and I think by playing six we’d see more of him, we’d see more skills that he’s got, and on top of it he’s the organiser.”

Manly officials had an inkling Cherry-Evans could be on the move after he first asked for a release in November, 2023. But after “DCE” opted to move on at the end of the current season, the Sea Eagles have turned their attention to retaining the Trbojevic brothers for the long term. Jake and Tom can field offers from rivals from November 1, but neither has an appetite to leave the northern beaches.

“I’ve spoken to their agent and said we want to start talks,” Mestrov said.

“We’re keen to lock Tom away and start talking about Jake. Both their contracts are up in 2026, so we’re keen to progress chats and obviously want to make them Manly players for life.

“I feel they are what the club’s all about, and I couldn’t think of a better leadership group than Jake and Tom.

“They bleed maroon and white, so I think we’re even enhancing our position of where we’re at.”

Mestrov said Cherry-Evans’ departure won’t derail the club’s bid for a premiership this season.

“Chez is such a professional, he’s the player most likely to block everything out, he’s made a career out of that. At the end of the day, there’s been a lot of press, good, bad, indifferent.

“We’re not really interested in that. This year we want to win a premiership. As far as we’re concerned, and Chez is concerned, it’s done and it’s out of the way.

“We’ve got a match to win on Sunday against the Eels, and we’ve got a premiership to win.”

So if Manly get a halfback for the next 2 years, they will move Tom to 6?

Where does Brooks play?

 

[castle eagle]

for those comparing a dce offer of $750k/season to getting another half, due to his long service at manly there would have been a fair dispensation on his contract in relation to the cap so his $750k might only be counted as $450k(I am guessing as i am unsure of how big a discount he would get). that discount obviously would not apply to whoever we buy - if we buy someone. so to chase a player with around $750k we would have to possible move someone else on.

 

[Uk eagle]

So if Manly get a halfback for the next 2 years, they will move Tom to 6?

Where does Brooks play?

I think it's if we don't get a halfback then Tom moves to 6 and Brooks at 7. If we do then the replacement is a like for like ( except they want to play for Manly) and Brooks stays at 6

 

[Thewestisbest]

So if Manly get a halfback for the next 2 years, they will move Tom to 6?

Where does Brooks play?

No, it's if they don't get a halfback for two years they will move Tom to six and I assume Brooks to seven.

 

[Thewestisbest]

There were a few backhanded compliments in that article, but Mestrov did a nice job at veiling his criticism.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

Yep, how did I get that so wrong! 🙂

 

[Pete W]

Strongly disagree with the option to recruit a Fogarty or someone similar externally. This is a waste of much needed cap space. Haven't we all seen the lack of balance in our squad? Finally we have an opportunity to rectify this.

If our young halves need another season in nsw cup, then Turbo to 6 would be the way to go - provided 1) Turbo and Garrick swap positions in the defensive line (we don't want Turbo making 30+ tackles a game), 2) a viable contingency replacement has been trained thoroughly all off-season to cover games Turbo is injured (either Arthur, Lehi, Large, Walsh, etc)

I have believed for many many years that despite his skillset and great long kicking, DCE has been a major obstacle to cohesive team play purely in footy terms (this is without considering his questionable leadership, and organisational attributes, nor the amount of cap space his contract sum has taken up).

Great opportunity for Manly

 

[jbb/james]

for those comparing a dce offer of $750k/season to getting another half, due to his long service at manly there would have been a fair dispensation on his contract in relation to the cap so his $750k might only be counted as $450k(I am guessing as i am unsure of how big a discount he would get). that discount obviously would not apply to whoever we buy - if we buy someone. so to chase a player with around $750k we would have to possible move someone else on.

Long serving allowance is 10 years
It can be applied to jakey just as easily
Same result to cap.no opportunity lost

 

[BOZO]

NRL ,COM 2023

Luke Brooks ....
“One of the big reasons why I came was that Seibs [coach Anthony Seibold] spoke to me about taking a step back,” Brooks said as he fronted the media for the first time in Manly colours on Friday.
I copped it a lot over there [at the Tigers] but I’m looking forward to laying low here
“A lot of the pressure is off me and I can just focus on footy. I know I play my best footy when I’m enjoying it.”
End quote.


When DCE steps down at the end of 2025
Our halves have to step up which means the Pressure is on
If Brooks is looking to lay low again he needs to find another club

The Moral of the story ...
Pressure at Manly is a Privilege
It Only Comes to those who earn it

 

[Rocky]

NRL ,COM 2023

Luke Brooks ....
“One of the big reasons why I came was that Seibs [coach Anthony Seibold] spoke to me about taking a step back,” Brooks said as he fronted the media for the first time in Manly colours on Friday.
I copped it a lot over there [at the Tigers] but I’m looking forward to laying low here
“A lot of the pressure is off me and I can just focus on footy. I know I play my best footy when I’m enjoying it.”
End quote.


When DCE steps down at the end of 2025
Our halves have to step up which means the Pressure is on
If Brooks is looking to lay low again he needs to find another club

The Moral of the story ...
Pressure at Manly is a Privilege
It Only Comes to those who earn it
View attachment 29686

I see it's Brooks that is your punching bag this week.

how do i know?

because you have posted this about 30 times now

 

[47MVEagle]

Manly officials had an inkling Cherry-Evans could be on the move after he first asked for a release in November, 2023.

So DCE tried to get out of the last 2 years of his contract with us 🤔

Do we need any further confirmation that he was offered a bigger contract by another team?