2026 recruitment & retention

[SeaEagleRock8]

It’s such a pity , just imagine how more even the competition would be if the bottom half teams got the best upcoming talent , rather than the top talent just going to the rich clubs.

But let's face it, do we really just want to be equal, and hopefully win a comp once every 18 years, or do we in fact want to be one of the rich clubs so we can dominate like we did in days of yore?!

 

[WAMF]

I wonder if we might make a play for Kieran Foran next year if he's injury free and well priced? Give him a coaching role when he's done playing?
We could do far worse I reckon.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

But let's face it, do we really just want to be equal, and hopefully win a comp once every 18 years, or do we in fact want to be one of the rich clubs so we can dominate like we did in days of yore?!

An uber rich Saudi benefactor who falls in love with Rugby League would be perfect.

“ Hello Mr Mestrov , Sultan Ramani here , how many dollars a year di you need to buy the competition “??

“ GDay your highness , $200 million a year should do it”

“No problems Mr Mestrov, I’ll get my minions to transfer in a billion for you , now if you need more , for bribes or anything you just let me know “

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

An uber rich Saudi benefactor who falls in love with Rugby League would be perfect.

“ Hello Mr Mestrov , Sultan Ramani here , how many dollars a year di you need to buy the competition “??

“ GDay your highness , $200 million a year should do it”

“No problems Mr Mestrov, I’ll get my minions to transfer in a billion for you , now if you need more , for bribes or anything you just let me know “

Hmm. Actually, you know what, I'll take the once every 18 years!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Hmm. Actually, you know what, I'll take the once every 18 years!

Yours is far far more likely than mine

 

[manly al]

Think that a big factor still has to be just how much value for money clubs can get from their highest paid or premium level type players .
Seems to be a given for instance in the Storm's case with Munster , Hughes , Grant and Pappy regularly performing to a high level and a relative good availability on the injury front .
Then compared with Manly and serious issues with Turbo "s regular unavailability and even when he is playing , hampered by injury .
Jake for all of his commitment and still solid defence , nowhere near his 950 K or so pay grade . D C E on balance and over time , just not warranting his pay packet .
Haumole the only one really justifying his now considerable and elite type contract level .
Mid level guys like Garrick , Tent , Brooks and Koula generally good value for money , Alioia not so of course .
Plenty of other comparisons with other clubs and other considerations with superior junior systems but again in Manly 's case , just have not and continue not to be getting the required value for money out of their main grouping of top tier players

 

[manly al]

Not a determining factor and other clubs experience a similar problem at various times but hardly helping also having to outlay that 200 K for Schuster leaving .
Meant in Turbo "s instance of actually - often still hampered by injury when he is available and the sad reality again of when he can play pretty much injury free , naturally one of the most dynamic and influential players going around .

 

[madmax]

In my opinion, we need to send him (and a couple of others) back to the NSW Cup. Our forward pack is just not working out, and our dysfunctional bench rotation is a massive part of that. Firstly, I think we need to drop Brownie and promote Navale to a bench role as soon as possible. Secondly, Croker needs to be our starting hooker (purely for his defence in the middle), with Tevaga providing cover off the bench, and Simpkin back to NSW Cup. Unfortunately, we don't appear to have any other younger middles that we can immediately bring in to take Sipleys place, or he would be going back to NSW Cup as well. Perhaps the answer is to start him with Aloiai and then bring Jake into the prop rotation after 15/20 minutes, with Navale taking the lock role for the rest of the game. I don't think Burbo is the answer at backrow, but (at this stage) we don't have any obvious candidates to take that spot yet either. Patolo or Pua'Avase perhaps in the future?

This leaves us with a pack for the Dragons that could look like this

Aloiai
Croker
Sipley
Olakau'atu
Burbo
Jurbo

Tevaga
Navale
Bullemore
Taukeiaho

Not particularly inspiring I know, but our much-vaunted depth on paper is looking pretty crappy, when it actually takes the field. We have to do something, though, as our season is slipping away.

In terms of retention for 2026, I think Tevaga, Sipley, and Taukeaiho should all be moved on. As should Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Aitasi James, Dean Matterson, Aaron Schoupp and Ray Vaega. (All off contract)

I’d add Jrbo & Brbo to the moved on list to be frank. Jrbo into defensive coach role & Brbo to reserves until he beefs up & gets some leg speed. He’s not a backrower or centre. TKO has been good for us this year as has Aloiai. I’d get Patolo & Navale into the 17.
TKO
Croker
Aloiai
Olakau’atu
Bully
Navale
Res: Jazz, Patolo, Brown, Sipley

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Think that a big factor still has to be just how much value for money clubs can get from their highest paid or premium level type players .
Seems to be a given for instance in the Storm's case with Munster , Hughes , Grant and Pappy regularly performing to a high level and a relative good availability on the injury front .
Then compared with Manly and serious issues with Turbo "s regular unavailability and even when he is playing , hampered by injury .
Jake for all of his commitment and still solid defence , nowhere near his 950 K or so pay grade . D C E on balance and over time , just not warranting his pay packet .
Haumole the only one really justifying his now considerable and elite type contract level .
Mid level guys like Garrick , Tent , Brooks and Koula generally good value for money , Alioia not so of course .
Plenty of other comparisons with other clubs and other considerations with superior junior systems but again in Manly 's case , just have not and continue not to be getting the required value for money out of their main grouping of top tier players

Good point this think how much more value Roosters get from Tedesco.

 

[manly al]

Good point this think how much more value Roosters get from Tedesco.

No doubt with Tedesco and sure like many other Manly fans was really hoping and part expecting that Turbo 's career , just like Teddy 's , could see him overcoming the earlier run of serious injury and then have a relatively injury free career .
Guess that there is some hope [ or maybe wishful thinking ] that with Turbo at 28 or so now , can still turn things around for the remainder of his career but unfortunately can not be a given of course and again if only it could be

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

No doubt with Tedesco and sure like many other Manly fans was really hoping and part expecting that Turbo 's career , just like Teddy 's , could see him overcoming the earlier run of serious injury and then have a relatively injury free career .
Guess that there is some hope [ or maybe wishful thinking ] that with Turbo at 28 or so now , can still turn things around for the remainder of his career but unfortunately can not be a given of course and again if only it could be

In regards to Tom I’d love to be optimistic, but all I can see is an eventual road to medical retirement.

It’s only a matter of time I feel.

But gee, I hope I’m wrong as it’s a tragedy for the kid to be so bloody good and not being able to fulfill his dreams.

 

[Rocky]

I wonder if we might make a play for Kieran Foran next year if he's injury free and well priced? Give him a coaching role when he's done playing?
We could do far worse I reckon.

I'm not sure if its been mentioned on here but Michael Carayannis on 360 hinted at this the other day...usually take it with a grain of salt with these guys, but I sensed the way he said it, he may have some mail.

 

[Thewestisbest]

I’d add Jrbo & Brbo to the moved on list to be frank. Jrbo into defensive coach role & Brbo to reserves until he beefs up & gets some leg speed. He’s not a backrower or centre. TKO has been good for us this year as has Aloiai. I’d get Patolo & Navale into the 17.
TKO
Croker
Aloiai
Olakau’atu
Bully
Navale
Res: Jazz, Patolo, Brown, Sipley

Come round 11 I hope we get Navale and Patolo into the side. We desperately need an injection of youthful energy and those are the two obvious ones to bring it imo.

 

[master blaster]

Galvin will be free after 2026

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

In regards to Tom I’d love to be optimistic, but all I can see is an eventual road to medical retirement.

Remember, under NRL rules, Manly players are not eligible for medical retirement.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Remember, under NRL rules, Manly players are not eligible for medical retirement.

Oh so true

 

[mave]

Galvin leaving Tigers at end of 2026..

That relationship will be untenable, going forward.

 

[JakeyB789]

Hard to see him still being there next year with a statement like this. He's a good young player but I don't think he would be a great fit at our club, would hope we are going ahead with the Fogarty plan and developing Large/Walsh but the Moses connection has me a bit worried.

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

Hard to see him still being there next year with a statement like this. He's a good young player but I don't think he would be a great fit at our club, would hope we are going ahead with the Fogarty plan and developing Large/Walsh but the Moses connection has me a bit worried.

View attachment 29870

Statement and situation not entirely different from that of Manly and DCE, although the Tigers are more open regarding indications of frustration. Agree, hard to see how the parties can work together through 2025 and 2026.

 

[mave]

He'd make a great lock as he fills out, just saying.

But he wants his Dylan Brown halfback money,,,,and fair enough too.

Not the right fit for us at this stage, that I can see.