2026 recruitment & retention

[Phobia]

Hard to compare the Storm roster to ours, or anyone else’s for that matter. They are far and away the best side in the comp this year and it’s not really close. I would easily take Lehi over Fa’alogo or whoever else they have as Papi’s backup, but that’s not really the point as they still have Munster, Hughes and Grant and are likely to never have 3-4 of them out at the same time. Maybe during origin time or at the end of the year when they are rested, but I doubt they care when they’re winning 90% of their games anyway.

We have built our roster around the top few players like they have, but Jake and particularly DCE just haven’t been able to produce wins without Tom. That, and their recruitment with the rest of their roster is on another level to ours. While we are chasing slow, old washed up forwards they are signing younger players with potential for unders (Katoa, Stefano, Blore, King) or developing and playing the young guys they already have in their system (Loiero, MacDonald, Kamikamica). We won’t even give someone like Navale a go while players like Waddell and Sipley are playing regular first grade! That’s been the biggest blight on Seibold’s regime so far IMO

I think part of the reason for your last point may be whiplash - Seibold was very liberal in terms of playing young players when he was at the Broncos. That, and him immediately shipping off the senior players are probably some of the only things you can actually hold against him from his time there. Most of the other reasons was BS, or a result of undermining, cooked up by the Broncs who wanted Kev. He was literally at war with an atrocious Darius Boyd the entire time he was there, with no fault of Seibs.

Instead we've had the opposite. I think he is more inclined to be conservative here, than he was under Bellamy at the Storm, at Souths, and at the Broncos.

 

[Ohgeez]

They did,but to be fair,he hasn’t been at the club long,so he’s yet to really have an impact,good or bad.He does have a connection with Galvin though

Yea that’s what I was thinking. Might have had something to do with the Large brothers as well

 

[JakeyB789]

I think part of the reason for your last point may be whiplash - Seibold was very liberal in terms of playing young players when he was at the Broncos. That, and him immediately shipping off the senior players are probably some of the only things you can actually hold against him from his time there. Most of the other reasons was BS, or a result of undermining, cooked up by the Broncs who wanted Kev. He was literally at war with an atrocious Darius Boyd the entire time he was there, with no fault of Seibs.

Instead we've had the opposite. I think he is more inclined to be conservative here, than he was under Bellamy at the Storm, at Souths, and at the Broncos.

Agreed, and to his credit he did bring through some great young players in his time at the Broncos - Haas, Carrigan, Coates, Farnworth, Dearden, Flegler and our very own Bully to name a few.

Obviously we don’t have the same level of talent but with the way things are going here I think he has to start coming up with something different. Saw the other day that we have one of the oldest rosters in the league and we certainly look and play like it. Our pack in particular was already our major weakness and that’s even worse now with Paseka out for the year. That all points to me like we need an injection of youth and Navale should be right in the picture, with Laifai pushing for FG by the end of the year. Don’t want to bring too many in at once like at the Broncos, but with how old and experienced our side already is we can definitely afford a couple of new players in there.

 

[Ohgeez]

So with Brooks, Turbo and Jurbo off contract in 2027 (none of whom will be worth close to their current deals come extension time). DCE gone. Even Jamal for 2026 & 2027 for $500k... we are going to have some serious money available.

Galvin as a 6 or 13 on a million+ (presumably with an increased salary cap by then) is not an unrealistic prospect from 2027.

Add Garrick & Croker to that list as well that most likely won’t be extended. Think it was reported Garrick is on $500k per season to stop him for going to Newcastle & Croker between $300-350k.

 

[Disco]

Yep i think the loss of Paseka has been perhaps a bit underestimated on here in general. We've gone from a fringe top 4 team, to maybe missing the 8 on the back of that in my opinion (obviously the turbo injury and DCE stuff is a contributor)

Not by me.

Was a devastating loss.

Probably on behind Turbo and DCE in players we can afford to go down

 

[Eagles4Life]

Not by me.

Was a devastating loss.

Probably on behind Turbo and DCE in players we can afford to go down

Arguably, none of those three are currently contributing on the field. DCE is only going through the motions, and the rest of the team can see that for what it is. Let him go early, or send him back to NSW Cup. I think there is no longer anything positive he can bring to the club for the rest of 2025.

 

[double hoops]

Is your source in the know?

Would seem very strange to me why we would sign him, it would undoubtedly put Onitoni Large off, as Galvin (who at that time was likely to stay) was the reason he left the Tigers in the first place.

I don't know why he'd want to come here to play second-row or lock, either, unless he seriously rates us as a place to win a comp.

Tigers were right. Large is a centre.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

I suspect he’ll end up at the dogs. No one would sign with the eels at the moment and they didn’t rate him as a kid.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

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

We might be some chance now that ‘Bulltodd’ Greenberg is f-cking over another sport.

 

[KNUCKLES]

I'm looking a bit further ahead to 2027 to what our team could potentially look like. I think Jake should hang up his boots and turbo to medically retire or take a massive pay cut and a position change. I've based my line-up on contract statuses and who I think we should chase etc. I think even with galvin we can still land some decent forwards. Also with the turnover of players over the next few yrs and some smart cheap extensions. I think something like this is plausible.

2027

1.Lehi Hopoate
2.Jason Saab
3.Tom Trbojevic
4.Onitoni Large
5.Tolu Koula
6.Lachlan Galvin
7.Joey Walsh
8.Taniela Paseka
9.*
10.Ethan Bullemor
11.Haumole Olakau'atu
12.*
13.*

14.Luke Brooks
15.Josh Aloiai
16.Ben Trbojevic
17.*

18.Clayton Faulalo
19.Raymond Vaega
20.Aaron Schoupp
21.Tommy Talau
22.Navren Willett
23.
24.Ashton Large
25.Simione Laiafi
26.Zaidas Matugutia
27.D'jazirhae Pua'avase
28.*
29.Corey Waddell
30.Caleb Navale

Hooker Options
Tom Starling, Jamie Humphreys*

Prop Options
Trey Mooney* Sam Tuivati, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry, Payne Haas.

Second Row Options
Josh Curran, Kai Pearce Paul, Suia Wong* Jacob Laban, Kitione Kautonga, Zyon Maiu'u*

Lock Options
Keon Koloamatangi* Kobe Hetherington, Jack Todd, Naufua Whyte.

 

[madmax]

Add Garrick & Croker to that list as well that most likely won’t be extended. Think it was reported Garrick is on $500k per season to stop him for going to Newcastle & Croker between $300-350k.

Yeah let’s get rid of Garrick…..one of the form Centres going around, accomplished goal kicker, leading point scorer by some margin. Yeah let’s get rid of him & who will be our kicker? I’d be extending Garrick before any of the Trbojevics! Tom is maybe worth a gamble at a reduced salary, Jake is past his use by date, Ben is fortunate to Trbojevic as his surname otherwise no more than NSW Cup player! Cannot believe people want Garrick gone lololol. Some even calling for Koula & Saab to be moved on lololol but let’s hang onto our aging & slow as a wet fart forwards…..Olakau’atu, Bully & Paseka excepted.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Yeah let’s get rid of Garrick…..one of the form Centres going around, accomplished goal kicker, leading point scorer by some margin. Yeah let’s get rid of him & who will be our kicker? I’d be extending Garrick before any of the Trbojevics! Tom is worth holding onto but Jake & Ben are past their use by date.

Im of the belief one of Garrick and koula need to go. They are both on good money. Money we need to strengthen forwards. Garrick is off contract before koula. And koula is better defensively

 

[madmax]

Im of the belief one of Garrick and koula need to go. They are both on good money. Money we need to strengthen forwards. Garrick is off contract before koula. And koula is better defensively

Why? And replace them with?? Get rid of the dead wood if we need money! DCE, Brbo, Waddell, MCK, Brown, Jrbo, Sipley to name a few! There are many more should be released before on any our backs! This fu<king love affair with the brothers is now over the top!

 

[KNUCKLES]

Why? And replace them with?? Get rid of the dead wood if we need money! DCE, Brbo, Waddell, MCK, Brown, Jrbo, Sipley to name a few! There are many more should be released before on any our backs! This fu<king love affair with the brothers is now over the top!

If you read my post about 30 minutes ago you should be able to get my thinking behind it. All those players above should mostly go as well

 

[Ohgeez]

Yeah let’s get rid of Garrick…..one of the form Centres going around, accomplished goal kicker, leading point scorer by some margin. Yeah let’s get rid of him & who will be our kicker? I’d be extending Garrick before any of the Trbojevics! Tom is maybe worth a gamble at a reduced salary, Jake is past his use by date, Ben is fortunate to Trbojevic as his surname otherwise no more than NSW Cup player! Cannot believe people want Garrick gone lololol. Some even calling for Koula & Saab to be moved on lololol but let’s hang onto our aging & slow as a wet fart forwards…..Olakau’atu, Bully & Paseka excepted.

What are you yapping about? Form centre of the comp? 🤣🤣 a in form centre doesn’t get burnt like he did by Howarth the other week, completely embarrassing 1 on 1 defence. The goal kicker will be Fogarty or Walsh, whoever the next halfback of the club is. Also got no idea why you are ranting about Burbo & the pack, all I said was I don’t think Garrick will be extended & I stand by that. A big reason is that Large will most likely be a centre to start his career.

Just a tip for you, releasing guys on peanuts like you are suggesting such as Cheekam, Waddel, Brown & Sipley isn’t going to create salary cap space for us…

 

[Eagles4Life]

I'm looking a bit further ahead to 2027 to what our team could potentially look like. I think Jake should hang up his boots and turbo to medically retire or take a massive pay cut and a position change. I've based my line-up on contract statuses and who I think we should chase etc. I think even with galvin we can still land some decent forwards. Also with the turnover of players over the next few yrs and some smart cheap extensions. I think something like this is plausible.

2027

1.Lehi Hopoate
2.Jason Saab
3.Tom Trbojevic
4.Onitoni Large
5.Tolu Koula
6.Lachlan Galvin
7.Joey Walsh
8.Taniela Paseka
9.*
10.Ethan Bullemor
11.Haumole Olakau'atu
12.*
13.*

14.Luke Brooks
15.Josh Aloiai
16.Ben Trbojevic
17.*

18.Clayton Faulalo
19.Raymond Vaega
20.Aaron Schoupp
21.Tommy Talau
22.Navren Willett
23.
24.Ashton Large
25.Simione Laiafi
26.Zaidas Matugutia
27.D'jazirhae Pua'avase
28.*
29.Corey Waddell
30.Caleb Navale

Hooker Options
Tom Starling, Jamie Humphreys*

Prop Options
Trey Mooney* Sam Tuivati, Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry, Payne Haas.

Second Row Options
Josh Curran, Kai Pearce Paul, Suia Wong* Jacob Laban, Kitione Kautonga, Zyon Maiu'u*

Lock Options
Keon Koloamatangi* Kobe Hetherington, Jack Todd, Naufua Whyte.

2027

1.Lehi Hopoate

2.Jason Saab

3.Tom Trbojevic

4.Reuben Garrick

5.Tolu Koula

6.Luke Brooks

7.Joey Walsh

8.Taniela Paseka

9.*

10.Jake Trbojevic (C)

11.Haumole Olakau'atu

12.*

13.Lachlan Galvin


14.Zaidas Matugutia

15.Ethan Bullemore

16. Caleb Navale

17. Josh Aloiai


18.Clayton Faulalo

19.Ben Trbojevic

20.Aaron Schoupp

21.Tommy Talau

22.Navren Willett

23.Onitoni Large

24.Ashton Large

25.Simione Laiafi

26.*Middle

27.D'jazirhae Pua'avase

28.*Edge

29.Corey Waddell

30. *Middle/Edge

 

[Buddy Love]

Add Garrick & Croker to that list as well that most likely won’t be extended. Think it was reported Garrick is on $500k per season to stop him for going to Newcastle & Croker between $300-350k.

Garrick not extended 🤣 guys a great player and one of the best goal kickers in the league

 

[Dion Johnson]

According to the NRL signings tracker these players are off contract.

Aaron Schoupp 2025
Aitasi James 2025
Clayton Faulalo 2025
Daly Cherry-Evans 2025
Dean Matterson 2025
Ethan Bullemor 2025
Gordon Chan Kum Tong 2025
Jake Arthur 2025
Jazz Tevaga 2025
Josh Aloiai 2025
Michael Chee Kam 2025
Raymond Vaega 2025
Siua Taukei'aho 2025
Toafofoa Sipley 2025
Tommy Talau 2025

I would sign Bully on a four year deal, Talau on a two year deal and Faulalo on a two year deal, the rest I wouldn’t be concerned with letting go.

Signing targets,

Junior Nasemba - Wigan
Jamal Shibasaki - Cowboys
Harrison Hassett - Panthers
Finau Latu - Dragons
Nick Tsougranis- Dragons
Ethan Roberts - Rorters
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava - Warriors

 

[KNUCKLES]

According to the NRL signings tracker these players are off contract.

Aaron Schoupp 2025
Aitasi James 2025
Clayton Faulalo 2025
Daly Cherry-Evans 2025
Dean Matterson 2025
Ethan Bullemor 2025
Gordon Chan Kum Tong 2025
Jake Arthur 2025
Jazz Tevaga 2025
Josh Aloiai 2025
Michael Chee Kam 2025
Raymond Vaega 2025
Siua Taukei'aho 2025
Toafofoa Sipley 2025
Tommy Talau 2025

I would sign Bully on a four year deal, Talau on a two year deal and Faulalo on a two year deal, the rest I wouldn’t be concerned with letting go.

Signing targets,

Junior Nasemba - Wigan
Jamal Shibasaki - Cowboys
Harrison Hassett - Panthers
Finau Latu - Dragons
Nick Tsougranis- Dragons
Ethan Roberts - Rorters
Eddie Ieremia-Toeava - Warriors

I dont think we need anymore outside backs. We have them by the bucket load already

 

[Dion Johnson]

I dont think we need anymore outside backs. We have them by the bucket load already

Agree that’s why I suggested edge and middle forwards that are young and have a high likelihood to succeed in first grade. If it means freeing up money I would look at releasing Garrick and Koula to facilitate better forwards.