2026 recruitment & retention

[Cliffycomeback]

Really is Mooney that good? I have seen a few positive plays from him but nothing that makes me think Wowee Zowee

Yes he is.

 

[nightster]

I watched him live last year he’s a machine. There’s a reason raiders signed him till 2027.

Only reason he’s been given permission to leave is because they are extending Papalii

👍👍

 

[Disco]

I've been advocating Mooney and dont get me wrong, he isn't the messiah but a good young prop.

Easily walks into our 17 IMO, possibly starts.

 

[double hoops]

I've been luke warm on him for a few years. He's been a stand out in ressies for a few years but wasnt NRL ready for mine. Until this year. I think in 25 he's taken big a step up.

It's not just his potential.

It's the type of middle he is as well. Mobile. Nice weight for us.

His best years are in front of him, would like em to be at Manly.

 

[The '47ers]

Dragons set to snap up dummy-half prospect in three-year deal - NRL News - Zero Tackle Dragons set to snap up dummy-half prospect in three-year deal

 

[Old Timer]

How do you think Siosifa Talakai would go as a prop ?

 

[madmax]

How do you think Siosifa Talakai would go as a prop ?

I think he’d make a good back row partner for Olakau’atu!

 

[Blowfly]

Actually Woods was a great signing. I guess you could argue Chee Kam and Waddells case too.

Woods 1st of all we got for free for two young players that didn’t kick on. Woods even though at the end of his career, still managed to fill in when needed and provide an experienced head in the sheds.

Chee Kam with a wealth of NRL experience comes to Manly on a minimum contract aiming to land one last payday on the back of it. Low risk for a very experienced player to balance the squad salary cap.

Then we have Waddell who is probably my least favourite player in the squad. Man it burns me to see him on the team list each week. But again he is providing value for money stating in the 2nd row actually filling in ok over the last month or so. Also plays in the front row as a smaller forward and would be on a cut priced deal.

You need these players in the squad that have NRL experience at a low cost.

If you mentioned a player we payed overs for I could understand your argument but I feel Manly are in front with these 3

Wow!

Is this you Mr Seibold?

FMD…no wonder Manly is tanking with mindsets like this.

 

[Blowfly]

Mestrov didn't appoint Siebold

He did and he also hasn’t sacked him yet

 

[Nordburg]

He did and he also hasn’t sacked him yet

Wait til seasons end for your last words to come true

 

[Tragic Eagle]

If we loose 3 out of the next 4 which looks likely, then Seibold can't possibly remain in 2026. I hope they are already on the hunt for a new head coach so as to give whoever it is time to assemble his support staff. The easy option for Penn is to appoint Ennis however if he does nothing will change.

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

The easy option for Penn is to appoint Ennis however if he does nothing will change.

Did somebody say "easy option"? SOLD!

Seriously, our owners/management are just like our team in this regard: always looking for the quick fix/easy out. There is zero commitment to a plan or long-term vision.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Did somebody say "easy option"? SOLD!

Seriously, our owners/management are just like our team in this regard: always looking for the quick fix/easy out. There is zero commitment to a plan or long-term vision.

… it will be interesting to see how titans and souths owners and management react to their season results.

 

[Nordburg]

If we loose 3 out of the next 4 which looks likely, then Seibold can't possibly remain in 2026. I hope they are already on the hunt for a new head coach so as to give whoever it is time to assemble his support staff. The easy option for Penn is to appoint Ennis however if he does nothing will change.

Not sure Ennis is an “easy option”,stupid yes,but not easy

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Easy in the sense that they can in the short term maintain the same support coaching personal with the illusion of having changed things by substituting Ennis in place of Seibold as head coach.

 

[Ben]

Geez we will have some money free’d up for 2027. I say we are a huge chance of landing one of Payne or Tino.
We are suspiciously quite in the transfer market only really interested in Hetherington, only missing out to his eye for the Bears.
This shows we are after a hard nosed mobile prop that won’t break the bank keeping funds for the big fish.

It does make it hard to sing players for next year with such cloud over the coaching roll. This needs to be sorted out before we can bring players in.

This area has officially come to an end and it’s time to build a new foundation.
In 2027 Fogarty, Walsh, Zadias and Hoppa will be the new spine. Payne/Tino up front will really put us in a strong position.

 

[Rocky]

Geez we will have some money free’d up for 2027. I say we are a huge chance of landing one of Payne or Tino.
We are suspiciously quite in the transfer market only really interested in Hetherington, only missing out to his eye for the Bears.
This shows we are after a hard nosed mobile prop that won’t break the bank keeping funds for the big fish.

It does make it hard to sing players for next year with such cloud over the coaching roll. This needs to be sorted out before we can bring players in.

This area has officially come to an end and it’s time to build a new foundation.
In 2027 Fogarty, Walsh, Zadias and Hoppa will be the new spine. Payne/Tino up front will really put us in a strong position.

I'm with you - if we can nail the signings with the money freed up for 2027 then we are back in it.

 

[BirdMan4ever]

Even if we got into the 8, i would punt Siebs on the follwing;
1. no improvement in team fitness and defence since he arrived
2. player division
3. picking Waddell every week over chee kam and Navale
4. leaving Jake on for 80min
5. not taking captency off DCE
6. has not attracted a new good backup forward since he arrived
7. our attack is NOT the Manly Way

now get out of our club,
you myth

 

[mickqld]

Possible 2026 lineup
1.Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hopoate
6. Brooks
7. Fogarty
8. Jake T
9. Brailey
10. Paseka
11. Olakau'atu
12. Fermor
13. Kobe Hetherington

14. Bullemore
15. TKO
16. T Talau
17. Wiremu Greg

 

[Disco]

Possible 2026 lineup
1.Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hopoate
6. Brooks
7. Fogarty
8. Jake T
9. Brailey
10. Paseka
11. Olakau'atu
12. Fermor
13. Kobe Hetherington

14. Bullemore
15. TKO
16. T Talau
17. Wiremu Greg

This is not a go just an FYI.

Hethrington just re-signed with the Broncos for 1 year.....he's looking for the 2027 $$$ with the Bears coming in.

Brailey is not off contract, he is for 27 and would be ideal.

Fermor.....reports first came out saying he was free to go then they said he wanted out but was denied. As it stands he is not off contract but who knows in this wild world of NRL....he eould be great.

Greig is awful IMO, honestly I'd have all our current middles ahead of him and a bunch of ours are bang average.