2026 recruitment & retention

[maxta]

Lodge came our first couple games at Manly like a Beast.... unfortunately after not 1...but 2 injuries....just not the same and on the slide... the only thing I disagree about as a bloke who is far from a Ldge fan, at least shows a bit of fire in the belly unlike most forwards in this current Manly team....yes some is stupid and almost dumb, but shows some anger about losing and having the opposition pack crap on us

 

[Brookie1973]

We are letting these forwards go as they don’t fit the current playing style needed. We can’t play uptempo finals footy with big lumbering props with no variation in their game.
This show that the club is very aware of what needs to improve to compete again.
1st step, offload the players that contribute to our problems.

Umm, so why did we recruit them in the first place? The game going “uptempo” certainly pre-dates just about all of this lot.

 

[Wombat64]

Umm, so why did we recruit them in the first place? The game going “uptempo” certainly pre-dates just about all of this lot.

Cheap, breathing and available

 

[HK_Eagle]

Cheap, breathing and available

Are you sure they're breathing? 🤔

 

[madmax]

Only 2 of those players have missed significant amounts of games to this point of an ordinary season.You could make a comparison to the one running tonight,but injuries prior to this point,is not an excuse

Paseka, Aloiai, Olakau’atu & Brown have all missed significant game time this year! When you lose your best front row pair it dues become difficult. Add to that your best forward in Olakau’atu & BFB… yeah makes good for an excuse!

 

[Nordburg]

Paseka, Aloiai, Olakau’atu & Brown have all missed significant game time this year! When you lose your best front row pair it dues become difficult. Add to that your best forward in Olakau’atu & BFB… yeah makes good for an excuse!

Brown is not a loss and Olakau’atu had only missed 4 games for the season at the time the comment was made

 

[madmax]

Brown is not a loss and Olakau’atu had only missed 4 games for the season at the time the comment was made

Olakau’atu has only played 15 games this year!

 

[Nordburg]

Olakau’atu has only played 15 games this year!

Yes,so he’d only missed 4 games,at the time I made the comment and the team was playing ordinary when he was playing.They beat Melbourne without him.And now as it stands,Souths have only 2 less wins than them,despite how injury ravaged they are

 

[Cochrane]

Have to agree, losing both front rowers for a large period of the season has a great impact on the go forward we all agree we lack in.

Then think TKO coming off the bench, and maybe Jake as the other prop bench 15 minutes each side of half time, 30 mins total as does lack go forward but good for 8 metres, drop to his knees for a quicker play the ball, and to keep the defence solid when the starting props go for a rest.

Add the fact Manly don't need each one of the front rowers that they have used to patch together this side all season. Keep 1 of the current mob or are there 1 or 2 lower grade props who get some wraps ready for a bit of 1st grade next year...

Ideally I'd like to see another 2nd rower and lock for next year and good priced prop to replace Aloiai.

Burbo, Navale should be ready by now(?) and Waddell all for back up only.

The backs are fine and have Walsh, Large and Willett coming through the system.

Then add some smart recruitment of young players for the backline to compliment Hoppa, Kola, Talau and i guess Saab for when/if Garrick and Turbo call it time.

Just thinking out aloud...

 

[ManlyTragic]

Umm, so why did we recruit them in the first place?

I think our sponsor picked them up at last years council clean up !

Just sayin’

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Paseka, Aloiai, Olakau’atu & Brown have all missed significant game time this year! When you lose your best front row pair it dues become difficult. Add to that your best forward in Olakau’atu & BFB… yeah makes good for an excuse!

then we have fill ins that get injured as well...

 

[Eagle 1]

is Talau being re-signed?

Talau signed for 2026 so far.

 

[47MVEagle]

Have to agree, losing both front rowers for a large period of the season has a great impact on the go forward we all agree we lack in.

Then think TKO coming off the bench, and maybe Jake as the other prop bench 15 minutes each side of half time, 30 mins total as does lack go forward but good for 8 metres, drop to his knees for a quicker play the ball, and to keep the defence solid when the starting props go for a rest.

Add the fact Manly don't need each one of the front rowers that they have used to patch together this side all season. Keep 1 of the current mob or are there 1 or 2 lower grade props who get some wraps ready for a bit of 1st grade next year...

Ideally I'd like to see another 2nd rower and lock for next year and good priced prop to replace Aloiai.

Burbo, Navale should be ready by now(?) and Waddell all for back up only.

The backs are fine and have Walsh, Large and Willett coming through the system.

Then add some smart recruitment of young players for the backline to compliment Hoppa, Kola, Talau and i guess Saab for when/if Garrick and Turbo call it time.

Just thinking out aloud...

 

[Cochrane]

🤣, you know, I listened to that album in the last 3 months or so. Reminder of Mowbray days.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Yes,so he’d only missed 4 games,at the time I made the comment and the team was playing ordinary when he was playing.They beat Melbourne without him.And now as it stands,Souths have only 2 less wins than them,despite how injury ravaged they are

The injury excuse is a bit rich. Instead of making excuses for what is fast becoming a failed season, people should be asking the hard questions of the clubs management/coaching team. Our recruitment over the past three seasons has been absolutely deplorable. I dare say those in charge are dreading the game this weekend. After watching Kao Weekes tear us up last weekend, they will have all their fingers and toes crossed, hoping the Fainus don't embarrass us next. If they do the "dumb dumb" recruitment rumblings will start to sound more like an impending storm.