2026 recruitment & retention

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

That’s because Ricky isn’t under any internal pressure for his job.Not suggesting what you’ve said is wrong,but coaches that are under the pump,don’t like to take many risks with their team lists,for better or worse.Des was the same in his second stint at the club.Look at Ryles,he’s made all these big roster decisions in his first year,freely knowing his job isnt on the line yet and the fact he’s backed his ability

True...but it comes back to the ownership...the notion that we were in a premiership window was a mirage all along. I would have settled for a Top 4 finish under that expectation, even if a premiership wasn't delivered...but to be on the fringes of the Top 8 is pretty substandard. The rebuilding stage should have happened after Des left.

 

[Nordburg]

True...but it comes back to the ownership...the notion that we were in a premiership window was a mirage all along. I would have settled for a Top 4 finish under that expectation, even if a premiership wasn't delivered...but to be on the fringes of the Top 8 is pretty substandard. The rebuilding stage should have happened after Des left.

Then they should of appointed a fresh new coach with no baggage and wasn’t trying to fight for their career.Its what should be done now.Willie Peters would be perfect for a situation like that,if that’s what they’re looking at rather than a short term fix

 

[Highflier]

Are you sure they're breathing? 🤔

Yes ,but only just able to fog up a mirror

 

[Cliffycomeback]

That’s because Ricky isn’t under any internal pressure for his job.Not suggesting what you’ve said is wrong,but coaches that are under the pump,don’t like to take many risks with their team lists,for better or worse.Des was the same in his second stint at the club.Look at Ryles,he’s made all these big roster decisions in his first year,freely knowing his job isnt on the line yet and the fact he’s backed his ability

Here's the thing. Most rusted on fans have known we are nowhere near a premiership window. I dare say Ryles prefaced any signing with the Eels by stating he wasn't expecting to win a competition in year one. I'm pretty sure Ciraldo would have done the same, so too Flannagan. The problem is Seibs has trotted out the Penn company line time and again which suggests he signed on agreeing with the sentiment that we are in a premiership window. A strong coach would never have done that.

Seibs then recruited the way he has and we are now further away from a premiership window than when Seibs first arrived. Go figure.

 

[Nordburg]

Here's the thing. Most rusted on fans have known we are nowhere near a premiership window. I dare say Ryles prefaced any signing with the Eels by stating he wasn't expecting to win a competition in year one. I'm pretty sure Ciraldo would have done the same, so too Flannagan. The problem is Seibs has trotted out the Penn company line time and again which suggests he signed on agreeing with the sentiment that we are in a premiership window. A strong coach would never have done that.

Seibs then recruited the way he has and we are now further away from a premiership window than when Seibs first arrived. Go figure.

As someone posted earlier,Seibold is the epitome of the phrase “fake it til you make it”. A real professional at job interview presentations

 

[Brookie1973]

As someone posted earlier,Seibold is the epitome of the phrase “fake it til you make it”. A real professional at job interview presentations

You can certainly see how he would have got Scott all tingly with his new age mumbo jumbo.

 

[madmax]

That’s because Ricky isn’t under any internal pressure for his job.Not suggesting what you’ve said is wrong,but coaches that are under the pump,don’t like to take many risks with their team lists,for better or worse.Des was the same in his second stint at the club.Look at Ryles,he’s made all these big roster decisions in his first year,freely knowing his job isnt on the line yet and the fact he’s backed his ability

And Ryles has promoted youngsters whilst releasing the older brigade!!!!

 

[XV-1]

Then they should of appointed a fresh new coach with no baggage and wasn’t trying to fight for their career.Its what should be done now.Willie Peters would be perfect for a situation like that,if that’s what they’re looking at rather than a short term fix

If Mestrov did not put any performance clauses in Seibolds 2 year extension, what pressure is Seibold really under in 2025?

Silvertails.net ranting and raving like we do probably is not part of his fight for his career.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

If Mestrov did not put any performance clauses in Seibolds 2 year extension, what pressure is Seibold really under in 2025?

Silvertails.net ranting and raving like we do probably is not part of his fight for his career.

He appeared like a man under the pump in the recent presser.

 

[Leighbra]

What does Seibs bring to our recruitment team? Is his focus mainly on recruiting players over 30 and under 18? Since we don’t have the budget for origin or representative players anymore, where are the top Q-Cup or NSW Cup players who want to break into the NRL full time? Surely, we can find good value in new signings.

Looking at the off-contract list of props below, there are a few who could be worth considering and wouldn’t be seeking big contracts. (Some may have already re-signed, so apologies if that’s the case.) Personally, I’d go with Davvy Moale.

Davvy Moale (age 22)
70 Games for Souths
Height 186 cm
Weight 112 kg

Iszac Fa'asuamaleaui (age 23)
24 Games for the Titans
Height 194 cm
Weight 110 kg

Lazarus Vaalepu (age 26)
10 Games for the Storm
Height 191 cm
Weight 119 kg

Ativalu Lisati (age 24)
8 Games for the Storm
Height 183 cm
Weight 99 kg

Jamal Shibasaki (age 20)
2 Games for the Cowboys
Height 186 cm
Weight 105 kg

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Quick fix signings in the forwards has has been a failure. I feel like they have been blinded by the mirage of a premiership window instead of a steady build process. Young, strong mobile forwards is the future signing old guys at the end of their careers will get you to 10th or 11th.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Knights table three-year deal to secure Raiders forward - NRL News - Zero Tackle EXCLUSIVE: Newcastle Knights table three-year deal to secure Raiders forward

"Zero Tackle understands that the contract will see him earn between $500,000-$600,000 a season"

Wow. No doubt Mooney has potential but that's decent coin for a forward who's only ever started twice in NRL ... and been reserve grade all this year!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

"Zero Tackle understands that the contract will see him earn between $500,000-$600,000 a season"

Wow. No doubt Mooney has potential but that's decent coin for a forward who's only ever started twice in NRL ... and been reserve grade all this year!

There’s going to be ridiculous money spent in the next year or two on at best , good to average players. Anything in the good to superstar range can almost write their own cheque.

What’s the bet Tino becomes the richest ever prop forward signing in the game.

 

[Nordburg]

There’s going to be ridiculous money spent in the next year or two on at best , good to average players. Anything in the good to superstar range can almost write their own cheque.

What’s the bet Tino becomes the richest ever prop forward signing in the game.

Good luck to the players but it’s a quick way to stuff your salary cap by over spending.Tino will be at the Titans or Perth,so thankfully Manly won’t get into a bidding war.Manly need more than just 1 Tino to turn their performances around

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

Would be crazy to try and sign Tino or haas , we should have learned our lesson when it comes to putting too many eggs into only a few baskets…

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Would be crazy to try and sign Tino or haas , we should have learned our lesson when it comes to putting too many eggs into only a few baskets…

100%

We might have to pay overs but I’d rather spend 1.5 million on 3 average to good ( with upside ) reserve graders who can’t get a start at their clubs.

2 year deals , hopefully 2 of the 3 become gooduns.

 

[JakeyB789]

Would be crazy to try and sign Tino or haas , we should have learned our lesson when it comes to putting too many eggs into only a few baskets…

Most teams have their eggs in only a few baskets, it's just that we put ours into a severely overrated halfback who hadn't proved or accomplished anything as the leading man on a successful team, and then later into a couple of brothers whose games have diminished due to age, injuries and rule changes amongst other things.

Tino is only 25 and already has a wealth of leadership and rep experience, obviously he wouldn't come cheap but sometimes you need to break the bank to get these types of players, think like Crichton at the Dogs. The alternative as mentioned is getting a few of the Mooney types for 500-600k+ but people would still complain that we're paying too much on potential. The point is we are not a marquee club anymore and will need to pay up initially if we want to be a more desirable club for players to come to in the future (that and having a coach players want to play for...). Or we can just keep on going like we are, sign players like Klemmer and constantly finish 10th-12th with the odd chance of playing one week of finals every now and then. Sounds fun!

 

[rich]

Trey Mooney Newcastle confirmed

 

[susan]

There’s going to be ridiculous money spent in the next year or two on at best , good to average players. Anything in the good to superstar range can almost write their own cheque.

What’s the bet Tino becomes the richest ever prop forward signing in the game.

And that's why Siebold needs to be sacked. Missing the 8 isn't good but not usually a straight up sacking offence. Plenty of things play into it.

BUT Stacking a side with has been,ordinary, wrong body shape forwards,knowing expansion was coming with Vlandys screaming it from the rooftops,is so ****ing hopeless in terms of roster management it beggars belief.
"Premiership window " " weapons " ... bull****

And people suggesting he should graduate to football manager lol

Have a look at his coaching resume for last ten years.
It's a car crash.Just look at it. Zero success anywhere.

It's not Sherlock Holmes stuff to realize talent will be nigh on unaffordable for two or three years , especially with a tight ass owner.Blind Freddy could see that.

It's incompetence , pure and simple.He has to go.We will now be playing with **** forwards and talented young backs will be wasted for a few years to come. Amateur hour.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Trey Mooney Newcastle confirmed

He is exactly the type of player we need. Unbelievable that the Knights get him and we don't even throw our hat in the ring. I am so close to walking away from this club. The owners seemingly don't give a crap so why should us fans. They are shamelessly grifting longtime supporters and younger fans alike.