2026 recruitment & retention

[The '47ers]

Jamal Fogarty confident in move to Manly amid stellar Raiders run | The Canberra Times | Canberra, ACT 'My decision to go there's not going to change': No regrets for Fogarty, despite Raiders' form

 

[Ohgeez]

Obviously you don't follow NSW Cup much

Give a couple examples then that are off contract like I said… it’s all good & fun naming young players that would improve the team but if they are signed long term it’s pointless mentioning them like you’ve done with Fatialofa.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Give a couple examples then that are off contract like I said… it’s all good & fun naming young players that would improve the team but if they are signed long term it’s pointless mentioning them like you’ve done with Fatialofa.

Remember though contracts mean **** all these days .

If a kid , say playing for the Warriors , can’t see a way forward into first grade his manager will agitate for a release , and it might happen that the club doesn’t stand in the way.

AFB from us to the Warriors is a good example , and he was a star not a kid

 

[The Indian]

I don't mind Wilson - he's not your big bodied power winger but he has good speed and finish. I think he's worth a shot if he fills out a bit and maintains his speed.

Re Jake Turpin - we seem to a home for lost and unwanted hookers and we recycle them like aluminum cans. This bloke is just the latest in a long line and he'll probably end the same way too.

 

[Phobia]

If I were to make predictions about what our NRL team will look like both next year, and in 2027, something becomes quite apparent. This assumes that Jake doesnt extend, Garrick leaves for Bears, and we release Brooks to the Bears.

Realistic most-capped team in 2026:

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siosiua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Jake Turpin
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Corey Waddell
17. Caleb Navale

Presumably, throughout this year, we will hand NRL debuts to the likes of Hart, Laiafi, Muagututia, Walsh, and others. Most of these players come into the Top 30 next year. I expect this is why we're not making significant signings, alongside a lack of availability.

2027

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Tom Trbojevic
5. Tommy Talau / Blake Wilson
6. Joey Walsh
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin / Zaidas Muagututia
10. Tino Fa'asuamaleaui / Another A class forward (someone will become available)
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Hugo Hart
13. Ben Trbojevic
14. Onitoni Large
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Caleb Navale
17. Simione Laiafi

NRL quality signings may genuinely risk these young players from future opportunities. 2026 doesn't look pretty, but considering we get Fogarty, Olakau'atu, and Paseka back, it's an upgrade on right now.

 

[MW66]

I can say with quite a bit of certainty that 2026 will bring very few changes to the roster. Minimal signings and non-news worthy ones at that. 2027 is our opportunity and when I expect you will see some moving and shaking.

Well that is bloody depressing. Hard to fathom really with DCE leaving, Aloaia leaving, Sipley leaving, Jazz + maybe a few others. I did not expect 'elite' signings but I did expect a few diamonds in the rough and a couple of younger, mobile Props/Middles.

 

[Eagle 1]

Yep absolutely. The real challenge is making the Jurbo / Turbo changes happen for this off-season.

Jake is now an obvious change and there is an obvious solution right there. Must keep him in the club however for many years to come.... but not as a player. Tom is more of a $650k player with probably 3 year extension ....starting from next year....not 27. Throw in the Aloiai, Sipley, Croker ++ changes and we should be able to free up close to $3m in the cap.

Fifita + NAS would be my targets.

Be careful for what you wish for silvereagle, Fifita is a lazy arse and NAS gives away to many penalties and ìs mistake prone. Of the two I'd take NAS tho.

 

[Ohgeez]

Remember though contracts mean **** all these days .

If a kid , say playing for the Warriors , can’t see a way forward into first grade his manager will agitate for a release , and it might happen that the club doesn’t stand in the way.

AFB from us to the Warriors is a good example , and he was a star not a kid

If we can somehow convince them to break contract then that’s amazing but realistically the focus should be on November 1 for 2027 IMO. Next year give Mafoa, Bryan, Laiafi, Walsh, Large etc a chance rather than pretending we are premiership contenders again. Then we can actually start building toward something

 

[Eagles4Life]

Possible Top Thirty Squad 2026 (EDITED)

Luke Brooks
Paul Bryan
Ethan Bullemor
Clayton Faulalo
Jamal Fogarty
Reuben Garrick
Lehi Hopoate
Tolutau Koula
Simione Laiafi
Onitoni Large (Upgraded from Development)
Matthew Lodge
Zaidas Muagututia (Upgraded from Development)
Caleb Navale
Haumole Olakau'atu
Taniela Paseka
Jason Saab
Jake Simpkin
Tommy Talau
Siosiua Taukeiaho
Ben Trbojevic
Tom Trbojevic
Jake Turpin
Corey Waddell
Joey Walsh
Blake Wilson



Josh Aloiai (Medically Retired)
Nathan Brown (Retired)
Lachlan Croker (Medically Retired)
Jake Trbojevic (Medically Retired)

Leaves five spots open in the thirty, and two development spots as well.

Possible 17 from the "possible 2026 Top Thirty) above

Hopoate
Saab
Koula
T.Trbojevic
Garrick
Walsh
Fogarty
Paseka
Simpkin
Bullemore
Olakau'atu
B.Trbojevic
Navale

Brooks
Talau
Laififi
Taukeiaho

Still leaves five open spots in the thirty after the addition of Wilson and Turpin.

 

[Ben]

I can say with quite a bit of certainty that 2026 will bring very few changes to the roster. Minimal signings and non-news worthy ones at that. 2027 is our opportunity and when I expect you will see some moving and shaking.

Not sure if you mentioned else where but was it the Wilson signing you were referring to?

 

[Bomb Voyage]

Not sure if you mentioned else where but was it the Wilson signing you were referring to?

Yeah, although there are others in the works, but that was the one closest to finalisation

 

[Top End Eagle]

What's this crap I heard about Wilson the winger from the dogs and Turpin coming to Manly? FMD is this the sort of signings we are destined for?

Willet is ready to go Faulolo and Talau are first graders, hopefully this means Garrick is pissing off.

But Turpin is three years ago's man.

Give Gordy a proper go and don't make him feel like he is playing for a spot. It's clear he needs the confidence of being told the jumper is his for good but the fecking autistic coach couldn't read 'Wher's Spot?' let alone a bunch of adult men playing a man's game.

Simpkin has reached his ceiling and it's the ten foot one you go for on the Metricon Homes package when you can't stretch for the twelve.

 

[The '47ers]

I don't mind Wilson - he's not your big bodied power winger but he has good speed and finish. I think he's worth a shot if he fills out a bit and maintains his speed.

Re Jake Turpin - we seem to a home for lost and unwanted hookers and we recycle them like aluminum cans. This bloke is just the latest in a long line and he'll probably end the same way too.

No one likes a lost, unwanted and recycled hooker.
Alright that's enough hooker "jokes"

 

[Top End Eagle]

And how long is Schoup Schoupy Dooby wasting money on the cap? Feck him off too.

With a shotgun.

Bang!

What's it with that thang....

 

[Top End Eagle]

Aint no schooner like a Friday arvo schooner.

But seriously, there was something I was going to say....

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Obviously you don't follow NSW Cup much

Everyone sux in Qld Cup and NSW Cup. Literally everyone. There are no young players ready to have a crack, none at all. Rugby league will die off in a few years because there are no good young players anywhere to be found.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

I can say with quite a bit of certainty that 2026 will bring very few changes to the roster. Minimal signings and non-news worthy ones at that. 2027 is our opportunity and when I expect you will see some moving and shaking.

Every one knows we will have money in 27. But if we medically retired Aloiai where is that coin going? There's should be some money for next year unless Aloiai, Sipley, Lodge, Etc don't move on.

 

[Brookie1973]

Every one knows we will have money in 27. But if we medically retired Aloiai where is that coin going? There's should be some money for next year unless Aloiai, Sipley, Lodge, Etc don't move on.

Isn’t Lodge being upgraded to top 30 next year? But agree, hard to fathom how we seem perpetually unable to free up cap space, especially when you watch teams like the bulldogs effectively turnover their entire roster in the space of a couple of years.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

What about that Bunty Afoa fan favourite from the Warriors ? Play for Samoa and at one stage didn't miss a game for 5yrs 2018-23 only 28yrs. Haven't had many game time lately due to up and comers from their club. Also Tiger pick a giant 195cm 20yr old from them also.

Hope we bring back Woodsie for another 5yrs to give it to them teach them lesson. WDF is happening??

 

[Eagledare2dream]

Aint no schooner like a Friday arvo schooner.

But seriously, there was something I was going to say....

Was it
give me some of dat yum yum chop