2026 recruitment & retention

[MW66]

Tom Ale (NZ Warriors Prop) rumoured to have signed with Penrith Panthers. Fits the profile of players we need. Wouldn't have broken the bank. Why can't we sign these type of players? Instead we are looking to sign a winger and a hooker/utility.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Tom Ale (NZ Warriors Prop) rumoured to have signed with Penrith Panthers. Fits the profile of players we need. Wouldn't have broken the bank. Why can't we sign these type of players? Instead we are looking to sign a winger and a hooker/utility.

If you had an offer from the 4x back to back premiers, looking likely for a serious crack at a 5th, and a club that is capitulating at the end of the season - who would you pick?

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

View attachment 31037

That table shows there's not a huge difference among all the clubs.
And age itself is not a problem, your average Test or rep side always has heaps of 'mature' players, pretty much because they are best.
The difference is in which positions you have the age. Ideally you want an old head but not old legs, but too many of our oldies are up front.

 

[MW66]

Easy choice however I am not sure we are even looking at these type of players. Bomb Voyage, who tipped us off about a couple of signings said things are very quiet. If we are tight on the cap then I would be prioritizing 1/2 props/middles versus a winger!

 

[Leighbra]

Tom Ale (NZ Warriors Prop) rumoured to have signed with Penrith Panthers. Fits the profile of players we need. Wouldn't have broken the bank. Why can't we sign these type of players? Instead we are looking to sign a winger and a hooker/utility.

Because he isn't 30+ off the back of 2 ACL's and a shoulder reco.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

Easy choice however I am not sure we are even looking at these type of players. Bomb Voyage, who tipped us off about a couple of signings said things are very quiet. If we are tight on the cap then I would be prioritizing 1/2 props/middles versus a winger!

Who though? Anyone still unsigned is more of the same or worse than what we currently have.

Better to keep two spots open and hope there’s some movement mid year next year, otherwise grab some journeymen on one year deals and have a proper crack at some higher quality players in ‘27.

 

[susan]

Ben is tuff.
Not agile enough, doesn't brush tacklers in broken play enough.

Needs to be stronger and faster.

Especially with slow props.

The fact this bloke is regarded as "one of our better performers " shows you the depths we have plummeted.

At Manly these days all it requires is to "put in". It's the same warped logic that has allowed Croker to play hooker for 5 years and totally **** up any chance for us to progress our style of play.

But he "tries hard". Not his fault ..,just the idiots who thought he was the answer for half a decade .

Ben is ordinary. Would not even be considered as an option in any top 4 side.

In an entire roster to have a second row rotation of Ola , Ben and Waddell is a crime against humanity. And guess what - that will be our backrow next year.Thst makes it impossible to play finals. Simple a that.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

Who though? Anyone still unsigned is more of the same or worse than what we currently have.

Better to keep two spots open and hope there’s some movement mid year next year, otherwise grab some journeymen on one year deals and have a proper crack at some higher quality players in ‘27.

Trey Mooney would be nice. Harrison Hassett, or pay a bit extra to get a Warriors edge.

 

[spider]

Seibold confirms young Manly duo on the verge of making first-grade debuts

They are two of the best young players coming through the club’s ranks.

www.zerotackle.com

Ok i like this but why not Willet and the young centre last name starts with K can't think of it at the moment. Let us see what there got.

 

[double hoops]

Some depth in the halves would not surprise.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Matterson has said his preference would be to stay in England if Parra release him. We are better of going for Shibasaki or Hassett

I like that Harrison edwards from the cowboys. Seems like a solid reliable middle. And young

 

[Frogz]

I know this will be an unpopular call, but I’d like to offer Ryan Matterson a two-year deal.

At his best he’s elite. He clearly didn’t get along with Ryles, but he was a major factor in Parramatta’s forward pack when they were having success.

Looking at the alternatives on the market, there isn’t much. I think he’d be a good buy for us; he’s a clear upgrade on Waddell in that middle/edge cover role.

Let’s be honest, at this point it’s basically him or Klemmer.

I’d say this with the caveat that we also invest heavily in a couple of gun 19/20-year-old forwards. Matterson can hold us over while they develop.

He has had his day. He brings some family baggage with him, wherever he goes. Leave him in England. Last thing we need is a 31+ has been.Is there no one in their 20's anymore?

 

[bob dylan]

Klemmer, Hunt and Bird are all a perfect fit for our recruitment team.

I'd imagine at least 2 of these will be in maroon and white next season.

 

[Nordburg]

He has had his day. He brings some family baggage with him, wherever he goes. Leave him in England. Last thing we need is a 31+ has been.Is there no one in their 20's anymore?

I think we’ve filled our quota for 31+ has beens

 

[Nordburg]

Klemmer, Hunt and Bird are all a perfect fit for our recruitment team.

I'd imagine at least 2 of these will be in maroon and white next season.

Don’t even joke about that.Unfortunately you’re probably not joking

 

[Nambawan]

Who though? Anyone still unsigned is more of the same or worse than what we currently have.

Better to keep two spots open and hope there’s some movement mid year next year, otherwise grab some journeymen on one year deals and have a proper crack at some higher quality players in ‘27.

Anyone see the Kaeo Weekes try last night? SPPED and SKILL. The Manly officials who let him go should hang their heads in shame (if not sacked!).

 

[Ohgeez]

Anyone see the Kaeo Weekes try last night? SPPED and SKILL. The Manly officials who let him go should hang their heads in shame (if not sacked!).

Did I miss something? That try was all due to Ethan Strange. Good job Weekes for backing up but I’d say most fullbacks would do that

 

[Brookie1973]

View attachment 31037

I bet not many on here would have predicted we would be top of the ladder at this stage of the season. Good times.

 

[Scorpio]

Anyone see the Kaeo Weekes try last night? SPPED and SKILL. The Manly officials who let him go should hang their heads in shame (if not sacked!).

He's a fullback and at the Raiders he was behind a soon-to-depart 34 year old Jordan Rapana (and next to a stacked forward pack). Here he was still behind Tom T with Lehi as a backup. He signed for the Raiders as a utility but it was a much shorter route to a starting fullback role.

 

[Disco]

Ben is ordinary. Would not even be considered as an option in any top 4 side.

Maybe...

I think we can overly hype and be overly harsh on some of our players.

Edge backrowers starting or on the bench this week or last for the top 4 as the ladder currently sits.

Joe Chan, Alec Mcdonald, Simi Sasagi, Harry Hayes, Billy Burns, Jess Colquhoun.

Now all opinions and obvs you can cherry pit as you please but I dont think Burbo would be out of place amongst that lineup.