2026 recruitment & retention

Six forwards out and still we beat STG and the Phins. Yes, we need good, mobile forwards but for me our backs are among the best in the comp. It's easy to bleat about what we have but OK, realistically, who should Manly target to get the forward pack up to scratch?

Really looking forward to seeing Joey Walsh run out, even if he only gets 10 mins or so. Jamal Fogarty is 31 and Brooks is 30. Also keeping Hugo Hart on contract is great. Talau off contract this year - I think his utility value makes him a keeper. I have concerns with Lachlan Croker - I see him as a key forward (a dummy-half who can kick 40/20s - geez!) but concussion issues a worry. Life's bigger than footy. No, really, it is. 😀
 
Our roster actually looks pretty balanced for next year, if your just look at who is locked in. Up to 8 spots to fill. Expect a couple more might stay. But equally a few more could go. Generally we don't have that type of numbers to work with at this time of the year.

The development of the kids. U can see the progress through to top 30, under Seibs I reckon it's a bit more structured. I see Hart enters the top 30 in 27. Nice.

So many spots available does creates opportunity,

Is there the ability for a coach to reshape our squad in a significant way. Via spots absolutely. Do we have the $$$$. Clear as mud.

Cherry pick quality players across our weak areas, it' can look pretty. Or if u want to change playing style. Different players to fit. This year. We sure can.

But go and add 8 useless gumbys.......and.

Squad could be rebuilding for a long long time. Especially when U consider Norths and then PNG will only further impact talent for further years to come. Rugby 360 could impact at the marquee and outstanding junior level.

This year's Recruitment and getting pieces we need, but adding great talent for the future in below as well, This year it's more important than ever.
 
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If that nonce knocks us back, just means the good ones won’t even look at us whilst Seislug is around.
More quality leaving than coming in. Spoon bound is the harsh reality of this news
 
silver said:
If that nonce knocks us back, just means the good ones won’t even look at us whilst Seislug is around.
More quality leaving than coming in. Spoon bound is the harsh reality of this news
Click to expand...
Ridiculous overreaction, and unfortunately I think this opinion is quite common.

We have a good crop of recruited and developed juniors, just about ready to make their NRL debuts next year. We are largely losing a few fringe players, and we're replacing them with this younger lot. Our biggest loss is DCE, who's had a shockingly bad year, and we're replacing him with the likely Dally M halfback of the year, who may be coming off a premiership.

We still have players of incredible talent in Turbo, Haumole, Hoppa, etc.

The return of Paseka next year will feel like signing a brand new A-class front rower. This year has affirmed to me how underrated he is. It may not make much sense, but his presence created most of the space for us out wide.

Anyway, for the sake of comparison, let's see who our replacements are this coming off-season. NRL squad only.

Upgrades:

DCE -> Fogarty. Upgrade, based on 2025 form. DCE's had a shocker.

Josh Aloiai -> Kobe Hetherington (likely). I don't mind Aloiai, but Kobe is more versatile, younger, and is more reliable. Upgrade.

Jazz Tevaga -> Caleb Navale. Long term upgrade.

GCKT -> Zaidas Muagututia. Long term upgrade. We really need Muagututia to develop well.

Jake Arthur -> Walsh. Upgrade.

Schoupp -> Blake Wilson. Wilson has a higher ceiling, played more NRL in recent years than Schoupp. Upgrade.

Aitasi James -> Laiafi. Long term upgrade.

Ray Vaega -> Nav Willett. Long term upgrade.

Matterson and MCK's roster spots will likely be replaced by Pua'avase and Hart, due to the June 30 Top 30 deadline. Also upgrades.

Sidegrades:
Toff Sipley -> Matt Lodge.

Downgrades:
Croker -> No one.

This is our biggest problem IMO. Missing out on Turpin isn't bad, but there is basically no one else out there.

So in total, about 10 upgrades on current roster positions, one sidegrade, and someone who hasn't been replaced yet. I don't see how we can suddenly become a spoon team, without a really poor injury year. On paper, we are better IMO.
 
Phobia said:
Ridiculous overreaction, and unfortunately I think this opinion is quite common.

We have a good crop of recruited and developed juniors, just about ready to make their NRL debuts next year. We are largely losing a few fringe players, and we're replacing them with this younger lot. Our biggest loss is DCE, who's had a shockingly bad year, and we're replacing him with the likely Dally M halfback of the year, who may be coming off a premiership.

We still have players of incredible talent in Turbo, Haumole, Hoppa, etc.

The return of Paseka next year will feel like signing a brand new A-class front rower. This year has affirmed to me how underrated he is. It may not make much sense, but his presence created most of the space for us out wide.

Anyway, for the sake of comparison, let's see who our replacements are this coming off-season. NRL squad only.

Upgrades:

DCE -> Fogarty. Upgrade, based on 2025 form. DCE's had a shocker.

Josh Aloiai -> Kobe Hetherington (likely). I don't mind Aloiai, but Kobe is more versatile, younger, and is more reliable. Upgrade.

Jazz Tevaga -> Caleb Navale. Long term upgrade.

GCKT -> Zaidas Muagututia. Long term upgrade. We really need Muagututia to develop well.

Jake Arthur -> Walsh. Upgrade.

Schoupp -> Blake Wilson. Wilson has a higher ceiling, played more NRL in recent years than Schoupp. Upgrade.

Aitasi James -> Laiafi. Long term upgrade.

Ray Vaega -> Nav Willett. Long term upgrade.

Matterson and MCK's roster spots will likely be replaced by Pua'avase and Hart, due to the June 30 Top 30 deadline. Also upgrades.

Sidegrades:
Toff Sipley -> Matt Lodge.

Downgrades:
Croker -> No one.

This is our biggest problem IMO. Missing out on Turpin isn't bad, but there is basically no one else out there.

So in total, about 10 upgrades on current roster positions, one sidegrade, and someone who hasn't been replaced yet. I don't see how we can suddenly become a spoon team, without a really poor injury year. On paper, we are better IMO.
Click to expand...
There is two issues with this though,Turpin knocked back a two year deal to stay at the Dogs for one.Now he maybe backing himself to get longer and more $$ at the Dogs or elsewhere but the other issue is that the recruitment crew at Manly actually thought he’d be a good buy.And anyone coming back with “he’s just depth signing” well we all know that depth signings end up being regular first graders at Manly
 
I don't know how serious our enquiries were re Turpin. Maybe we made an offer, maybe it was an expression of interest, maybe it was a T&T discussion. And while I could never understand the attraction in Turpin, if he did in fact knock us back then that is a concern regardless of what you think of his ability. We now have NSW Cup level players knocking us back. As some posters have alluded to it looks like we won't be making any significant roster changes for next year.
 
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