2026 recruitment & retention

[Eagles4Life]

Haven’t we signed Josh Feledy also

Train and trial spot.

 

[Stewbojevic]

Manly team 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. Siua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Caleb Navale
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Nathan Brown
18. Matt Lodge
19. Corey Waddell
20. Blake Wilson
21. Joey Walsh
22. Zach Dockar-Clay
23. Clayton Faulalo
24. Navren Willett
25. Zaidas Muagututia
26. Simione Laiafi
27. Paul Bryan
28. Onitoni Large
29. Aaron Schoupp?

Development:

1. D’Jazirhae Pua'avase
2. Hugo Hart

Departing:

1. Toff Sipley
2. Jazz Tevaga
3. Josh Aloiai
4. Lachlan Croker
5. Daly Cherry Evans
6. Ray Vaega
7. Jake Arthur
8. Aitasi James
9. Dean Matterson
10. Gordan Chan Kum Tong
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Tommy Talau

Didn’t know exactly which thread to post this in, but this is the most updated/recent list I’ve put together of our squad for next year, including the players leaving at the end of this season.

I’ve tried to make the team as realistic as possible to what I think Seibold will select for Round 1 in 2026, not just based on my personal opinions.

The only real uncertainty I’ve got is around Schoupp — not sure if he’s signed on as top 30, development, or train-and-trial. I’ve also assumed Croker will be departing, either via medical retirement or general retirement depending on the review of his concussion issues.

Let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong or missed someone.

There are a lot of unknowns in this squad… but at least it’s looking younger

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

I would think with Aloiai’s departure we could afford an additional premium forward in addition to Hetherington.

You'd think so, but Penn might be thinking of buying 6 Matt Lodges.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

Nothing wound surprise me anymore with this mob.

 

[Wombat64]

He’s just the sort of player we should target , not ridiculously expensive , may become a decent player , not an over 30 and plodder.

You know you'll miss the plodders when they're gone .....

 

[manlyfan76]

You know you'll miss the plodders when they're gone .....

Fluffy is an over 30 plodder with poor form and z ero impact.
I won't miss him.

 

[madmax]

You'd think so, but Penn might be thinking of buying 6 Matt Lodges.

FMD how many brothers does Lodge have???

 

[manlyfan76]

FMD how many brothers does Lodge have???

6

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Agree but Josh was on the most after DCE at $500k. We should be able to afford a decent front rower to replace him.

We may have spent that on Hetherington

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You know you'll miss the plodders when they're gone .....

Every side has a few average players , that’s part of the salary cap ( except for the Rorters who have the Salary Cap plus unlimited extras to afford 2 first grade teams).

And I guess I’m a champion for underdogs.

Would I prefer a bunch of young up and comers , absolutely but I get the concept of a few older experienced players to fill in as backups if needed.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

FMD how many brothers does Lodge have???

The more the merrier.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Nope 2 year deal lol

Should have given him a 5 year deal. He will have peaked by the end of his contract, if the "Manly way" is the benchmark.

 

[aidan]

Another player I’d be looking at for next year is Ativalu Lisati from Melbourne. He’s a 24-year-old second rower — tough, hard working, very mobile. Not sure how many of you watched last night’s game, but I saw a couple really nice things from him that I liked. He scored a really solid tackle-busting try running a sharp line off Munster down the short side, and also competed hard on a grubber close to the line that forced a drop out.

Lisati was born in NZ and originally came through Penrith before Melbourne picked him up midway through last year. He’s played 12 games this season, mostly off the bench. I think he’d be the perfect “cheapie” for us — still young, plenty of upside, and the ideal modern-day forward build with the ability to play both edge and middle. That versatility is exactly what our squad needs, and he’d give some healthy competition to Ben as well.

He’s off contract at the end of this year and is currently Melbourne’s 4th-string backrower, behind Katoa, Blore and Chan. If we could land him and someone like Harrison Hassett from Penrith, our squad would look much more balanced heading into next season, with some added youth and depth.

 

[The Wheel]

Another player I’d be looking at for next year is Ativalu Lisati from Melbourne. He’s a 24-year-old second rower — tough, hard working, very mobile. Not sure how many of you watched last night’s game, but I saw a couple really nice things from like that I liked. He scored a really solid tackle-busting try running a sharp line off Munster down the short side, and also competed hard on a grubber close to the line that forced a drop out.

Lisati was born in NZ and originally came through Penrith before Melbourne picked him up midway through last year. He’s played 12 games this season, mostly off the bench. I think he’d be the perfect “cheapie” for us — still young, plenty of upside, and the ideal modern-day forward build with the ability to play both edge and middle. That versatility is exactly what our squad needs, and he’d give some healthy competition to Ben as well.

He’s off contract at the end of this year and is currently Melbourne’s 4th-string backrower, behind Katoa, Blore and Chan. If we could land him and someone like Harrison Hassett from Penrith, our squad would look much more balanced heading into next season, with some added youth and depth.

Any chance you can be our recruitment manager? That’s exactly what we need

 

[The Who]

The Storm have been in the finals for the past 15 years. How? Why?
Putting aside their revenue base and 'financial cunning', the common denominator is Bellache, the training methods and their recruitment. He is able to identify unrealised talent and bring them through the grades. He also is skilled at taking average players from other clubs and improving them.
The Storm's success is not solely about their roster, which changes like those of other clubs, it's about a system.
We used to have this when Arko was in charge. We need a complete re-set to remain competitive against fully professionally-run clubs.

 

[Cochrane]

I agree, he always seems to ensure he has a solid spine. Sure he's had Inglis and a few other stars at times, but take Grant, Hughes, Munster and Paps out of the side, im not sure the the other players who were brought through or average players from other clubs would do as well as they are. He has an incredible system in place.

Culture, ethics, recruitment, training, game plans.... the lot!

 

[eaglebuzz]

Melbourne have depth players that would be starters at most other NRL clubs. I strongly suspect that they have mechanisms in place for paying players that aren't exactly in the spirit of the salary cap.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Melbourne have depth players that would be starters at most other NRL clubs. I strongly suspect that they have mechanisms in place for paying players that aren't exactly in the spirit of the salary cap.

Of course they do. They always have.

 

[mave]

Of course they do. They always have.

They even got caught doing it once.

 

[ManlyTragic]

FMD how many brothers does Lodge have???

….any sisters?

Just askin’