2026 recruitment & retention

[eaglebuzz]

I like some of the moves we’re making. The coaching staff seem to genuinely recognise where our weaknesses are and are trying to improve them. Unfortunately we still have some glaring holes to fill.

I can’t see us winning a comp with Fogarty and Brooks in the halves. Solid first graders that can get us to the finals but I think that’s it.

So while I agree our middle forwards are an issue (less so with Moale and Hetherington coming plus Navale on the up) and that we lack a dominant left edge backrower, and our hooker could be better… even if we strengthened all those areas I still think it moves us from 10th to 5th. That’s about it.

For us to be in premiership contention, someone like Walsh or Large would need to turn into a superstar half quickly.

Just my opinion.

Yep I think this is probably right. The things I think would need to happen are:

• Walsh or Large (preferably both) realise their potential before the finals.
• Turbo finds at least 75% of what he is capable of and maintains it consistently
• A reasonably light injury toll to our forward pack.

Other bonuses would be:

• Simpkin goes up another gear
• Koula plays more of the roaming centre role ala Turbo in Origin. We saw glimpses of it this year...
• Burbo establishes himself as an elite second rower
• Siebold figures out how to use Jake effectively
• Hugo Hart forces his way into First Grade

 

[double hoops]

Yep I think this is probably right. The things I think would need to happen are:

• Walsh or Large (preferably both) realise their potential before the finals.
• Turbo finds at least 75% of what he is capable of and maintains it consistently
• A reasonably light injury toll to our forward pack.

Other bonuses would be:

• Simpkin goes up another gear
• Koula plays more of the roaming centre role ala Turbo in Origin. We saw glimpses of it this year...
• Burbo establishes himself as an elite second rower
• Siebold figures out how to use Jake effectively
• Hugo Hart forces his way into First Grade

Basic collective steps for this team.

A pack that play together, feared because they hunt and hurt.

Defence that works as one and doesn't leak like a siv.

Kick chase that sprint and in 1 line.

I bet every team has spew buckets this off season.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I bet every team has spew buckets this off season.

Given how much criticism Madge copped for flogging the Broncos only for it to pay off in string of come-from-behind victories, I think plenty of other clubs are going to re-evaluate their fitness regimes.

Hopefully Siebold and Clarke aren't too clever by half in that regard.

 

[rosco]

Doubt we go after Henry. I think we are confident on our props moving forward with Moale, Paseka, Laiafi and Bryan. I want a marquee back rower or hooker.

And Bullemore.

 

[TheEagle]

Has anyone seen this Paul Bryan play?

A lot seem to be anointing him as the next big thing in prop forwards but have not seen any evidence to support this optimism.

Would love to hear what I’ve missed.

He looks to be tough, played through a dislocated shoulder and runs the ball hard. Looks promising.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Has anyone seen this Paul Bryan play?

A lot seem to be anointing him as the next big thing in prop forwards but have not seen any evidence to support this optimism.

Would love to hear what I’ve missed.

When was he anointed? Who actually anointed him as "the next big thing"?

Maybe that all happened on another site @Blowfly ? Silvertrolls perhaps?

 

[Blowfly]

He looks to be tough, played through a dislocated shoulder and runs the ball hard. Looks promising.

Great. Thank you for a civil and respectful answer without a smartarse, keyboard warrior tone.

Hopefully Paul Bryan does turn out to be decent and fulfils the promise many have in him to already elevate him into our 17.

I’d like to see him earn his spot rather than be gifted the jumper straight away but I hope he is what we hope he is.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I’d like to see him earn his spot rather than be gifted the jumper straight away but I hope he is what we hope he is.

Doubt anyone's going to be gifted anything, as I think Manly's depth has been gradually improving the last couple of years.
Although admittedly the final makeup of next years top 30 remains a mystery.

But it looks like we'll at the very least have Paseka, Bull, Jake, Waddell, Navale, Hetherington, Brown and possibly TKO and/or Lodge who would all be ahead of Bryan as middle forwards at this stage.
So if he makes it... he has impressed during preseason!

 

[double hoops]

Bunty Afoa joins Wests Tigers.

I wonder if that is instead of Nathan Brown?

 

[Sheikheagle]

Up at Burleigh on holidays and bumped into Seibs this morning having coffee with a couple of old farts like me. So he is obviously recruiting some new forwards.😂 But seriously he is really excited about the year ahead and was rapt to see someone walking around the goldy in a Manly members hat. Like a lot of us i have reservations about his coaching ability and this year will be sink or swim. But its hard not to like the bloke really friendly.

 

[Nordburg]

Up at Burleigh on holidays and bumped into Seibs this morning having coffee with a couple of old farts like me. So he is obviously recruiting some new forwards.😂 But seriously he is really excited about the year ahead and was rapt to see someone walking around the goldy in a Manly members hat. Like a lot of us i have reservations about his coaching ability and this year will be sink or swim. But its hard not to like the bloke really friendly.

Did he give you any idea of how his horse Blitzum will go at the Gold Coast tomorrow?

 

[Carl]

Yep I think this is probably right. The things I think would need to happen are:

• Walsh or Large (preferably both) realise their potential before the finals.
• Turbo finds at least 75% of what he is capable of and maintains it consistently
• A reasonably light injury toll to our forward pack.

Other bonuses would be:

• Simpkin goes up another gear
• Koula plays more of the roaming centre role ala Turbo in Origin. We saw glimpses of it this year...
• Burbo establishes himself as an elite second rower
• Siebold figures out how to use Jake effectively
• Hugo Hart forces his way into First Grade

So burbo and hart in the second row. I pity the reserve graders playing opposite Olakau’atu.

 

[Sheikheagle]

Did he give you any idea of how his horse Blitzum will go at the Gold Coast tomorrow?

Didnt know he had one. Must be why he is up here. I wont back it, i could bring winx down. 🤣

 

[Rafferty]

Didnt know he had one. Must be why he is up here. I wont back it, i could bring winx down. 🤣

Just had a gander myself, thinking if his up there maybe that’s why, 4 yo nag with 10 starts for 1 win and a couple of thirds, his had some early support, could be set for a sting, yer nah, I’ll pass.

 

[The Wheel]

Up at Burleigh on holidays and bumped into Seibs this morning having coffee with a couple of old farts like me. So he is obviously recruiting some new forwards.😂 But seriously he is really excited about the year ahead and was rapt to see someone walking around the goldy in a Manly members hat. Like a lot of us i have reservations about his coaching ability and this year will be sink or swim. But its hard not to like the bloke really friendly.

Surely you asked about Jack Bird, re signing Turbos, are TKO/Lodge back, what’s happening with Froggy, is Zaidus still with us, have we signed ZDC, Moale will be here in 2026???

Hope you got our Top 30 list while you were grilling Siebs as well?

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

Surely you asked about Jack Bird, re signing Turbos, are TKO/Lodge back, what’s happening with Froggy, is Zaidus still with us, have we signed ZDC, Moale will be here in 2026???

Hope you got our Top 30 list while you were grilling Siebs as well?

Should also ask about the coaching team for 2026 and also ask the club to give the fans more info about injuries

 

[The Wheel]

Should also ask about the coaching team for 2026 and also ask the club to give the fans more info about injuries

Good point - forgot about that

 

[ManlyTragic]

Just had a gander myself, thinking if his up there maybe that’s why, 4 yo nag with 10 starts for 1 win and a couple of thirds, his had some early support, could be set for a sting, yer nah, I’ll pass.

.. is Seibs training it?

Just sayin’

 

[Disco]

Great. Thank you for a civil and respectful answer without a smartarse, keyboard warrior tone.

Hopefully Paul Bryan does turn out to be decent and fulfils the promise many have in him to already elevate him into our 17.

I’d like to see him earn his spot rather than be gifted the jumper straight away but I hope he is what we hope he is.

Oh c'mon, we cant have a little bit of banter?

Tbf I've not seen anyone with him in their 17 either but not doubting you if you seen some posting us such.

 

[The '47ers]

Just had a gander myself, thinking if his up there maybe that’s why, 4 yo nag with 10 starts for 1 win and a couple of thirds, his had some early support, could be set for a sting, yer nah, I’ll pass.

It'll end up Loi Hoosi for sure