Ashton Large

[Phobia]

His brother already has a thread, so I thought I'd make this one to mask over a pretty bad week for first grade, and give some good news for the future.

Ashton Large, who is 16 (maybe? Said to be a year younger than Onitoni, and was definitely 14 in Sep 2023), is bloody looking good coming through.

Here's his highlights from Harold Matt's this year at hooker, only junior representative team to make the finals. Funnily enough, the Magpies team he was a part of last year, was also the only Tigpies team to make the finals too. I think he's got a bright future.

 

[Thewestisbest]

He reminds me of Manase in many ways. Definitely looks the goods. Now we need to find a coach to bring these young guys through.

 

[Ohgeez]

I watched most weeks of Harold Matt’s & think he has the potential to be 1 of the best players in the comp. Great runner near the line but also more importantly hits very hard in defence, he is a rare player that will play 1st grade at 18. I don’t think there will be a fear of rushing him in too early as he’s been playing up against older age groups for years & handling the physicality. Thanks for sharing the highlights, great watch

 

[Darren]

Wow, very Manese like but looks so good!!! Great signing and we need to focus on getting these top kids.

 

[Carl]

Wow, that's a lot of highlights.

Good run from dummy half, good offload, good defence.

The thing that doesn't make a highlight reel is the standard dummy half pass off the ground to someone running onto the ball. Does anyone know how he goes with that?

 

[manlyfan76]

He will get a 5/8 job and 5/8 $$$

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

There have been some big calls based on highlight reels over the years, but he really does look great. Strong defence to go with the flashy attack, incredible acceleration, and seems to have an instinctive understanding of the dummy half role. We could definitely use someone like that in the NRL team sooner rather than later. Very interested to see how he and his brother progress.

 

[globaleagle]

Saw more runs from dummy half in that 3 mins than Manly first grade in 7 years.

 

[manlyfan76]

Saw more runs from dummy half in that 3 mins than Manly first grade in 7 years.

Surely he will be a running 5/8.
A better version of brown.

 

[Bloke on the hill]

Looks like a real talent. Hope he enjoys a great career (& hopefully stays at Manly!)

 

[Sheikheagle]

How long were the big fellas signed for?

 

[Rocky]

This year has turned badly but with these kids coming through, I still think we are set up really well for 2027 and beyond.

 

[Phobia]

How long were the big fellas signed for?

No info as of yet, but apparently "long-term", from one of the articles about them a a while back.

He reminds me of Manase in many ways. Definitely looks the goods. Now we need to find a coach to bring these young guys through.

Say what you want about Seibold, he's bloody good at getting great talent through. Take a look at the list of players that debuted/established themselves in first grade under him, such as Haas, Carrigan, Staggs, Farnworth, Dearden, now Hopoate, and many more. I think getting players into first grade is one of his strengths, if anything.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Welcome to NRL 2025 ...

Hey if your club looks a bit like an also-ran don't worry, don't worry, there's a few talented teenagers you can follow closely for the next 2 or 3 years and who knows ... one may even end up staying at your club and becoming a good player!

Meanwhile there is so much more interest in 'other games' now!
Hey this game has a few players that I used to cheer for when they were at Manly, wonder how they're going now?
And this other game has a player who (might) be joining Manly next year, wonder how they are going?
and this other game has some stars that were publicly linked to Manly (even though everyone knows they'll never come)(!)... I wonder how good they are?

Plenty of interest for all (unless you are only obsessed with wanting your team to win!) (like me)

 

[smithy]

Welcome to NRL 2025 ...

Hey if your club looks a bit like an also-ran don't worry, don't worry, there's a few talented teenagers you can follow closely for the next 2 or 3 years and who knows ... one may even end up staying at your club and becoming a good player!

Meanwhile there is so much more interest in 'other games' now!
Hey this game has a few players that I used to cheer for when they were at Manly, wonder how they're going now?
And this other game has a player who (might) be joining Manly next year, wonder how they are going?
and this other game has some stars that were publicly linked to Manly (even though everyone knows they'll never come)(!)... I wonder how good they are?

Plenty of interest for all (unless you are only obsessed with wanting your team to win!) (like me)

Do they have to be mutually exclusive?

Can you not be obsessed with winning now and potentially in the future also? Because planning ahead and signing these talented juniors is how the latter happens.

Essentially, there will be 16 teams' supporters barracking for also-rans at some point in the season.

Might as well take the positives.

 

[Rocky]

Welcome to NRL 2025 ...

Hey if your club looks a bit like an also-ran don't worry, don't worry, there's a few talented teenagers you can follow closely for the next 2 or 3 years and who knows ... one may even end up staying at your club and becoming a good player!

Meanwhile there is so much more interest in 'other games' now!
Hey this game has a few players that I used to cheer for when they were at Manly, wonder how they're going now?
And this other game has a player who (might) be joining Manly next year, wonder how they are going?
and this other game has some stars that were publicly linked to Manly (even though everyone knows they'll never come)(!)... I wonder how good they are?

Plenty of interest for all (unless you are only obsessed with wanting your team to win!) (like me)

If you can't sell success you need to sell hope?

 

[Jimmie]

Looks like a keeper….hopefully Large brothers and Walsh aren’t to far off.Eadie and Ettinghausen I think made their first grade debuts at around 17 years of age .So if your good enough you’ll get a start at 19 years of age given the new NRL rules in regards to age unless your the chickens of course.

 

[Tragic Eagle]

He looks the goods.