CLEAN OUT + WISH LIST

[lillchip]

If we are going to be back as a serious PREMIERSHIP contender we need to make several big call changes, and make at least 3-4 astute purchases, including at least one mega star forward.

This is my CLEAN OUT + WISH LIST.

Obviously these are my opinions only

ALREADY GONE:
Cherry-Evans - how stupid he didn't take one more year and go out a one club legend, but there's obv deep politics
Sipley - great servant, wish him well
Tevaga - terrific job, pity only a year
Aloiai - for mine never really up to it, and culturally question marks
Talau - can't understand letting him go only to buy Wilson
Chee Kam - sadly wasn't up to first grade
Schoupp - ditto CK

CLEAN OUT:
Tom Turbo - love him to death, but he's just not getting any better or less injured, let him go to UK, get a huge $1m back
Jake Turbo - love him even more, but the modern 6 again game has passed him by, UK or retire, get a hugr 900k back
Ben Turbo - also loved, but truth is not a first grader at almost any other club, let him go with Tom to UK
Brooks - did a good job, but he's never gonna win us a comp, time to move on and free up the 6 for Walsh
Waddell - just not first grade standard, now or ever
Brown - did a good job, but also wouldn't be in first grade at most other clubs, time to move on
Croker - been an absolute warrior, but truth is hasn't figured for 2 seasons now, time to move on or medically retire

COMING:
Kobe Hetherington - immediate swap for Burbo
Blake Wilson - completely mysterious signing, what does it say to talented Faulalo waiting behind Saab, Garrick, Hoppa?

WISH LIST:
Payne Haas - remember when we used to buy Gillespie, Carroll, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite etc - just pay him Tom and Jake salary
Davvy Moale - close to signed, a 22 year old big prop is exactly what we need, and imagine what he'd learn from Haas
Owen Pattie - huge talent but now in a 3 way queue at Canberra with Starling and incoming Jayden Brailey
Tui Kamikamica - off contract, just get him
Nelson Asofa-Solomona - teach him to aim a bit lower, and he could be our new Ian Roberts or better

SALARIES ALREADY LEAVING: 7
SALARIES TO CLEAN OUT: 7
TOTAL: 14

SALARIES ALREADY COMING IN: 3
SALARIES ON WISH LIST: 5
TOTAL: 8

That would save 6 salaries, including 2m alone for Turbo bros, that's enough to buy Haas and back ups listed.

To those saying we'd never get Haas, many thought we'd never get Carroll, Gillespie, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite, Ridge, O'Connor, Jamie Lyon, etc etc etc, but we DID, and they won us premierships.

And to those saying he wouldn't leave Bris, tell that to Parra with Lomax about to bail. Players move fast when the $ are in front of them.

DREAM TEAM 2026:
1. Hopoate - give him the reins
2. Saab - sure needs hands and defence improvements, but that raw speed is irreplaceable
3. Koula - either centre or fullback
4. Faulalo - way too good for reserve grade, it's time to let him own centre
5. Garrick - average centre, but great finishing winger
6. Walsh - let him learn from Fogarty - he can handle it (and he's already bigger than guys like Jayden Campbell)
7. Fogarty - not DCE but a very handy substitute
8. Paseka - welcome back
9. Pattie - we need a new gun dummy half and now (and could be better than Da Silva who we missed out on)
10. Haas - would completely turn the club around AND attract other names, remember we once got names this big
11. Olakau-atu - could be best player in comp if injury free
12. Hetherington - GF win won't hurt
13. Navale - it's time

14. Simpkin - great 30 min back up 9
15. Kamikamica - could be an absolute bargain brute for us
16. Osafa-Solomona - teach him to tackle lower and imagine the damage he could do
17. Bullemor - we all love him, but use him as bench injection not a starting prop

18. Moale - back up prop, first picked on bench
19. Laiafi - emerging prop talent
20. Hart - emerging edge forward talent
21. Maugututia - emerging dummy half talent
22. Wilson - replaces Talau (for reasons unknown) but solid back up wing/centre
23. Willett - emerging winger

LET'S DO IT.

 

[manlyfan76]

Brave post.
I like a lot of it.


Attacks incoming in 3,2,1

 

[Ohgeez]

Should take a serious look at Owen Pattie like you’ve mentioned + Sam Healey that are both behind quality 9s.

Jake Simpkin is a solid player but we will need some extra spark around the middle IMO with Fogarty mainly a game manager. Ashton Large will be a gun but is still a few years away & could easily end up in Rugby.

 

[Rocky]

I love the passion and time you have spent on this post @lillchip

One thing i would say there is probably no point doing a clean out in 2026 with
Tom and Jake leaving. There is no ways they are leaving around $2.3m on the table collectively. 2027 is a different matter.

Speaking of Turbos I still don't understand why many are so low on Ben. What I saw in 2026 was a guy who was a legitimately decent NRL player, who still has improvement in him. I would personally keep him as a starter and try and spend the money it would take to upgrade his spot into buying better props and a hooker.

 

[Jay Eagle]

Some really good calls there

But... here's reality...
for me Turbo will be around for at least another 2 years min and Jake another season
Jake should be off the bench at prop rotation.
I can't see the club letting them go or Ben.
I also think TKO will get another year and really he should.
Brooks hasn't set the world on fire but has a dig and can play..at what he's being paid and for his experience I can't see the club moving him on.
Agree with Waddell, Croker and sadly Brown or Lodge
I think we should keep one of them and i think Lodge is better choice overall.
A hooker and a gun Front rower is what we do need and we need one in 26 not 28

Just my opinion

 

[Disco]

This is not feasible for 2026, different story for 2027 though disagree on both some of the incomings and outgoings.

I agree on seeing how happy Pattie is with his situation. Would be a great get.

 

[C_Eagle31]

If we are going to be back as a serious PREMIERSHIP contender we need to make several big call changes, and make at least 3-4 astute purchases, including at least one mega star forward.

This is my CLEAN OUT + WISH LIST.

Obviously these are my opinions only

ALREADY GONE:
Cherry-Evans - how stupid he didn't take one more year and go out a one club legend, but there's obv deep politics
Sipley - great servant, wish him well
Tevaga - terrific job, pity only a year
Aloiai - for mine never really up to it, and culturally question marks
Talau - can't understand letting him go only to buy Wilson
Chee Kam - sadly wasn't up to first grade
Schoupp - ditto CK

CLEAN OUT:
Tom Turbo - love him to death, but he's just not getting any better or less injured, let him go to UK, get a huge $1m back
Jake Turbo - love him even more, but the modern 6 again game has passed him by, UK or retire, get a hugr 900k back
Ben Turbo - also loved, but truth is not a first grader at almost any other club, let him go with Tom to UK
Brooks - did a good job, but he's never gonna win us a comp, time to move on and free up the 6 for Walsh
Waddell - just not first grade standard, now or ever
Brown - did a good job, but also wouldn't be in first grade at most other clubs, time to move on
Croker - been an absolute warrior, but truth is hasn't figured for 2 seasons now, time to move on or medically retire

COMING:
Kobe Hetherington - immediate swap for Burbo
Blake Wilson - completely mysterious signing, what does it say to talented Faulalo waiting behind Saab, Garrick, Hoppa?

WISH LIST:
Payne Haas - remember when we used to buy Gillespie, Carroll, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite etc - just pay him Tom and Jake salary
Davvy Moale - close to signed, a 22 year old big prop is exactly what we need, and imagine what he'd learn from Haas
Owen Pattie - huge talent but now in a 3 way queue at Canberra with Starling and incoming Jayden Brailey
Tui Kamikamica - off contract, just get him
Nelson Asofa-Solomona - teach him to aim a bit lower, and he could be our new Ian Roberts or better

SALARIES ALREADY LEAVING: 7
SALARIES TO CLEAN OUT: 7
TOTAL: 14

SALARIES ALREADY COMING IN: 3
SALARIES ON WISH LIST: 5
TOTAL: 8

That would save 6 salaries, including 2m alone for Turbo bros, that's enough to buy Haas and back ups listed.

To those saying we'd never get Haas, many thought we'd never get Carroll, Gillespie, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite, Ridge, O'Connor, Jamie Lyon, etc etc etc, but we DID, and they won us premierships.

And to those saying he wouldn't leave Bris, tell that to Parra with Lomax about to bail. Players move fast when the $ are in front of them.

DREAM TEAM 2026:
1. Hopoate - give him the reins
2. Saab - sure needs hands and defence improvements, but that raw speed is irreplaceable
3. Koula - either centre or fullback
4. Faulalo - way too good for reserve grade, it's time to let him own centre
5. Garrick - average centre, but great finishing winger
6. Walsh - let him learn from Fogarty - he can handle it (and he's already bigger than guys like Jayden Campbell)
7. Fogarty - not DCE but a very handy substitute
8. Paseka - welcome back
9. Pattie - we need a new gun dummy half and now (and could be better than Da Silva who we missed out on)
10. Haas - would completely turn the club around AND attract other names, remember we once got names this big
11. Olakau-atu - could be best player in comp if injury free
12. Hetherington - GF win won't hurt
13. Navale - it's time

14. Simpkin - great 30 min back up 9
15. Kamikamica - could be an absolute bargain brute for us
16. Osafa-Solomona - teach him to tackle lower and imagine the damage he could do
17. Bullemor - we all love him, but use him as bench injection not a starting prop

18. Moale - back up prop, first picked on bench
19. Laiafi - emerging prop talent
20. Hart - emerging edge forward talent
21. Maugututia - emerging dummy half talent
22. Wilson - replaces Talau (for reasons unknown) but solid back up wing/centre
23. Willett - emerging winger

LET'S DO IT.

Agree with most except Saab; Seibold is not the coach to unlock his potential.

 

[bob dylan]

Good post, even though I totally disagree with 90% of it. I am not going to pick it to bits, but a couple of points.

Schopp has re-signed.

NAS - I think is about to go rebel rugby.

Haas probably not would think about playing for Manly when the rugby offer is $AUD2.3mil. But I agree we should make a big play. He could change our club or any club.

Lets chase a big name coach too. I keep saying Cleary or Robbo. but others dont like it on here.

The comment "to those saying we'd never get Haas, many thought we'd never get Carroll, Gillespie, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite, Ridge, O'Connor, Jamie Lyon, etc etc etc, but we DID, and they won us premierships" is not accurate. Manly always signed the best players on the market, even Zinzan Brook was ready to sign if you remember correctly we rarely missed our man. On top of those you mentioned Orford, Josh Perry, Steve Bell, Craig Innes and plenty of others. These days no one really wants to play with an under achieving club, and that is Manly.

 

[Eagle 1]

Speaking of clean outs, over on the Storm forum. The consensus is, 2 losing GF's in a row is all to much for them. Only Grant, Hughes and Munster are spared..lol.

 

[C_Eagle31]

Speaking of clean outs, over on the Storm forum. The consensus is, 2 losing GF's in a row is all to much for them. Only Grant, Hughes and Munster are spared..lol.

They are so entitled. It's hilarious watching them lose two GF's in a row.

 

[Brookie1973]

Speaking of clean outs, over on the Storm forum. The consensus is, 2 losing GF's in a row is all to much for them. Only Grant, Hughes and Munster are spared..lol.

What about Papps? Must say, surprised no one has commented on him apparently not putting his body on the line to stop the game winning try. Could easily have stopped him from getting the ball down (at least that’s what it looked like from the camera angle).

 

[Phobia]

If we are going to be back as a serious PREMIERSHIP contender we need to make several big call changes, and make at least 3-4 astute purchases, including at least one mega star forward.

This is my CLEAN OUT + WISH LIST.

Obviously these are my opinions only

ALREADY GONE:
Cherry-Evans - how stupid he didn't take one more year and go out a one club legend, but there's obv deep politics
Sipley - great servant, wish him well
Tevaga - terrific job, pity only a year
Aloiai - for mine never really up to it, and culturally question marks
Talau - can't understand letting him go only to buy Wilson
Chee Kam - sadly wasn't up to first grade
Schoupp - ditto CK

CLEAN OUT:
Tom Turbo - love him to death, but he's just not getting any better or less injured, let him go to UK, get a huge $1m back
Jake Turbo - love him even more, but the modern 6 again game has passed him by, UK or retire, get a hugr 900k back
Ben Turbo - also loved, but truth is not a first grader at almost any other club, let him go with Tom to UK
Brooks - did a good job, but he's never gonna win us a comp, time to move on and free up the 6 for Walsh
Waddell - just not first grade standard, now or ever
Brown - did a good job, but also wouldn't be in first grade at most other clubs, time to move on
Croker - been an absolute warrior, but truth is hasn't figured for 2 seasons now, time to move on or medically retire

COMING:
Kobe Hetherington - immediate swap for Burbo
Blake Wilson - completely mysterious signing, what does it say to talented Faulalo waiting behind Saab, Garrick, Hoppa?

WISH LIST:
Payne Haas - remember when we used to buy Gillespie, Carroll, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite etc - just pay him Tom and Jake salary
Davvy Moale - close to signed, a 22 year old big prop is exactly what we need, and imagine what he'd learn from Haas
Owen Pattie - huge talent but now in a 3 way queue at Canberra with Starling and incoming Jayden Brailey
Tui Kamikamica - off contract, just get him
Nelson Asofa-Solomona - teach him to aim a bit lower, and he could be our new Ian Roberts or better

SALARIES ALREADY LEAVING: 7
SALARIES TO CLEAN OUT: 7
TOTAL: 14

SALARIES ALREADY COMING IN: 3
SALARIES ON WISH LIST: 5
TOTAL: 8

That would save 6 salaries, including 2m alone for Turbo bros, that's enough to buy Haas and back ups listed.

To those saying we'd never get Haas, many thought we'd never get Carroll, Gillespie, Roberts, Kennedy, Kite, Ridge, O'Connor, Jamie Lyon, etc etc etc, but we DID, and they won us premierships.

And to those saying he wouldn't leave Bris, tell that to Parra with Lomax about to bail. Players move fast when the $ are in front of them.

DREAM TEAM 2026:
1. Hopoate - give him the reins
2. Saab - sure needs hands and defence improvements, but that raw speed is irreplaceable
3. Koula - either centre or fullback
4. Faulalo - way too good for reserve grade, it's time to let him own centre
5. Garrick - average centre, but great finishing winger
6. Walsh - let him learn from Fogarty - he can handle it (and he's already bigger than guys like Jayden Campbell)
7. Fogarty - not DCE but a very handy substitute
8. Paseka - welcome back
9. Pattie - we need a new gun dummy half and now (and could be better than Da Silva who we missed out on)
10. Haas - would completely turn the club around AND attract other names, remember we once got names this big
11. Olakau-atu - could be best player in comp if injury free
12. Hetherington - GF win won't hurt
13. Navale - it's time

14. Simpkin - great 30 min back up 9
15. Kamikamica - could be an absolute bargain brute for us
16. Osafa-Solomona - teach him to tackle lower and imagine the damage he could do
17. Bullemor - we all love him, but use him as bench injection not a starting prop

18. Moale - back up prop, first picked on bench
19. Laiafi - emerging prop talent
20. Hart - emerging edge forward talent
21. Maugututia - emerging dummy half talent
22. Wilson - replaces Talau (for reasons unknown) but solid back up wing/centre
23. Willett - emerging winger

LET'S DO IT.

I have some strong disagreements here.

The first, and most important, is we cannot let the Turbos leave, much less clean them out. Forcing Jake, Tom, and Ben out the door, would be remembered in the same light as the Tigers forcing Moses and Tedesco out. A wooden spoon would just be a formality. Many club people would walk out the door, and the culture would be completely annihilated.

Also, forget about signing Haas if we were to do that.

Love Hoppa, but he doesn’t possess the aura of Turbo yet. He is not yet a game winner. Brooks over Walsh is a similar dilemma. Walsh will be there (I think by 2027), but don’t hedge your bets too soon.

Kamikamica is 31. Pass.

Pattie won’t leave, as it looks certain that Brailey will be the reserve grade backup.

 

[The '47ers]

I have some strong disagreements here.

The first, and most important, is we cannot let the Turbos leave, much less clean them out. Forcing Jake, Tom, and Ben out the door, would be remembered in the same light as the Tigers forcing Moses and Tedesco out. A wooden spoon would just be a formality. Many club people would walk out the door, and the culture would be completely annihilated.

Also, forget about signing Haas if we were to do that.

Love Hoppa, but he doesn’t possess the aura of Turbo yet. He is not yet a game winner. Brooks over Walsh is a similar dilemma. Walsh will be there (I think by 2027), but don’t hedge your bets too soon.

Kamikamica is 31. Pass.

Pattie won’t leave, as it looks certain that Brailey will be the reserve grade backup.

Admire your loyalty, but both are one injury away from retirement. Jake is an anchor around the neck of the team, physically and financially.
I can't knock them for collecting their over the top money this year but beyond that no thanks.
"Culture would be completely annihilated" is a bit over the top, 13 odd seasons and they've won nothing. Probably time to cut the cord.
Yes yes, after the 2026 payout, but it's not about the money 😉

 

[Eagle 1]

What about Papps? Must say, surprised no one has commented on him apparently not putting his body on the line to stop the game winning try. Could easily have stopped him from getting the ball down (at least that’s what it looked like from the camera angle).

Well Brookie, its Pappy caught and pushed over the sideline by Walsh with the tryline agonisingly close. That's the big talking point down South.

 

[Disco]

Admire your loyalty, but both are one injury away from retirement. Jake is an anchor around the neck of the team, physically and financially.
I can't knock them for collecting their over the top money this year but beyond that no thanks.
"Culture would be completely annihilated" is a bit over the top, 13 odd seasons and they've won nothing. Probably time to cut the cord.
Yes yes, after the 2026 payout, but it's not about the money 😉

Jake is probably one concussion away from retirement Tom is not one injury from retirement.

 

[The '47ers]

What about Papps? Must say, surprised no one has commented on him apparently not putting his body on the line to stop the game winning try. Could easily have stopped him from getting the ball down (at least that’s what it looked like from the camera angle).

 

[The '47ers]

Jake is probably one concussion away from retirement Tom is not one injury from retirement.

Okay, maybe not retirement, but 12 weeks on the sidelines

 

[Disco]

Okay, maybe not retirement, but 12 weeks on the sidelines

As are all players.....but yes I get your point, Tommy has has a hrrendous run but 38 games the last two years shows improvement.

I'd take Tommy at 800k for 19 games a year.

 

[maxta]

Fermor is a player I rate and would be a great signing.
There will be plays at a Big signing, come November.
The Trbojevic bros are going nowhere, with the only concern at this time about Jakes welfare, which is a high concern and will be monitored closely in 2026
Players leaving are no real concern, DCE has been a Superstar and though almost lost during the season amongst constant speculation, finished the last few games well....Fogarty is not in the elite category of DCE and his defence very questionable, though his organisational skills as far as game management imo, exceeds DCE and just maybe add a different edge lacking, in a confused looking Manly team at key moments in recent seasons - great kicking game also.
The player I feel sorry for is Talau, who I felt was 1 of few players to give his all, even in some pathetic games that were hard to watch, he made some great shots and was always a handful running the footy....unless Wilson is far better than the games I have seen, yet another stupid call from the Manly heirarchy....quick and good backup no doubt, but I feel Talau was good enough to be a starter more often and maybe lacked Saab for speed, but beats him silly in every other category.
Certainly agree about the need of a hooker, but if he can get his "off field" attitude right, get set for Zaidas Muagututia to shine....I reckon he will be the smokey to shine and has that explosiveness so lacking around our middles in attack....Walsh will get time and has all the attributes to make a name by seasons end and Antonio Large will likely get his debut also.

 

[LeonardCohen]

As if Moale is coming to be 18th man, but still...

I'd give Brown and Lodge their marching orders. I'd look at Pattie for sure. I'd play Walsh in FG and use Brooks as depth. I'd go all out for Payne Haas but it's pie in the sky stuff, sadly.