The very fact that the Roosters already have their eyes on them, tells us it is not early at all to be thinking of this stuff.
One of the Roosters well known tactics is to sneak under the guard of opposition junior developments and grab the cream with healthy incentives. All clubs, including Manly, do it, its just that the Roosters do it by far the best. Looking at junior players on the rise is just as important, probably more important, than picking up a star player in the prime of his career. That's why the Eels have failed so badly except in the 1980s. They ignored their junior talent and allowed other clubs to grab the cream.
In past Sea Eagles teams, no doubt assisted by ready cash and no salary cap, Manly ensured they kept their star juniors and poached others. In recent years Manly has handled this issue rather poorly. When the Roosters grab juniors from elsewhere, they then don't lose the top potential players to other clubs. They let go who they don't want and they usually do it smartly. Manly used to do that, but in the past couple of years they leaked a lot of good players and ended up left with chaff. Realistically only T.T., J. T., DCE, Taupau, AFB and maybe Api would be assured of a first grade position in other clubs. A couple of the younger players such as Fainu and Suli would potentially get there and a fit Sironen and committed Walker would be in the mix. That means at this stage only six and potentially ten of the Manly squad could be assured of a first grade squad elsewhere. Now look at who we let go, or had pinched from under our guard.
It is therefore absolutely imperative that we seal up these young potential stars before other interested cocks in the coop come a'crowin'.