I may be wrong...and often am...but I get a sense that Des is in no rush to sign anyone else this year, knowing that he has a lot of players coming off contracts this years end and there are a couple of players in the juniors who need to be added for next year.
Given most juniors will be cheaper than going into the market for a middle range player, Des may decide not to commit money to an outsider when he has the basis of a top tier side on the rise. Just looking through the side its obvious the big five will be the basis of the side (ie TT, DCE, JT, AFB and Taupau). Add to that Suli, Cust, Sirro, Waddell, Garrett, Fainu, Api, Parker and you have most positions covered. The question will be do we keep Walker, Croker, Taufua, Elgey etc. Remember we have Schuster, Albert Hoppa, Ben T, Fainu jnr etc possibly worthy of a first grade spot at some time in 2020 as well as Anderson, Gosi, Paseka, Boyle, Olak, Funa, Metcalf, Elliott, Misi, Keppie, Kioa and Sipley to consider,
I doubt there is room for more than one or two recruits at years end. To buy now with a contract extending several years restricts Manly in holding what they have. Many will depart, but there are many juniors worth a close look at.
For Des the aim is the finals this year. Next year with some talent coming through the aim will be top 4