Juniors Discussion Thread

[CCSeaEagle]

It’s definitely interesting times down in Manly right now. I’ve heard the SG Ball side had a bit of coin thrown at it this year, but even with that, they struggled to string many wins together.

Seems like the new recruitment team has officially cut ties with most of the Fulton-contracted kids. Some of them look to have been banished to Sydney Shield this year or parked in reserve spots—not exactly a ringing endorsement.

Big shift in direction. Was the clean-out overdue, or are we risking losing talent that just needed better development? Curious to hear what others think?

 

[MW66]

Who from Manly would have been on the u/19 radar? Large and Liafia (spell check)? Zaidas?

 

[Smokin Joe]

@Smokin Joe is Christian Taula also a mid season pick up?

Nah,pick up from the Tigers been in and out of side all year,Qlder originally.

 

[The Insomniac]

I note we have no players selected for the NSW under 19's SOO this year. Is this poor recruiting or our our juniors not competitive ? We are being left behind.

 

[Darren]

I think the focus on local juniors reminds me when I used to go and watch 15-25 years ago with Matts and Ball on a regular basis. The local kids would get smashed and very little talent. I sat one day at St George and it was 40 or 50 nil in one game and it was only half time. I personally liked the Fulton approach, but I can see how that caused angst for local kids. We are in trouble if we have no local kids good enough for 1st grade in the future.

 

[CCSeaEagle]

I think the focus on local juniors reminds me when I used to go and watch 15-25 years ago with Matts and Ball on a regular basis. The local kids would get smashed and very little talent. I sat one day at St George and it was 40 or 50 nil in one game and it was only half time. I personally liked the Fulton approach, but I can see how that caused angst for local kids. We are in trouble if we have no local kids good enough for 1st grade in the future.

Yeah I get where you’re coming from Darren — those years were tough to watch at times. Local juniors were getting towelled up every week and it often felt like we were just there to make up the numbers. The Fulton-era recruitment at least brought in some real talent, even if it came at the expense of local kids being pushed down the pecking order.

I do agree with you on the concern going forward — if our local systems aren't producing anyone remotely close to NRL standard, it's a serious long-term issue.

That said, the new recruitment setup seems to come with its own set of problems. There’s definitely a feeling that certain player agents are being favoured. The Humphreys situation is a good example — and there’s a young hardworking prop in Flegg with the same player agent who seems to be stuck on the bench, despite seemingly being held back last year as well in Sydney Shield. Meanwhile, others linked to preferred agents seem to leapfrog. Add in the continued focus on QLD imports over locals (already scouted talent), and it really starts to feel like selections aren’t based purely on performance and effort.

Feels like the pendulum’s just swung too far the other way again?

 

[CCSeaEagle]

Nah,pick up from the Tigers been in and out of side all year,Qlder originally.

Christian played under Mal Meninga at Norths Devils in 2023 before joining Balmain’s SG Ball side for 2024. This year, he’s been featuring regularly for Manly in the Jersey Flegg Cup.

He’s appeared in rounds 1 (vs Rabbitohs), 2 (Warriors), 3 (Raiders), 4 (Eels), 5 (Wests Tigers), 12 (Eels), and 14 (Knights). Notably, he scored a try in the 51st minute of the Round 1 clash against the Rabbitohs.

 

[1987Eagle]

Chayse was in our U16 dev squad,but the Dogs picked him up for their Matt's side,think he was a prop hooker.
The 2 Mahon brothers are also in our juniors.

Nah, Hooker/Half who also has played a little fullback and centre with the Dogs. Gun rugby scrum half as well.

 

[Smokin Joe]

Christian played under Mal Meninga at Norths Devils in 2023 before joining Balmain’s SG Ball side for 2024. This year, he’s been featuring regularly for Manly in the Jersey Flegg Cup.

He’s appeared in rounds 1 (vs Rabbitohs), 2 (Warriors), 3 (Raiders), 4 (Eels), 5 (Wests Tigers), 12 (Eels), and 14 (Knights). Notably, he scored a try in the 51st minute of the Round 1 clash against the Rabbitohs.

Yep,been dropped to Shield for a few games too.

 

[ManlyMan21]

I see another kid Geros from St Augustines. Anyone know anything about him?

From what I know he is a hooker/centre playing for the bulldogs Sg Ball team who used to be at manly in u16, Currently attending St Augustine’s with other league players, Beau Alexander- Manly Sg Ball, Beau McKee- Manly HM and Ethan Fulton- North Sydney Bears Sg Ball, from what I’ve heard are all excelling in rugby union for the school. 👍

 

[ManlyMan21]

From what I know he is a hooker/centre playing for the bulldogs Sg Ball team who used to be at manly in u16, Currently attending St Augustine’s with other league players, Beau Alexander- Manly Sg Ball, Beau McKee- Manly HM and Ethan Fulton- North Sydney Bears Sg Ball, from what I’ve heard are all excelling in rugby union for the school. 👍

And Just to add, I think they are playing at Brookie tomorrow infact, in the schools 1stxv, so should be a good showcase of league talent and what manly have missed out on in young Geros and Fulton

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

 

[The Wheel]

lost another one - never heard of him, if he was touted as a rampaging forward………

https://twitter.com/x/status/1937084753855070569

 

[MW66]

Interesting as we signed him from the Tigers last year. I think there was a report on him on here. Something along the lines of a big kid but lacked fitness. From memory only played a few games in HM.

 

[The Wheel]

Another one gone

 

[Brookie1973]

I note we have no players selected for the NSW under 19's SOO this year. Is this poor recruiting or our our juniors not competitive ? We are being left behind.

On the plus side, we are expecting to have a number of representatives in the over 40’s division of the next masters games.

 

[The Right Edge]

Anyone know anything about Will Cannavo - Knights junior moves teams months after being named SG Ball skipper. Played the one game as per article following week listed as a reserve in Flegg, then not in a team sheet since

 

[Pepi]

Onto another Knight. We have apparently signed Jack Hilliar, prop/lock from the knights Flegg team. Was in City under 18s last year and 18th man for NSW under 19 this year. Highly rated player. Not sure if it is for 2025 or 26.

 

[MW66]

Another new player for Flegg in Tenzin Contor. Played for the Mackay Cutters in Mal Meninga (U19's) Cup last year. Also Kurt Fisher who was a mid-season signing from the Eels scored another two try's on the weekend in Flegg.

 

[Turbo12]

Is Will Cannavo injured he played one game of Cup short stint but was very good he is only 18 was the knights Ball captain this year & I looked up he was in the starting side in the Knights flegg side last year as a year young Ball player that made the finals in Flegg but has not played since.