Latu Fainu

[KNUCKLES]

Braith and Tallis found it amazing that Manly would sign Brooks and let the best teenage half leave the club who could have learnt from DCE.

Short term view and coaches future vs mid-long term Manly future.

100% agree.

Also said if latu is really that good then why did they buy Brooks. There must be a another reason for letting him walk. Still I agree, we should be holding on to him until Cherry retires

 

[Jerry1]

Also said if latu is really that good then why did they buy Brooks. There must be a another reason for letting him walk. Still I agree, we should be holding on to him until Cherry retires

They let him go cos sideboard needs results now. Doesn't give a crap about the future. He'll be sacked well before that & he knows it.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Also said if latu is really that good then why did they buy Brooks. There must be a another reason for letting him walk. Still I agree, we should be holding on to him until Cherry retires

There's much more to it @KNUCKLES than football ability. Just saying.

 

[Thewestisbest]

I’m under 85, so it didn’t take long at all.

I just had a suspicion that you might like writing young players off early.

In your defence though, you probably write most blokes off after an ordinary game, so you’d definitely have gotten some right over the years.

I have to say, even though I disagree with your opinion, for 85 you're doing remarkably well. I'll be happy if my brain was half as sharp at 70.

 

[Seagles68]

I can confirm he was not training at the Titans this morning. All I saw was a groundsman.


Unless he gets a much better offer why would he leave?

The groundsman was training with the Titans??!!

 

[manly al]

The groundsman was training with the Titans??!!

Running the water
Instead of the sprinklers no doubt

 

[Thewestisbest]

There's much more to it @KNUCKLES than football ability. Just saying.

Is this another one of your suppositions? Or are you staying this as fact?

 

[Seagles68]

Running the water
Instead of the sprinklers no doubt

I have too much time on my hands whilst watching the cricket

 

[manly al]

Maybe most clubs if they would have an interest in Latu could have an issue with matching the apparent 300 k that he currently receiving at Manly
Taking into account that that is still largely based on potential
Manly giving every indication that he may be surplus to requirements but surely would like to still have Samual on the books
and no new forward acquisitions on the horizon unless there is some thought to consider Parker as a back rower or looking to the likes of Stuckey , then Burbo still seems in favor
Samual seems to have the makings of a top line edge player though or even prop or 13 cover
Guess that it is trade off times, ideal if Latu could stay and get closer to i st grade standard but looks like circumstances are going to result in a different outcome

 

[manly al]

I have too much time on my hands whilst watching the cricket

Talk about being on a good wicket

 

[Eagles4Life]

Is this another one of your suppositions? Or are you staying this as fact?

Stating it as fact. There are a number of contributing factors, including MWSE salary cap issues et al.

 

[JenEagle]

Stating it as fact. There are a number of contributing factors, including MWSE salary cap issues et al.

Are Manly also offering Samuela to the tigers as well. Surely we would re sign him ? Tigers have so many backrowers as it is

 

[Eagles4Life]

Are Manly also offering Samuela to the tigers as well. Surely we would re sign him ? Tigers have so many backrowers as it is

We re-signed Samuela three months ago until the end of 2024. However, Latu and Samuela (and Sione) want to play on the same side together long-term. When the Tiger's deal with Latu is formalised, I expect Samuela to be granted a release from MWSE simultaneously.

 

[Heckenberg]

We re-signed Samuela three months ago until the end of 2024. However, Latu and Samuela (and Sione) want to play on the same side together long-term. When the Tiger's deal with Latu is formalised, I expect Samuela to be granted a release from MWSE simultaneously.

Seems so weird to be signing guys on and then a few months later completely backflip on them. Something stinks

 

[manlyfan76]

Training the grass up.

Des was there yesterday though

 

[Pete W]

Personally, I can’t see either party agreeing to the current terms with the intention of Brooks playing 9.

The club have invested for four years and spent millions. Would they do that on a hunch that a 10 year career halfback is a sure thing to transition to 9? I doubt it.

Then there is the player himself. He’s got the opportunity to look around for a 7 gig or stay at his current club as a half, instead he risks throwing the remaining years of his already maligned career down the toilet, attempting to transition into the most physically demanding position on the field?

Then you’ve got Seibold’s comments that I infer as we’ve offered Josh a deal but I doubt he is gonna want to take it.

All signs point to Brooks in the halves.

Agreed. I posted this before I read Seibold and Josh's comments.

Personally I'm thrilled to see Josh back in the backrow. In 2021, we had a dynamic three pronged attack. Also, he is just not mobile enough to be stationed wider where he is badly exposed defensively.
Des also knew that his weight and fitness may fluctuate over the long term, and you can't substitute your 6 mid-game.

Re Brooks, this acquisition will do wonders for DCE and Manly. Whilst not as direct as Foran, he nevertheless will have no problem controlling a left edge. He's a running threat and has a great skillset. Luke's big problem at the Tigers was much like DCE's at Manly: if they are the only ones running the team, they will go missing when it counts, overplay their hand, and generally get pressured enough that their own individual strengths are nullified. They are each just one half of the equation - together they will both flourish.

With Schu closer in, all our spine now needs is a specialist 9.

 

[Eagles4Life]

We re-signed Samuela three months ago until the end of 2024. However, Latu and Samuela (and Sione) want to play on the same side together long-term. When the Tiger's deal with Latu is formalised, I expect Samuela to be granted a release from MWSE simultaneously.

I think this will go pretty close to our 2024 squad.
Note that this is just an opinion (mine)
We would need to upgrade Humphries and Sykes.
We would also need to re-sign Bullemore, Parker, Vaega and Weekes. (The additional ticks (2024/2025 for these four players are suggested contract periods only - not actual)
I have also arbitrarily extended GCKTs contract for an additional two years. We simply don't have the cap space to buy an elite nine.

Table edited from Manly Sea Eagles
(Cooper Johns and Latu Fainu are not included in the Zero Tackle table for 2023) No idea why.

Player		2023	2024	2025	2026
​	Josh Aloiai	✔	✔	✔
​	Jake Arthur	✔	✔
​	Morgan Boyle	✔
​	Luke Brooks		✔	✔	✔
​	Ethan Bullemor	✔	✔	✔
​	Gordon Chan Kum Tong		✔	✔	✔
​	Daly Cherry-Evans (c)	✔	✔	✔
​	Ben Condon	✔	✔	✔
​	Lachlan Croker	✔	✔
​	Samuela Fainu	✔
​	Zac Fulton	✔	✔
​	Reuben Garrick	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Morgan Harper	✔
	Jamie Humphries		✔	✔
​	Sean Keppie	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Tolutau Koula	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Karl Lawton	✔	✔
​	Haumole Olakau'atu	✔	✔	✔
​	Brad Parker	✔	✔	✔
​	Taniela Paseka	✔	✔
​	Jaxson Paulo		✔	✔	✔
​	Jason Saab	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Josh Schuster	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Toafofoa Sipley	✔	✔	✔
	Jacob Sykes		✔	✔
​	Tommy Talau		✔	✔
​	Ben Trbojevic	✔	✔
​	Jake Trbojevic (vc)	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Tom Trbojevic	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega	✔	✔	✔
​	Kelma Tuilagi	✔	✔	✔
​	Christian Tuipulotu	✔	✔	✔
​	Kaeo Weekes	✔	✔	✔
​	Aaron Woods	✔

 

[manlyfan76]

Latu has just turned 18, has been heavily invested in by Manly.
Immediately there is a log jam in front of him but he could do worse than to stay.
DCE has two more years.
Brooks has four years but could always be shipped off to super league for a big retirement contract $$$ if it suits both parties ( Shuster and Latu playing well)
Shuster is being spoken as a backrower or 13 now too so may not be long-term 5/8-

So even though there is a log jam in two years at age 20 Latu could be the Manly 5/8 - half.
And he is already getting paid for 2024 at a decent rate.

Hopefully we sign Sam up also.

 

[Adz]

We re-signed Samuela three months ago until the end of 2024. However, Latu and Samuela (and Sione) want to play on the same side together long-term. When the Tiger's deal with Latu is formalised, I expect Samuela to be granted a release from MWSE simultaneously.

Where is your info Samuela re-signed 3 months ago?
The only reports are from way back that he signed an initial 3 year contract through 2024.
Not disagreeing he may want to go tho.

 

[manly al]

Guess that in context with Latu , Manly trying to make a call whether the 300 k that may be redirected with his contract as opposed to be able to further develop him and have him at a not out of the question or fair chance at a favorable i st grade level ongoing with the remainder of his current deal .
Then no doubt the benefit of still retaining Samual if they both have a wish to be playing in the one club . Sione Fainu has not seemed to really progress that much at the Tigs . Neither have Fifita or Tuitavake at the Dragons '
So opportunity and no subsequent assurance of the grass is greener on the other side outlook may be registering and then not having the general appeal to them [ Latu and Sam ]
Family apparently again settled now in the Northern beaches , doubtful if Johns will be retained , Arthur more of a utility role and on the marginal side but Humphries very likely coming into the frame again . No idea really , any scenario is possible the way things are at present