Latu Fainu

[manly al]

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.

Like his work ethic but doubt if Sykes has much more upside and to be in the top 30 squad
Different matter with Humphries on present indications .
just so need Bullemor to be re signed A S A P , Jake and Paseka , good as props as any going around but not that much faith in especially Aloiia but also Keppie and Sipley offering consistent best value there . Bullemor going real well on current indications and should be a must re signing .

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	✔
View attachment 24276	Jamie Humphries		✔	✔
​	Sean Keppie	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Tolutau Koula	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Karl Lawton	✔	✔
​	Haumole Olakau'atu	✔	✔	✔
​	Brad Parker	✔	✔	✔
​	Taniela Paseka	✔	✔
​	Jaxson Paulo		✔	✔	✔
​	Jason Saab	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Josh Schuster	✔	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Toafofoa Sipley	✔	✔	✔
View attachment 24275	Jacob Sykes		✔	✔
​	Tommy Talau		✔	✔
​	Ben Trbojevic	✔	✔
​	Jake Trbojevic (vc)	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Tom Trbojevic	✔	✔	✔	✔
​	Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega	✔	✔	✔
​	Kelma Tuilagi	✔	✔	✔
​	Christian Tuipulotu	✔	✔	✔
​	Kaeo Weekes	✔	✔	✔
​	Aaron Woods	✔

 

[Highflier]

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.

and for the record the 9 we should seriously look at is Peter Mamazoulas ? playing reserves behind Cook at Souffs, 23 y o ,all the skills including D and will be 25/26 before he is playing 1st grade if he stays at the hole/burrow
Go get him Siebs

 

[BOZO]

Isn't it funny, while Fulton was here all he would do is recruit tigers, now he is at the Tigers he is still giving us Tigers. I have a feeling it won't be the last one he gives us either

It is funny how after Fulton left we are still recruiting Tigers
Fulton is not our recruiter anymore and he is not giving us anything any more

 

[BOZO]

Latu Fainu who could have been our next big thing
is another club choice
and we all live and die by the choice we make
Lets hope Brooks delivers at Brookvale
Lets hope we all do not die before another Manly premiership
Lets hope to see a Manly Premiership win soon !

 

[Eagle 1]

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.

what's the point having a contract these days, just come up with an excuse, usually the family ones that tug on the heartstrings will do it...I'm so well over this frankly..

 

[Thewestisbest]

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.

If we "re signed" or extended Samuela three months ago then he would have to be locked up until at least the end of 2025. We had him to 2024 on his last contract.

 

[47MVEagle]

what's the point having a contract these days, just come up with an excuse, usually the family ones that tug on the heartstrings will do it...I'm so well over this frankly..

I agree!

Seems a contract is only binding if both parties want it to be. As soon as one party wants out it seems to inevitably dissolve.

Rarely do you hear of a club standing firm & forcing a player to stay, or payout their remaining term.

The player managers use every dirty trick in the book (leaks to media, threats over other players, etc) to get their way.

It’s a joke.

 

[Seagles68]

Like his work ethic but doubt if Sykes has much more upside and to be in the top 30 squad
Different matter with Humphries on present indications .
just so need Bullemor to be re signed A S A P , Jake and Paseka , good as props as any going around but not that much faith in especially Aloiia but also Keppie and Sipley offering consistent best value there . Bullemor going real well on current indications and should be a must re signing .

Josh A is definitely our weakest link at the moment ...... IMHO

 

[MW66]

Media reports that both brothers have met with Benji AND Wayne Bennett. If true then say goodbye to both.

 

[Seagles68]

Media reports that both brothers have met with Benji AND Wayne Bennett. If true then say goodbye to both.

Samuela leaving is particularly annoying. And why meet with Bennet? I thought all the brothers wanted to play together. If that's just conjecture again, why the hell not just stay here? Unless Bennet also wants to buy Sione. Is the family going to be relocating again but this time to Balmain, Campbelltown or Redcliffe?? Unproven/inexperienced players can't cost us that much, surely.

 

[Disco]

Rarely do you hear of a club standing firm & forcing a player to stay, or payout their remaining term.

Storm made Ado Carr see out an extra year.

We made Taupau stay till the end of last season.

Tigers kept Brooks when he wanted out to the Knights.

Dragons have kept Hunt till at least the end of the season.

Palasia requested to leave a year early and the Broncos denied.

Sloan requested a release from the dragons that was knocked back.

Likewise Sullivan had a release request knocked back from the Dragons.

Payne Haas was requesting a release last year and was denied.

Thats 8 examples straight off the top of me head.

 

[XV-1]

I agree!

Seems a contract is only binding if both parties want it to be. As soon as one party wants out it seems to inevitably dissolve.

Rarely do you hear of a club standing firm & forcing a player to stay, or payout their remaining term.

The player managers use every dirty trick in the book (leaks to media, threats over other players, etc) to get their way.

It’s a joke.

Not sure Latu requested to leave
I believe Manly told Latu he is free to talk to any interested clubs.

I think it's more Manly have to pay Latu and Samuela a lot more $$ next year and that is placing stress on next years salary cap.

Latu is not ready to play first grade yet even next year ,so Seibold is taking the save Seibold coaching career by looking at short term fix - Brooks.

Don't agree with it.

 

[Eagles4Life]

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.

I am as confused as you are @Adz I have seen both the recent reports on his current contract and the original reports when he was signed. Including those posted by you about a week ago?
My understanding back then was that there was a club option in his contract for the third year (2024)
I can't find any link to that report today.

However, I can find a number of recent articles (including the ones below) that show he is off-contract for 2024? This is a surprise to me as I thought his option would have been exercised by the club, at the same time as Fifita and Tuitavake left the building.

Josh Schuster contract: Manly Sea Eagles' star takes a pay cut to stay with the club | Sporting News Australia

Josh Schuster has signed a three-year contract extension with the Manly Sea Eagles which involves taking a pay cut and having to contend with the incoming arrival of Luke Brooks next season.

www.sportingnews.com

2024 NRL Signings Tracker: Dragons sign Rugby 7s star, extend Flanagan

The Dragons have signed Australian Olympic sevens star Nathan Lawson and extended Kyle Flanagan, while luring Dan Atkinson from Cronulla for 2026.

www.nrl.com

This from nrl.com

Aaron Woods	2023
Alec Tu’itavake	2023
Ben Trbojevic	2023	2024
Ben Condon	2023	2024	2025
Brad Parker	2023
Christian Tuipulotu	2023	2024
Daly Cherry-Evans	2023	2024	2025
Ethan Bullemor	2023
Haumole Olakau’atu	2023	2024	2025
Jake Arthur	2023	2024
Jake Trbojevic	2023	2024	2025	2026
Jason Saab	2023	2024	2025	2026
Jaxson Paulo*		2024	2025	2026
Josh Aloiai	2023	2024	2025
Josh Schuster	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
Kaeo Weekes	2023
Karl Lawton	2023	2024
Kelma Tuilagi	2023	2024	2025
Lachlan Croker	2023	2024
Luke Brooks*		2024	2025	2026	2027
Morgan Boyle	2023
Morgan Harper	2023
Raymond Vaega	2023
Reuben Garrick	2023	2024	2025	2026
Sean Keppie	2023	2024	2025	2026
Samuela Fainu	2023
Taniela Paseka	2023	2024
Tom Trbojevic	2023	2024	2025	2026
Tommy Talau*		2024	2025
Toafofoa Sipley	2023	2024	2025
Tolutau Koula	2023	2024	2025	2026	2027
Viliami Fifita	2023	2024
Zac Fulton	2023	2024

Cooper Johns left out from this one as well.

 

[Seagles68]

Storm made Ado Carr see out an extra year.

We made Taupau stay till the end of last season.

Tigers kept Brooks when he wanted out to the Knights.

Dragons have kept Hunt till at least the end of the season.

Palasia requested to leave a year early and the Broncos denied.

Sloan requested a release from the dragons that was knocked back.

Likewise Sullivan had a release request knocked back from the Dragons.

Payne Haas was requesting a release last year and was denied.

Thats 8 examples straight off the top of me head.

Yeah but apart from them ....

 

[Will on the hill]

Players aren't magicians. As Fans we love to hype how amazing individuals are but systems win prems. What do Storm, Roosters, Penrith and 2007-2013 Manly have in common? It's attitude, buying into a plan/ethos. If players don't want to put club first and buy into the system then moving them on is the right decision, regardless of their potential.

 

[40 nil]

We have no control over who is purchased, retained or let go, but I would have preferred to keep Latu. He is a very talented footballer, who can ball play, kick & run. I think he would have been ready for NRL next year as was 18 year old Isaiya Katoa this year for the Dolphins. I really don't like this short sighted approach to signing "experienced" players instead of having confidence in youth. Maybe Seibold was burned by his experience blooding young players at the Broncos? I would have preferred to release DCE at the end of this year and retain a gun young half who has a decade of NRL in front of him.

Overall, I'm losing interest # in the Sea Eagles - mismanaged off the field with a clunky squad that can't get it together for more than one game at a time. In stark comparison, the Warriors are playing solid football every week & are climbing the ladder. They have a couple of stand out players in Johnson & AFB, but mostly they are just competent NRL players who do their job every week with grit and common purpose. Full kudos to their coach, Andrew Webster.

Edit: # in the NRL also

 

[Eagle 1]

I agree!

Seems a contract is only binding if both parties want it to be. As soon as one party wants out it seems to inevitably dissolve.

Rarely do you hear of a club standing firm & forcing a player to stay, or payout their remaining term.

The player managers use every dirty trick in the book (leaks to media, threats over other players, etc) to get their way.

It’s a joke.

Yep, to tell you the truth, Clubs to easily allow this to happen anyway.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Not sure Latu requested to leave
I believe Manly told Latu he is free to talk to any interested clubs.

I think it's more Manly have to pay Latu and Samuela a lot more $$ next year and that is placing stress on next years salary cap.

Latu is not ready to play first grade yet even next year ,so Seibold is taking the save Seibold coaching career by looking at short term fix - Brooks.

Don't agree with it.

We are one of the worst defensive teams in the comp and the players we have signed are more to do with their attacking game. Is Seibold trying to score 40+ points a game so our defence won't matter as much. lol...certainly sounds like it.

 

[Thewestisbest]

Storm made Ado Carr see out an extra year.

We made Taupau stay till the end of last season.

Tigers kept Brooks when he wanted out to the Knights.

Dragons have kept Hunt till at least the end of the season.

Palasia requested to leave a year early and the Broncos denied.

Sloan requested a release from the dragons that was knocked back.

Likewise Sullivan had a release request knocked back from the Dragons.

Payne Haas was requesting a release last year and was denied.

Thats 8 examples straight off the top of me head.

Gold!

 

[Budgie]

Interest from Titans and Tigers ...

How Brooks’ exit has put Benji in battle with mentor Bennett

For the first time, Benji Marshall and mentor Wayne Bennett are going head-to-head in the transfer market as they pitch to the same players.

www.smh.com.au

It's really not the loss of future talent that disappoints me, but the fact that we stood by Manase for all that time, paid him, moved the family, years without a hooker.

Leaves a nasty taste and, for that reason, probably for the best.