Manly Development Players 2021

[The better Robbo]

Jack Birt, the young hooker seems to be training with the top squad but isn't even listed as a development player. Not sure the reasoning, maybe Des is seeing what he's got to maybe offer him a top 30 contract or not???

 

[The Wheel]

Jack Birt, the young hooker seems to be training with the top squad but isn't even listed as a development player. Not sure the reasoning, maybe Des is seeing what he's got to maybe offer him a top 30 contract or not???

Maybe in Flegg squad

 

[double hoops]

Jack Birt, the young hooker seems to be training with the top squad but isn't even listed as a development player. Not sure the reasoning, maybe Des is seeing what he's got to maybe offer him a top 30 contract or not???

DES did the same with Weeks late off season.

 

[The better Robbo]

Maybe in Flegg squad

Thought he was too old but you're probably right.

 

[The Wheel]

Thought he was too old but you're probably right.

The comp is Under 21s next season I think

 

[The better Robbo]

The comp is Under 21s next season I think

Really? I don't quite understand that! If you're 21 and any good you should be playing NRL or NSW cup at least.
Only reason I can think is because the 20 yr olds didn't play last season. Surely it goes back to U20s in 2022.

 

[The Wheel]

Really? I don't quite understand that! If you're 21 and any good you should be playing NRL or NSW cup at least.
Only reason I can think is because the 20 yr olds didn't play last season. Surely it goes back to U20s in 2022.

Yes I think it’s one year only

 

[maxta]

They are young, keen, and ready to take their skills to another level in season 2021.

Zac Saddler, Sione Fainu, Kaeo Weekes, and Alec Tuitavake are the four young men in Manly’s NRL Development squad for next season.

Each day, they arrive at the Sea Eagles headquarters at Narrabeen to develop their skills and learn from experienced first graders about what it takes to become an NRL player.


A tall, solidly built prop, Saddler joined Manly midway through the 2019 season after previously working with Sea Eagles Coach Des Hasler and Recruitment Manager Noel Cleal at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

After spending the rest of the season in Manly’s U20s team, Saddler earned a development contract for 2020.

Saddler got a small taste of the NRL when he played for Manly in the Nines tournament in Perth before getting the call up to play for the Indigenous All Stars against the Maori All Stars in February.

Bright futures..Manly's 2021 Development players (l-r) Kaeo Weekes, Zac Saddler, Sione Fainu, and Alec Tuitavake©Ben Hamilton (Manly Media)
As for Fainu, Weekes, and Tuitavake, all three have come through the strong Sea Eagles Pathways Program after commencing with the club as 13 and 14-year-olds. All three are new to the development squad in 2021.

A damaging running prop with good ball skills, Fainu won the NSW U18s State Player of the Year award in 2019. He is the younger brother of hooker Manase Fainu.

Weekes has been one of Manly’s standout players in the NSWRL Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions in recent seasons and captained SG Ball last year.

A talented back with great skills and speed, Weekes was a prolific tryscorer in the junior representative ranks.

He notched up 11 tries in 2017 for Manly in the Harold Matthews competition in his first season of junior reps despite playing up an age group. His form saw him represent the NSW U16s in 2017.

Tuitavake was one of Manly’s most dominant forwards in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides. A powerful running prop, he was also selected in the NSW U18s and the Australian Schoolboys rugby league teams in 2019.

 

[globaleagle]

Maybe we should call up the player that was putting in those pin point kicks in goal!

- er, unless that was shuster, obv.

- er and we have foz now

~send vegemite!~

Update...

After months of not seeing any in store... the local supermarket finally got in some vegemite. Even if it is $13 for a small jar; I still grabbed some.

So for all those rushing to your local to buy me some, no need.
Wait...none of you were? You lousy dingbats!

 

[double hoops]

They are young, keen, and ready to take their skills to another level in season 2021.

Zac Saddler, Sione Fainu, Kaeo Weekes, and Alec Tuitavake are the four young men in Manly’s NRL Development squad for next season.

Each day, they arrive at the Sea Eagles headquarters at Narrabeen to develop their skills and learn from experienced first graders about what it takes to become an NRL player.


A tall, solidly built prop, Saddler joined Manly midway through the 2019 season after previously working with Sea Eagles Coach Des Hasler and Recruitment Manager Noel Cleal at the Canterbury Bulldogs.

After spending the rest of the season in Manly’s U20s team, Saddler earned a development contract for 2020.

Saddler got a small taste of the NRL when he played for Manly in the Nines tournament in Perth before getting the call up to play for the Indigenous All Stars against the Maori All Stars in February.

Bright futures..Manly's 2021 Development players (l-r) Kaeo Weekes, Zac Saddler, Sione Fainu, and Alec Tuitavake©Ben Hamilton (Manly Media)
As for Fainu, Weekes, and Tuitavake, all three have come through the strong Sea Eagles Pathways Program after commencing with the club as 13 and 14-year-olds. All three are new to the development squad in 2021.

A damaging running prop with good ball skills, Fainu won the NSW U18s State Player of the Year award in 2019. He is the younger brother of hooker Manase Fainu.

Weekes has been one of Manly’s standout players in the NSWRL Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions in recent seasons and captained SG Ball last year.

A talented back with great skills and speed, Weekes was a prolific tryscorer in the junior representative ranks.

He notched up 11 tries in 2017 for Manly in the Harold Matthews competition in his first season of junior reps despite playing up an age group. His form saw him represent the NSW U16s in 2017.

Tuitavake was one of Manly’s most dominant forwards in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball sides. A powerful running prop, he was also selected in the NSW U18s and the Australian Schoolboys rugby league teams in 2019.

If the clubs saying that's our Development Squad. It would seem Miskie top 30 and we might be done with signings.

 

[The better Robbo]

If the clubs saying that's our Development Squad. It would seem Miskie top 30 and we might be done with signings.

With the amount of outside backs we have surely we don't waste a spot on Miski. We can pay him 50k to play at Blacktown and use him if needed. #30 should not be another back!

 

[double hoops]

With the amount of outside backs we have surely we don't waste a spot on Miski. We can pay him 50k to play at Blacktown and use him if needed. #30 should not be another back!

Agreed. A Taylor, Izzard or Smith type back row/hooker would balance the squad better. Do we or don't have the spare spot ilfor them is the interesting part.

 

[The better Robbo]

Agreed. A Taylor, Izzard or Smith type back row/hooker would balance the squad better. Do we or don't have the spare spot ilfor them is the interesting part.

I'd be going a hooker/ utility for the final spot. Happy for Jack Birt and Izzard to take last 2 development squad spots... is Izzard still with us?

 

[Wombat64]

From the Daily Telegraph this morning an article ranking the top 5 most promising players from each club ....

SEA EAGLES​

Sione Fainu (prop/lock): Younger brother of Manly’s suspended hooker Manase, the towering middle forward was named NSW under-18 player of the year in 2019. Came through Westfields Sports High and it’s only a matter of time before he makes his mark in the NRL. Apparently there is a couple of more from the same family on their way through who have the potential to be just as good.

Ben Trbojevic (centre/back row): Don’t think for a minute it’s just the family name that’s creating all the hype. At 19, Trbojevic is 193cm, 105kg and, while he looks more like Tom, Ben’s playing style is a bit of a mix of both him and older brother Jake. Doesn’t have Tom’s electric fullback speed but still has enough with good skills and, like his brothers, doesn’t shed the hard work.

Ben Trbojevic.

Alec Tuitavake.
Jacob Sykes (middle): Manly’s 2019 Jersey Flegg best and fairest, a rock-solid middle who hits hard up under the ball, is tough and has enough natural talent and athleticism to make him one of the most talked about players in a very elite crop coming through at the Sea Eagles.

Jonah Palota-Kopa (centre/wing): A former New Zealand under-18 rising star who came to Australia as a 15-year-old. A very strong running centre with good footwork.

Alec Tuitavake (prop): His old man was a kickboxing champion and they reckon Alec is a young fella you wouldn’t want to mess with. NSW under-18 and Australian Schoolboy graduate who has been in the Manly system since he was 14.

 

[Brisbane Tragic]

From the Daily Telegraph this morning an article ranking the top 5 most promising players from each club ....

SEA EAGLES​

Sione Fainu (prop/lock): Younger brother of Manly’s suspended hooker Manase, the towering middle forward was named NSW under-18 player of the year in 2019. Came through Westfields Sports High and it’s only a matter of time before he makes his mark in the NRL. Apparently there is a couple of more from the same family on their way through who have the potential to be just as good.

Ben Trbojevic (centre/back row): Don’t think for a minute it’s just the family name that’s creating all the hype. At 19, Trbojevic is 193cm, 105kg and, while he looks more like Tom, Ben’s playing style is a bit of a mix of both him and older brother Jake. Doesn’t have Tom’s electric fullback speed but still has enough with good skills and, like his brothers, doesn’t shed the hard work.

Ben Trbojevic.

Alec Tuitavake.
Jacob Sykes (middle): Manly’s 2019 Jersey Flegg best and fairest, a rock-solid middle who hits hard up under the ball, is tough and has enough natural talent and athleticism to make him one of the most talked about players in a very elite crop coming through at the Sea Eagles.

Jonah Palota-Kopa (centre/wing): A former New Zealand under-18 rising star who came to Australia as a 15-year-old. A very strong running centre with good footwork.

Alec Tuitavake (prop): His old man was a kickboxing champion and they reckon Alec is a young fella you wouldn’t want to mess with. NSW under-18 and Australian Schoolboy graduate who has been in the Manly system since he was 14.

You have to be excited about our young Eagles coming through - add Weekes and Koala then Harper, Saab, Paseka, Guacomole and Tippytoes. If we can keep the majority - gee we are looking strong going forward.

 

[Captain Moondog]

2021 supercoach team picker is up now if anyone is interested.

 

[double hoops]

Yet another outside back added. W.T.F.

 

[Woodsie]

From the tele today ... The new whiz-kids by Paul Crawley ..

Sione Fainu ... Prop/lock ... yep, we knew about him ..

Ben Turpo .. centre/backrow .. yep, we knew about him ..

Jacob Styles ... Manly 2019 Jersey Flegg B&F .. Rock solid middle who hits hard, tough and has enough natural talent and athleticism to make him one of the most talked about players in a very elite crop.

Jonah Palota-Kopa ... Centre/wing . a former NZ u/18 rising star. A very strong running centre with good footwork ..

Alec Tuitavake ... Prop ... yep, we knew about him ..

Styles and Jonah ... sound interesting, not in our development as far as I am awatre ... anybody got more info ?

 

[Chip and Chase]

Is Jacob any relation to Mailangi ?

 

[Pepi]

It's Jacob Sykes, not Styles