Manly poach young gun from Storm

[Mitch]

MANLY POACHES YOUNG GUN FROM STORM

Manly has pinched one of the best young centre prospects in the game from the Storm, signing him to a four-year deal.

Cayden Close is only 15 but was in hot demand after winning the Coffs Harbour Comets Best & Fairest award last season.

A member of the NSW & Australian under 16s touch sides, he has lightning feet and after scoring six tries in a game against Group 19 early last year, had seven clubs on his trail.

Also a star sprinter, he settled on Manly after some sweet talking from Sea Eagles recruitment boss Noel Cleal and will definitely be one to watch in coming years.

The youngster will move to Sydney next season, where he has a full scholarship with St Joseph's College in Hunters Hill.

Moylan saves Sharks career with raw admission

As Manly pinches NRL's hottest young prospect

wwos.nine.com.au

Also a news item and story on the kid here:

COFFS HARBOUR'S CAYDEN CLOSE SIGNS TO MANLY | NBN News

In a time full of so many sporting cancellations, rugby league player Cayden Close had a disappointing 2020. But today that all turned around, after signing a contract to play with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

www.nbnnews.com.au

 

[Rosko]

I see the Storm logos on him, do they now own Coffs Harbour too?

 

[Briza]

Hopefully see the the name Close tearing it up in maroon and white again!

 

[Brissie Kid]

So he will be playing RU then.

 

[Darren]

Union at St Joey's, I did think that too. Four years is a big statement. Well done Crusher. Our recruiting in the juniors has been impressive. In a few years we will have a few stars coming through.

 

[Briza]

Isn't hunters hill out west, why not a school on the beaches?

 

[Woodsie]

Just texted a mate that coaches in the Coff's comp about Catden ... he replied ... "Freak, really good footballer, smart and tough"

 

[Shoe1]

How was he poached from the storm? Sounds like we signed him.

 

[Shoe1]

Isn't hunters hill out west, why not a school on the beaches?

Not too far away from the beaches. Maybe he needs to be in a boarding school at his age.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

How was he poached from the storm? Sounds like we signed him.

I think he's been with the Storm from age 6 to 14.

 

[maxta]

How was he poached from the storm? Sounds like we signed him.

A fairly solid source tells me he was first on the brink of going to Souths and Cleal got him to Manly...if he signed at Souths it would be all about "Souths sign young Gun"

 

[DUFFMAN]

So by the time he is ready to step up to the NRL he will sign with the Roosters for love and be a local junior.

 

[Moondog]

We poached him and then we pinched him. Purloining and pilfering are next.

 

[The Who]

Won't be long before NRL clubs start signing up kids still in the womb.
So much can go wrong from being a champion 15 year old, in any sport.
We shouldn't get too excited.

 

[Brissie Kid]

Storm x northern NSW junior = QLDer

 

[manly al]

Won't be long before NRL clubs start signing up kids still in the womb.
So much can go wrong from being a champion 15 year old, in any sport.
We shouldn't get too excited.

Yeah , can relate to that but. obviously very good for his current age so no harm in getting him into the Manly system and see how it goes from there

 

[cc eagle]

I see the Storm logos on him, do they now own Coffs Harbour too?

I live at Coffs, no sign of the scum here thank goodness

 

[weev]

I think he's been with the Storm from age 6 to 14.

Actually I think he got signed on delivery. Those Storm recruiters!!

 

[Woodsie]

We poached him and then we pinched him. Purloining and pilfering are next.

Boy, at least there is no pillaging ...

 

[MW66]

So by the time he is ready to step up to the NRL he will sign with the Roosters for love and be a local junior.

They were my thoughts too. Contract ends when he is 19 and on the verge of senior football but good luck to the kid.