One has to go ... who ?

[Tragic Eagle]

The players performances / form should decide this question. Selections should be made for the good of the team / club and not to appease individuals.

 

[manly al]

Salary cap has increased by a couple of mil in recent times , everything is relative with that too but can make it a bit easier to retain preferred personal .
But also as pointed out , a definite preference to be e regular i st grader or play at the highest level when depth circumstances and quality of players come into the equation . .
As also previously indicated , has to be considered in the context of who can offer what with the current array of backline talent .
Garrick with his crucial goal kicking a major asset , Saab with his above average speed , Koula with his undoubted X factor , Lehi showing he can compete at the highest level now with his all round general skill and ability level but can not see it as a centre . Talau , just that notch off a real game breaker but after last season 's efforts, at least a serious competitor .
Just not inclined to think that he would be an automatic fit on an edge and with his type of ability and skill level and the extra demands there which would probably only blunt his real effectiveness and style of play .
At 13 would have more the roving role , more room to move , pick his opportunities better and certainly does not mind a bit more physical input in defence .
Schoupp is more of a direct runner and positionally would seem a more natural fit on an edge .
Fair chance that Burbo can be a bit more prominent on an edge but not a lot of depth there now that Lawton has moved on , Waddell, good toiler but hardly inspiring , no Bateman now .
Jake and Brown not going to on all indications to help matters at 13 .ongoing .
Talau could offer a much needed solution at 13 and still be retained with the added benefit of utility value and there is always the emerging Faulalo and now also some attention to Willet who must have something going for him for additional backline depth

 

[nightster]

I don't think DCE's ongoing reduced contract is a salary cap issue as much as Jurbo's overs and the Schu debacle

 

[The Who]

Salary cap has increased by a couple of mil in recent times , everything is relative with that too but can make it a bit easier to retain preferred personal .
But also as pointed out , a definite preference to be e regular i st grader or play at the highest level when depth circumstances and quality of players come into the equation .

I read with interest this post and it triggered the question: how much sway does a player put on location, lifestyle and amenities when deciding what club to join, or reject? Watching the videos, The Manly Way, highlights the advantages Manly has over many other clubs. Being near the world's finest beaches, the easy outdoor lifestyle, and the contrasting facilities that the MWSE now have (Brookvale's Centre of Excellence can be matched by most clubs but how many also have the wide open space, fields, nature and sporting options of Narrabeen's Fitness Centre?).
Our coastal location can only be matched by Cronulla, Easts, the Gold Coast, and possibly Newcastle and Townsville/Cowboys). Of course, there may be some 'strange' people who don't like the surf. But would we really want such outliers in our club anyway?

 

[Rocky]

For me, the issue here is that there are 4 players—Turbo, Lehi, Garrick, and Koula — that are capable of playing fullback.

And all will be paid close to their value in that premier position. From memory Garrick is on 600k and Koula around 700k.

And as you know only one can play there..i guess this siutation is primarily a result of the Tom injuries and the emergence of Lehi.

The Storm or Penrith would find a way to move one on one of these guys and play a cheap guy like Clayton F on the wing.

That sort of money left over would get us a class forward which we badly need.

 

[The '47ers]

The players performances / form should decide this question. Selections should be made for the good of the team / club and not to appease individuals.

That's Blurbo gone then!

 

[LeonardCohen]

The other issue raised which I don't think is an issue at all, is having that extra back and potentially who to drop. The other supposed issue of having 8 players for 7 positions, I don't regard as an issue. As Seibold has mentioned on numerous occasions now, we want strong competition for positions. That means we must have extra players to compete for the same position.

This is missing the point, though. Of course, we want competition for spots and of course we'd like to have an extra quality outside back and good players vying for positions...that's a no brainer.

However, it is an issue for the player that consistently misses out...that's the point that a few of us have been trying to make, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. I'm sure Manly and every fan sees no problem have too many good players, you can never enough. Where it does become an issue is for the players themselves. When you've got 5 bonafide first graders that can demand a starting spot each week and a decent wage, but only 4 positions available, the one that misses out will inevitably go looking for another option, regardless of whether you or Seibs or anyone else wants them to stay because it's good depth.

We can put all the $$$ aside that we like and manage the cap to perfection and it won't make a lick of difference when the one that plays NSW Cup or keeps coming off the bench gets sick of it.

If you look closely, depth players make up the NRL transit lounge; it's very rare for a depth player to stick around at one club for very long because they and their managers are always looking for ways to leverage a better deal or more game time. The only way I can see it working for Manly is (a) Talau transitions to the back row in 26' or (b) DCE retires and Tom's fullback position is freed up for the Hoppa.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I read with interest this post and it triggered the question: how much sway does a player put on location, lifestyle and amenities when deciding what club to join, or reject?

see p15-16 of the RLPA 'Player Pulse'

Players' Pulse reveals top clubs ranked in new RLPA grading

For the first time, the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) has made its annual player survey results public through the newly introduced Players’ Pulse, including a new ranking system for NRL and NRLW clubs based on player feedback. Key highlights of the 2024 edition of the Players’ Pulse...

www.rlpa.com.au

 

[Ryan]

This guy was a centre remember (and Talau is a clone):

 

[jbb/james]

What do we think hoppa is worth moving fwd, say the next 3 , maybe 4 years

All the others are signed. Hoppas contract offer will need to be less than garrick or koula you would expect and if John is manager, what are our chances of retaining him anyway

With talau , clayton , ray ray and some promising backs like willett and large and hoppa currently signed for a bit, a bidding war fir another fullback for future years is not what we need unless tom is definitely moving to 6 and chez takes the gold watch

 

[Rocky]

This guy was a centre remember (and Talau is a clone):

View attachment 28882

Gday Ryan - i read that Talau attributed his career year to losing quite a few kgs. Not sure about him putting the weight back on to try and play on the edge.

 

[manly al]

For me, the issue here is that there are 4 players—Turbo, Lehi, Garrick, and Koula — that are capable of playing fullback.

And all will be paid close to their value in that premier position. From memory Garrick is on 600k and Koula around 700k.

And as you know only one can play there..i guess this siutation is primarily a result of the Tom injuries and the emergence of Lehi.

The Storm or Penrith would find a way to move one on one of these guys and play a cheap guy like Clayton F on the wing.

That sort of money left over would get us a class forward which we badly need.

Didn 't think Koula was on that amount , thought that it was more in the Garrick range but guess not that big a difference in the general sense .
Also when manager's fees and whatever taxation arrangements are taken into account .
Actually not bad value for Rueben when his goal kicking , speed and utility value is taken into account . won "t go there with defence .
Few setbacks last season but still think Manly very fortunate to have a player of Koula 's ability in the ranks and hopefully very long term
Speaking of Lehi 's value to the side , wish that Turbo and for all of his still really impressive range of abilities , could by the same token , replicate Lehi 's all round reliable and consistent defence at the back

 

[manly al]

I read with interest this post and it triggered the question: how much sway does a player put on location, lifestyle and amenities when deciding what club to join, or reject? Watching the videos, The Manly Way, highlights the advantages Manly has over many other clubs. Being near the world's finest beaches, the easy outdoor lifestyle, and the contrasting facilities that the MWSE now have (Brookvale's Centre of Excellence can be matched by most clubs but how many also have the wide open space, fields, nature and sporting options of Narrabeen's Fitness Centre?).
Our coastal location can only be matched by Cronulla, Easts, the Gold Coast, and possibly Newcastle and Townsville/Cowboys). Of course, there may be some 'strange' people who don't like the surf. But would we really want such outliers in our club anyway?

Read somewhere once that Arko used to get some big signings over the line with the appeal of living on the northern beaches .
Not in my general area but not all that safe in swimming or being in the water at different times of the year in the greater Townsville area .
Croc population getting a bit out of hand as well .
Oh well , part or some part of the joy in living in a tropical or sub tropical location

 

[manly al]

Gday Ryan - i read that Talau attributed his career year to losing quite a few kgs. Not sure about him putting the weight back on to try and play on the edge.

A 13 , a 13 , my kingdom for a 13

 

[BOZO]

Read somewhere once that Arko used to get some big signings over the line

No one could say No to our Legendary Godfather and the Father of all Manly Success feathered friend

 

[silvereagle]

This is missing the point, though. Of course, we want competition for spots and of course we'd like to have an extra quality outside back and good players vying for positions...that's a no brainer.

However, it is an issue for the player that consistently misses out...that's the point that a few of us have been trying to make, but it seems to fall on deaf ears. I'm sure Manly and every fan sees no problem have too many good players, you can never enough. Where it does become an issue is for the players themselves. When you've got 5 bonafide first graders that can demand a starting spot each week and a decent wage, but only 4 positions available, the one that misses out will inevitably go looking for another option, regardless of whether you or Seibs or anyone else wants them to stay because it's good depth.

We can put all the $$$ aside that we like and manage the cap to perfection and it won't make a lick of difference when the one that plays NSW Cup or keeps coming off the bench gets sick of it.

If you look closely, depth players make up the NRL transit lounge; it's very rare for a depth player to stick around at one club for very long because they and their managers are always looking for ways to leverage a better deal or more game time. The only way I can see it working for Manly is (a) Talau transitions to the back row in 26' or (b) DCE retires and Tom's fullback position is freed up for the Hoppa.

I got your point but I think you may have missed mine. By your logic then the club has issues with the 13 players NOT picked EACH WEEK for 1st grade. I don't think that is the case and I don't think that is an issue. I do agree however that if this was to continue for an entire season then yes that would be a serious issue for that particular player(s) and they would certainly bee looking for greener pastures . Given injuries, form, positional changes (eg. Talau to forwards) etc over a season, I don't think we have a problem there. As mentioned, I think the far bigger problem is the lack of cap / financial coverage for some obvious upgrades coming up. That's potentially where we would loose talent.

 

[Woodsie]

As mentioned, I think the far bigger problem is the lack of cap / financial coverage for some obvious upgrades coming up. That's potentially where we would loose talent.

and ^ that is the entire point of the thread ... it is not so much a player having to spend time as a reserve grader .. IT IS .. are the club prepared to pay a part time first grader $600k plus to do so ...

 

[Rocky]

Didn 't think Koula was on that amount , thought that it was more in the Garrick range but guess not that big a difference in the general sense .
Also when manager's fees and whatever taxation arrangements are taken into account .
Actually not bad value for Rueben when his goal kicking , speed and utility value is taken into account . won "t go there with defence .
Few setbacks last season but still think Manly very fortunate to have a player of Koula 's ability in the ranks and hopefully very long term
Speaking of Lehi 's value to the side , wish that Turbo and for all of his still really impressive range of abilities , could by the same token , replicate Lehi 's all round reliable and consistent defence at the back

Rugby was reported to have offered him 800k.

I dont know if that's fact but that was the story when he re-signed with Manly.

 

[Scorpio]

This guy was a centre remember (and Talau is a clone):

View attachment 28882

It could work but I see two problems.

If the club wants to move him to backrow, then surely he would need an off-season to train there and adjust body weight/type as needed. So either that happens now (given pre-season training has been underway for weeks already) or for 2026.

And if TT doesn't want to move to back-row, he's off contract in 2026 anyway, so he might then look elsewhere at another club who is willing to play him at centre.

Either way, we likely still have 6 first-grade back-line players in 2025 and only 5 positions to put them in...

 

[LeonardCohen]

and ^ that is the entire point of the thread ... it is not so much a player having to spend time as a reserve grader .. IT IS .. are the club prepared to pay a part time first grader $600k plus to do so ...

I think it’s both.