Tommy Talau

[Rocky]

Saab's ceiling is much higher than Talau's. He needs to get some confidence back.

Agreed his ceiling is higher. But his floor is barely NSW cup standard, sadly

 

[StuBoot]

I agree. Strikes me a a confidence player with reasonable 1st grade ability. Makes a few mistakes but is a more than adequate back up for the outside backs. Hope there's a re-think and we retain him.

Agree, a lot of us would have him ahead of Saab. He covers more positions, has enough toe and is less mistake prone - to me he is well ahead in the football smarts department too.
The reaction from the crowd on Friday night when he popped up on the screen as a departing player said it all.

Considering he did an ACL at the Tigers he's come back strongly, he's the same age as Faulalo and l know who l'd be prioritising.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

So you reckon the club didn't table an offer for Talau. The Talau saga gets stranger by the day.

News about Manly signing Kobe Hetherington puts Talau's departure in a different light.
He's a decent first grade quality player but he's a back and we need forwards. Probably as simple as that.
Who knows, if Saab had been off contract it might have been him moved on? But that wasn't the case.

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

Maybe onitoni large is being considered as a possible centre ( well at least a way to get him into FG early) with Brooks going to hooker and Walsh playing with Fogarty in the halves. This might be the reason we have renewed Tommy as I guess we need to allocate cap spend to the forwards.

 

[rich]

Who’s Talau signing with anybody know?

 

[Pete W]

Maybe onitoni large is being considered as a possible centre ( well at least a way to get him into FG early) with Brooks going to hooker and Walsh playing with Fogarty in the halves.

That's what I'd be doing. Large plays right side and is an exceptional athlete. Better get him into grade ASAP before he's poached, and what better way than on an edge with the experience of Fogarty, Ola'akautu, and Garrick. He will be working closely with Fogarty and this would be a smooth transition for when Fogarty eventually leaves.

On the other side, Walsh should be playing that left edge from the get go. Again, may as well use 2026 to flog these guys with experience, and I think Walsh is just as ready as many young halves who've played full seasons. Let's not waste Fogarty's time with us - a perfect transition opportunity. Brooks to 14 also helps our dummy half depth, can add spark until Muagututia has fully stepped up.

 

[Jimmie]

id take run hard tackle hard good hands Talau over Saab any day of the week.

 

[eagle66]

Is the Blake Wilson signing still a goer?

 

[Cochrane]

Alot of people mention Brooks as a hooker/back up hooker.

I don't think he has the defence to be a solid hooker like Croker and lesser extent Simpson's were.

 

[XV-1]

Hmmmm


TOMMY TALAU

The talented outside back wasn’t offered a new contract by the Sea Eagles after playing just three first grade games this past season. Talau made a great impression with Manly in 2024, scoring 18 tries, however he was stuck behind a talented Sea Eagles backline this season so his opportunities were limited. At this stage, there doesn’t appear to be any NRL suitors, but it has been reported that Talau is looking at a switch to the UK Super League. Given he’s relatively young (25) and with a bit to offer

 

[Heckenberg]

Hmmmm


TOMMY TALAU

The talented outside back wasn’t offered a new contract by the Sea Eagles after playing just three first grade games this past season. Talau made a great impression with Manly in 2024, scoring 18 tries, however he was stuck behind a talented Sea Eagles backline this season so his opportunities were limited. At this stage, there doesn’t appear to be any NRL suitors, but it has been reported that Talau is looking at a switch to the UK Super League. Given he’s relatively young (25) and with a bit to offer

Quite odd really. I wonder if he’s just asking for too much money?

 

[Disco]

Wonder if he priced himself out of the market.

On what he brings on the field alone he'd have no shortage of NRL suiters and a fringe/backup outside back.

 

[Disco]

Quite odd really. I wonder if he’s just asking for too much money?

Ha jinx

 

[mave]

Can only be price.
Hes too good for Super League.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Wonder if he priced himself out of the market.

On what he brings on the field alone he'd have no shortage of NRL suiters and a fringe/backup outside back.

He probably doesn't want to be a fringe/backup.
And fair enough, he's showed he is first grade NRL standard. But we all know Manly was stacked with outside backs so someone had to miss out.
SL not a bad option for him, he would be picked up for sure and play first grade there.

 

[Rocky]

It might be tough on a personal basis for him to go to SL if he is in a relationship with Jessica Sturgis

 

[Disco]

He probably doesn't want to be a fringe/backup.
And fair enough, he's showed he is first grade NRL standard. But we all know Manly was stacked with outside backs so someone had to miss out.
SL not a bad option for him, he would be picked up for sure and play first grade there.

I mean what players WANTS to be fringe/backup.

Problem is, what NRL club out there can you name that Talau would be a lock down starter.

I like Talau, good player, definitely a first grader but not a certain starter at any club hence the level of interest I guess.

 

[Rocky]

I mean what players WANTS to be fringe/backup.

Problem is, what NRL club out there can you name that Talau would be a lock down starter.

I like Talau, good player, definitely a first grader but not a certain starter at any club hence the level of interest I guess.

Dragons he would be on the wing for sure

Manly he should have been on the wing over Saab.

 

[Eagle 1]

I mean what players WANTS to be fringe/backup.

Problem is, what NRL club out there can you name that Talau would be a lock down starter.

I like Talau, good player, definitely a first grader but not a certain starter at any club hence the level of interest I guess.

Thought he liked being at Manly, thinking it was only a matter of time before he took Saab's spot. Maybe he just wanted to move on to another club. Was injured a lot last season, so, maybe it was the best thing for both parties.

 

[MissKate]

I thought it was because he wanted to be in the run on team, not a backup player, sad to see him go but understand why he would want to