Manly have the problem of lacking consistency and power game in their forward pack. This combined with salary problems of paying Schuster 800k and aloai 600k has left the club in trouble. A solution to this would be selling the 2 at a reasonable price for a combination of players that would contribute to the club.
Manly should sell Schuster to Dragons for
- Schuster wants to play five eight and can't play that here at Manly
- Schuster can't run a tough inside line like backrowers are suppose to
- Dragons are lacking creativity in their attack
- Dragons are lacking halves with only Hunt and Amone (backup half quality)
- Manly have Ben Turbo who's position is back row and is a growing as a player
- Shane Flannagan has coached Schuster previously this year so there is connections
- 450k is reasonable as starting five eight or backrow as he has all the potential
- Manly will pay the remaining 350k
Manly should sell Aloai to Melbourne storm for 450k, reasons for;
- At Manly when we full strength he is not in starting team. (See below)
- He fits the Melbourne culture of hard working and tough
- Melbourne are lacking front rowers with energy and aggression with ageing forwards especially after loosing bromich brothers and kafusi last year
- Can really excel under Craig Bellamy for only 450k
- Has too many errors in his game currently and isn't worth his price
- Manly will pay remaining 150k
Who Manly should purchase
Manly should purchase Ryan Matterson from Parramatta by enforcing a deal that will create a disconnection with the club and granted a leave
Reasons for purchasing Ryan Matterson to Manly for 700K;
- Matterson is currently a bench player at Parramatta behind Hopgood at starting lock - he will be entitled starting lock at Manly
- He will receive a wage increase of 100k from 600k to 700k a season
- His style of footy suits the Manly style of expansive footy
- Matterson at lock allows Jake to play Front row as he is loosing his acceleration and attacking threat as he ages
- He gets to play with his brother at the club
- He would rather take a 3 game suspension at Parramatta instead of a fine revealing a fracture already in the club for him
- Him signing to the club actually promotes his brothers position in the pecking order (seen below)
Reasons for purchasing Tepai Moeroa to Manly for 200k;
- Currently off contract for the 2024 season
- Provides great depth for Front row rotation for the season
- Has played under the Storm system so physically and mentally strong
- Won't be asking for much as currently off contract bench forward with no interest from other clubs
- If Manly signed tuilangi for 200-250k a season for a starting back rower we can sign Moeroa for 200k
Starting pack without changes
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Lodge
11. Olaka'ata
12. Schuster
13. Jake
14. Gordy
15. Twall
16. Sipley
17. Burbo
Front row cover - Bullemor, Aloia, James
Second row cover - Burbo start, Dean Matterson bench, Parker
Starting pack after changes
8. Paseka
9. Croker
10. Jake
11. Olakua'ata
12. Burbo
13. R. Matterson
14. Gordy
15. Twall
16. Lodge
17. D. Matterson (need backrow cover and backs cover during game)
Front row cover - Sipley, Bullemor, Moeroa, James
Back row cover - D. Matterson start, Parker, Bullemor
So although Manly have 1.4 million currently between Schuster and Aloai if we sell them both for 450k and pay out the rest of their contracts we have 900k to spend. That money can be used for the purchase of Ryan Matterson and Tempai Moeroa who will benefit the club more then the two we currently have for 500k less.
The deal is beneficial for all teams apart from Parramata who will be loosing a bench player that will free up cap space for their depleted outside backs.
Keen for the thoughts in the comments