2026 recruitment & retention

[eaglebuzz]

Brent Read hasn't been all that reliable lately so I will wait until I see something official.

 

[Ohgeez]

Well my son saw him and Ezra on the golf course today and that’s not what he said when the young fella hit him up about coming to Manly……..

On their podcast Buzz & Brent Reed both said Hethrington’s manager told them he was extending. Hopefully he was lying to them for whatever reason

 

[Waz13]

On their podcast Buzz & Brent Reed both said Hethrington’s manager told them he was extending. Hopefully he was lying to them for whatever reason

Haha yeah no doubt. My son asked him “are you coming to Manly?” Apparently he said something like “dunno, have to wait and see” basically gave nothing away to a 15yr old pest! lol

 

[LeonardCohen]

I don’t think Kobe wants to leave and the Broncos rate him so it’s just gonna come down to cash. I think he’ll stay up there.

Personally, I’d like to have him but also think we need another 9 and a prop.

 

[Stewbojevic]

I don’t think Kobe wants to leave and the Broncos rate him so it’s just gonna come down to cash. I think he’ll stay up there.

Personally, I’d like to have him but also think we need another 9 and a prop.

Seems like we missed out on Brailey, Starling and Da Silva… which available hooker is worth chasing now?

 

[bob dylan]

Seems like we missed out on Brailey, Starling and Da Silva… which available hooker is worth chasing now?

Beggars cant be choosers.

We will get some scraps from somewhere, maybe.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Seems like we missed out on Brailey, Starling and Da Silva… which available hooker is worth chasing now?

Maybe Corey Paix?

 

[Phobia]

Maybe Corey Paix?

You won't believe this, apparently we've chased him before, and he put down the phone on us.

They probably think the Manly #9 jersey will turn them into a stabbing lunatic. No idea why they'd think that.

 

[Cochrane]

Still boggles the mind, what is a young kid who loved and excels at rugby league doing actually stabbing someone in front of a large group.

Does it to be cool or an act of supporting a brother, denying it was him but none of his other mates came forward to take the rap for him.

You cant be any dumber...

 

[Stewbojevic]

Maybe Corey Paix?

Not sure he’s that much of an upgrade on what we have.

 

[nightster]

We are fine with Simpkin and young Zaidas and Ashton developing into good prospects - Two good props and a second rower are more pressing imho

 

[Eagle 1]

Maybe Corey Paix?

How about we stick with Simpkins, his service is crisp and his darts from dummy half are a feature of his attacking play now. We've got more pressing concerns, a prop or 2 and another middle with grunt.

 

[Disco]

We are fine with Simpkin and young Zaidas and Ashton developing into good prospects - Two good props and a second rower are more pressing imho

I was bid on Da Silva coming in because I believe he has huge upside.

But absolutely agree with you if the alternatives are Paix or similar level.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I was bid on Da Silva coming in because I believe he has huge upside.

But absolutely agree with you if the alternatives are Paix or similar level.

Yeah I agree too. TDS was worth a crack as a potential future star, but if we are going to make do with above average players then Simpkin is already meeting that need.

 

[LeonardCohen]

Not sure he’s that much of an upgrade on what we have.

It’s not really about it being an upgrade. We need depth in the position or we are going to have Croker go round again. Tevaga is off to England and GCT is not cut out for it. If Simpkin goes down injured, we might have to just play with 12 men.

 

[LeonardCohen]

How about we stick with Simpkins, his service is crisp and his darts from dummy half are a feature of his attacking play now. We've got more pressing concerns, a prop or 2 and another middle with grunt.

Because you need more than one hooker in the squad and Croker and GCT are lesser option than Paix. Tevaga is off to England. Unless we plan to play with 12 men, we need another 9. It’s not about backing Simpkin, it’s about depth in the position; something people seem to forget every time a hooking option is floated. You can’t just pick one that you like and label the position filled. We need 2-3 option moving forward.

 

[Disco]

Because you need more than one hooker in the squad and Croker and GCT are lesser option than Paix. Tevaga is off to England. Unless we plan to play with 12 men, we need another 9. It’s not about backing Simpkin, it’s about depth in the position; something people seem to forget every time a hooking option is floated. You can’t just pick one that you like and label the position filled. We need 2-3 option moving forward.

Well it all depends on Croker really.

If he retires or looks to a longer term deal elsewhere then I agree we need another body. Though I'd be looking more at a half/hooker hybrid or a hooker/lock hybrid.

If Crocker sees out his deal I think we are best to ride it out.

Hopefully Zaidas and Large really start to push through otherwise its looking at more of a splash for 27.

In my opinion of course.

That said, I was happy to add a TDS regardless of what Croker did and I guess that is the difference.

 

[Cochrane]

How far away is Zaidas do people think. I did read that people saw him as more a backrower, but he came here as a 9

 

[LeonardCohen]

Well it all depends on Croker really.

If he retires or looks to a longer term deal elsewhere then I agree we need another body. Though I'd be looking more at a half/hooker hybrid or a hooker/lock hybrid.

If Crocker sees out his deal I think we are best to ride it out.

Hopefully Zaidas and Large really start to push through otherwise its looking at more of a splash for 27.

In my opinion of course.

That said, I was happy to add a TDS regardless of what Croker did and I guess that is the difference.

I actually think Paix is a pretty decent option. He has been playing good football for the Broncos but they’ve got to bring Mozer through. I’m not suggesting he is going to be a long term prospect or push Simpkin aside, but he can come and play a role. I’d take him over Croker any day.

The Croker situation is also a nuanced one. I believe there was a time (a couple of seasons ago) where he was solid enough to persevere with. He was defending strongly, kicking from dummy half and running on the odd occasion. However, he’s had some pretty significant set backs and his limited performances in the ensuing years are no longer up to FG standard. I think his time has come. As you suggest, just an opinion.

Finally (and this is not directed at you), I think some fans overlook the transient nature of recruitment. They see a squad as a ‘fixed’ entity and something a club builds entirely of their own volition. However, as Da Silva and DCE’s decisions point out, the club does not always get what it wants. A club will not always land or retain the player they’re after and adjustments are then made accordingly. A player is not always signed or retained with long term intentions. Essentially, my point is, we don’t have to sign Paix to be our forever 9, or to replace Simpkin, or to block the path of a rookie. He might just be a guy like Tevaga, who signs for a season or two to play a role, whilst holding out for a better option to become available.

 

[Disco]

I actually think Paix is a pretty decent option. He has been playing good football for the Broncos but they’ve got to bring Mozer through. I’m not suggesting he is going to be a long term prospect or push Simpkin aside, but he can come and play a role. I’d take him over Croker any day.

The Croker situation is also a nuanced one. I believe there was a time (a couple of seasons ago) where he was solid enough to persevere with. He was defending strongly, kicking from dummy half and running on the odd occasion. However, he’s had some pretty significant set backs and his limited performances in the ensuing years are no longer up to FG standard. I think his time has come. As you suggest, just an opinion.

Finally (and this is not directed at you), I think some fans overlook the transient nature of recruitment. They see a squad as a ‘fixed’ entity and something a club builds entirely of their own volition. However, as Da Silva and DCE’s decisions point out, the club does not always get what it wants. A club will not always land or retain the player they’re after and adjustments are then made accordingly. A player is not always signed or retained with long term intentions. Essentially, my point is, we don’t have to sign Paix to be our forever 9, or to replace Simpkin, or to block the path of a rookie. He might just be a guy like Tevaga, who signs for a season or two to play a role, whilst holding out for a better option to become available.

Agree with all of that but its all on the basis that Croker agrees to move on.

If he insists on seeing out his contract than I think we grit our teeth and ride it out a year.