2026 recruitment & retention

[Dion Johnson]

So this is Nudgee RU not RL. But he is in our SG Ball team as a second rower and selected for the Souths trial.

That’s him @Rosko union convert, has limited rugby league experience which makes his selection for the trial noteworthy.

 

[BOZO]

Mate, I'm only asking because they are such a talented, athletic people. I remember Andrew Walker tearing it up for us. Brian Kelly was great, too.

Our Legendary Cliffy Was King of them All

 

[BOZO]

We have 3 SERBIANS !!! 🐐🤣🤣

He have a few Catholics and a few Protestants too feathered friend

 

[Dion Johnson]

Looking for a new deal, would be a good addition to the forward pack,

PAHULU’S PAIN

Rising Titans forward Josiah Pahulu has been floored by a series of concussions as the Bulldogs abandoned their pursuit of the emerging prop.

Pahulu has been a notable absentee from Des Hasler’s Titans teams in their opening two games of the season.

The junior Maroons prospect was embroiled in a contract spat with the Titans late last year and requested an immediate release from the final year of his deal to join Canterbury.

The Titans rejected the request, leaving Pahulu to fight for a spot in Gold Coast’s best 17 this year.

But a series of pre-season head knocks have ruled him out of contention for now.

Pahulu suffered a couple of heavy hits at training and then a concussion in Gold Coast’s trial match against the Dolphins a month ago.

He hasn’t played since, given he was forced to undergo mandatory testing due to the number of head knocks he received.

Pahulu is expected to be back in the selection mix next week and is also on the hunt for a new contract after the Bulldogs went cold on signing him following their acquisition of Newcastle’s Leo Thompson.

 

[Disco]

Looking for a new deal, would be a good addition to the forward pack,

PAHULU’S PAIN

Rising Titans forward Josiah Pahulu has been floored by a series of concussions as the Bulldogs abandoned their pursuit of the emerging prop.

Pahulu has been a notable absentee from Des Hasler’s Titans teams in their opening two games of the season.

The junior Maroons prospect was embroiled in a contract spat with the Titans late last year and requested an immediate release from the final year of his deal to join Canterbury.

The Titans rejected the request, leaving Pahulu to fight for a spot in Gold Coast’s best 17 this year.

But a series of pre-season head knocks have ruled him out of contention for now.

Pahulu suffered a couple of heavy hits at training and then a concussion in Gold Coast’s trial match against the Dolphins a month ago.

He hasn’t played since, given he was forced to undergo mandatory testing due to the number of head knocks he received.

Pahulu is expected to be back in the selection mix next week and is also on the hunt for a new contract after the Bulldogs went cold on signing him following their acquisition of Newcastle’s Leo Thompson.

Head knocks aside, talented player

 

[Phobia]

Looking for a new deal, would be a good addition to the forward pack,

PAHULU’S PAIN

Rising Titans forward Josiah Pahulu has been floored by a series of concussions as the Bulldogs abandoned their pursuit of the emerging prop.

Pahulu has been a notable absentee from Des Hasler’s Titans teams in their opening two games of the season.

The junior Maroons prospect was embroiled in a contract spat with the Titans late last year and requested an immediate release from the final year of his deal to join Canterbury.

The Titans rejected the request, leaving Pahulu to fight for a spot in Gold Coast’s best 17 this year.

But a series of pre-season head knocks have ruled him out of contention for now.

Pahulu suffered a couple of heavy hits at training and then a concussion in Gold Coast’s trial match against the Dolphins a month ago.

He hasn’t played since, given he was forced to undergo mandatory testing due to the number of head knocks he received.

Pahulu is expected to be back in the selection mix next week and is also on the hunt for a new contract after the Bulldogs went cold on signing him following their acquisition of Newcastle’s Leo Thompson.

Sipley is unsigned for 2026, and I suspect we won't be resigning him, he would be a massive upgrade, and probably on similar coin at this stage in his career.

 

[Dion Johnson]

Sipley is unsigned for 2026, and I suspect we won't be resigning him, he would be a massive upgrade, and probably on similar coin at this stage in his career.

According to the NRL signings register we have 50% of the current squad off contract at this seasons end.

A substantial amount of players looking for a new deal, Bully and DCE the priority for me.

Tommy Talau would be great to keep but with Large to debut next season I think there is enough depth in the three quarters.

Navale, Laiafi and Muagututia are in the 30 next season so 12 positions open, I like how Pahulu made the most of his opportunities last season.

Aaron Schoupp 2025
Aitasi James 2025
Clayton Faulalo 2025
Daly Cherry-Evans 2025
Dean Matterson 2025
Ethan Bullemor 2025
Gordon Chan Kum Tong 2025
Jake Arthur 2025
Jazz Tevaga 2025
Josh Aloiai 2025
Michael Chee Kam 2025
Raymond Vaega 2025
Siua Taukei'aho 2025
Toafofoa Sipley 2025
Tommy Talau 2025

 

[eaglebuzz]

Some of those guys will be re-signed but I really hope we are active in the player market next year. We have been limping along for so long.

 

[Nike]

Some of those guys will be re-signed but I really hope we are active in the player market next year. We have been limping along for so long.

Manly's recruitment strategy has been like for like or upgrade debutants who warrant it like
Haumole Olakau'atu and Tolutau Koula. Our recent 'marquee' signings have been players like Josh Aloiai, Martin Taupau and Luke Brookes. I don't think us fans will see any significant roster movements until our 'big 3' Tom, Jake and Daly re-sign on reduced deals or retire.

Manly aren't going to put in a clinical Melbourne or Penrithesque season, but if a couple of our emerging players cement themselves like Lehi Hopoate and the team times their run to make the top 4 with some momentum, I think they're good enough to win it on the day this year. A lot of work, especially defensive, to be done before anything like that happens but my point is that if it's going to happen, I doubt it'll be based off some pivotal signing. Not anytime soon, anyway.

 

[KNUCKLES]

Players id like to see us have a look at. Albeit some unrealistic.

Trey Mooney
Zac Hosking
Mitchell Barnett
Kobe Hetherington
Wade Egan
Jacob Preston
Kayal Iro
Leka Halasima
Fonua Pole

 

[Rackets]

Players id like to see us have a look at. Albeit some unrealistic.

Trey Mooney
Zac Hosking
Mitchell Barnett
Kobe Hetherington
Wade Egan
Jacob Preston
Kayal Iro
Leka Halasima
Fonua Pole

I'd add Dylan Lucas

 

[Disco]

Off contract as far as zero tackle are concerned and very realistic.

Blake Mozer
Josiah Pahulu
Bailey Hayward
Lazarus Valeepu
Harrison Hassett

Players on contract but currently not getting a run

Trey Mooney
Jacab Laban

 

[Rafferty]

Off contract as far as zero tackle are concerned and very realistic.

Blake Mozer
Josiah Pahulu
Bailey Hayward
Lazarus Valeepu
Harrison Hassett

Players on contract but currently not getting a run

Trey Mooney
Jacab Laban

Mooney gets a shot this weekend, (albeit an injury promotion) actually I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start, Hors back to 13 and Smithies as impact from the bench.

 

[madmax]

According to the NRL signings register we have 50% of the current squad off contract at this seasons end.

A substantial amount of players looking for a new deal, Bully and DCE the priority for me.

Tommy Talau would be great to keep but with Large to debut next season I think there is enough depth in the three quarters.

Navale, Laiafi and Muagututia are in the 30 next season so 12 positions open, I like how Pahulu made the most of his opportunities last season.

Aaron Schoupp 2025
Aitasi James 2025
Clayton Faulalo 2025
Daly Cherry-Evans 2025
Dean Matterson 2025
Ethan Bullemor 2025
Gordon Chan Kum Tong 2025
Jake Arthur 2025
Jazz Tevaga 2025
Josh Aloiai 2025
Michael Chee Kam 2025
Raymond Vaega 2025
Siua Taukei'aho 2025
Toafofoa Sipley 2025
Tommy Talau 2025

Keep TT2, Bully, TKO, Toff & DCE….the rest ‘ ‘shrugs shoulders’.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Keep TT2, Bully, TKO, Toff & DCE….the rest ‘ ‘shrugs shoulders’.

I'd keep Sipley and possibly Tevaga as well, but only on modest dollars.

Happy to see the back of Matterson, James, Fualalo, Schoupp, GCKT, Aloiai, Chee Kam, and Vaega. If the club keeps any of them it had better be on bargain basement prices.

 

[Ohgeez]

Off contract Davvy Moale should be near the top of our list for 2026 recruits. Only 22 as well

 

[ManlyTragic]

I'd keep Sipley and possibly Tevaga as well, but only on modest dollars.

Happy to see the back of Matterson, James, Fualalo, Schoupp, GCKT, Aloiai, Chee Kam, and Vaega. If the club keeps any of them it had better be on bargain basement prices.

I don’t think you could sell any of those you mention even in the Black Friday sales!

Just sayin’

 

[madmax]

I don’t think you could sell any of those you mention even in the Black Friday sales!

Just sayin’

Aloiai has been one of our better forwards this season. He’s a keeper especially now with Paseka in limbo!

 

[KNUCKLES]

Aloiai has been one of our better forwards this season. He’s a keeper especially now with Paseka in limbo!

For this year maybe

 

[eaglebuzz]

I don’t think you could sell any of those you mention even in the Black Friday sales!

Just sayin’

You don't need to sell them, just don't re-sign them.