2026 recruitment & retention

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Getting back to recruitment, I think Manly's greatest need is good ball players. That is players who can create opportunities for others. There has been a dearth of such talent at Manly for the past decade.

Ah, the glory days of Gifty, and Nik Kosef before him!

I actually think Nathan Brown has showed glimpses of being a good ball-playing forward, but he's not exactly the future as far as our pack goes. Outside of that, I know Lehi is not a forward but again I've seen some nice work as a ball player from him as well. I think his passing game is superior to Turbo's already and will only get better. And Brooks definitely has it in him - no-look passes, some lovely sleight of hand - even though we haven't seen an awful lot of it this year.

 

[jbb/james]

Of course.

Bozo isn't here now to respond, but do you consider him a troll? Constantly battering everyone with repetitious posts, dominating so many threads. And refusing or avoiding any engagement with counterarguments?

There's many types of trolling, and certainly can lead to blowups. Everyone knows 'don't feed the trolls' (but now I think about it, we also know 'avoid unhealthy snacks' ... sometimes easier said than done)

Look maybe, no doubt your point is valid
I saw it as misguided exuberance and as such probably couldnt call him a troll

He is unflappable in a very flappable way and has his own style, is the king or cut n paste but for all of his antics i still think people go overboard . Just me

But he is “one of them “ a DCE lover . Pfffft

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I saw it as misguided exuberance and as such probably couldnt call him a troll

I agree with you that someone's intent is probably relevant to whether or not they'd be classified as a troll.
As for our absent Silvertails feathered fiend, who knows what his intent is in posting in that style?
(I guess when he comes back you could ask him! You might get an answer)(Maybe!?)

 

[Disco]

I'm sure he wouldnt be keen as probably fancies himself a half but what about Sandon Smith as a one/two punch with Simpkin.

Also providing half depth.

If we were talking Da Silva surely Smith wouldn't be more

 

[XV-1]

I'm sure he wouldnt be keen as probably fancies himself a half but what about Sandon Smith as a one/two punch with Simpkin.

Also providing half depth.

If we were talking Da Silva surely Smith wouldn't be more

You really don't want our young upcoming half's to stay.

Yea, great idea to sign another half. We don't need forwards.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

You really don't want our young upcoming half's to stay.

Yea, great idea to sign another half. We don't need forwards.

We don’t need halves

We DO need forwards , badly !!

 

[jbb/james]

I agree with you that someone's intent is probably relevant to whether or not they'd be classified as a troll.
As for our absent Silvertails feathered fiend, who knows what his intent is in posting in that style?
(I guess when he comes back you could ask him! You might get an answer)(Maybe!?)

i would stick up for you too , and for years you went on and on and on about dce being a top notch half , more ramblings lol
Had to get in first

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

i would stick up for you too , and for years you went on and on and on about dce being a top notch half , more ramblings lol
Had to get in first

Touche!
Hey at least I didn't use all caps

 

[ManlyTragic]

Bozo is a good hearted man , he messaged me many times during my cancer battle a few years ago BUT he’s exceptionally frustrating to debate anything with , preferring to use yet again another meme to refute anything you say ( not actually engage in a discussion).

And him dominating threads with constant meaningless memes is incredibly boring.

I hate to see long standing members leave but I’d blocked him a while ago and I expect that I’m far from the only one who did so.

Bring back Bozo!

Can I start a thread!

Just sayin’

 

[double hoops]

I'm sure he wouldnt be keen as probably fancies himself a half but what about Sandon Smith as a one/two punch with Simpkin.

Also providing half depth.

If we were talking Da Silva surely Smith wouldn't be more

Love. I just like the style of half Smith is. More that speedy running threat. Young, but now finding his feet at NRL level. Halves Hooker it's just yes please.

 

[Disco]

You really don't want our young upcoming half's to stay.

Yea, great idea to sign another half. We don't need forwards.

Sorry even re-reading my post it seems to be clear to me that I'm referring to signing him as a hooker.

The hint would be referring to a 1-2 punch with Simpkin and referring to halves cover.

We are clearly looking at hooker as per Da Silva and that doesnt me forwards cant be addressed.

 

[XV-1]

Sorry even re-reading my post it seems to be clear to me that I'm referring to signing him as a hooker.

The hint would be referring to a 1-2 punch with Simpkin and referring to halves cover.

We are clearly looking at hooker as per Da Silva and that doesnt me forwards cant be addressed.

Yes i read that. He is a half. You support another turn a good half into a hooker. That has been a great success so far - not.

You seem to think Smith would jump at the chance to become a back up hooker. 🤔 🫣

 

[Disco]

Yes i read that. He is a half. You support another turn a good half into a hooker. That has been a great success so far - not.

You seem to think Smith would jump at the chance 🤔 🫣

Did you read me lead with 'I'm sure he wouldnt be keen as probably fancies himself a half'?

Is that indicative of my thinking he'd jump at the chance?

The point was its worth an enquiry to see where its all at, he is on the outer at the Roosters, he may be keen for a permanent top 17 spot, he may not but he has played plenty of time at first grade at hooker.

But if you'd prefer Croker or or Gordie sure

 

[XV-1]

Did you read me lead with 'I'm sure he wouldnt be keen as probably fancies himself a half'?

Is that indicative of my thinking he'd jump at the chance?

The point was its worth an enquiry to see where its all at, he is on the outer at the Roosters, he may be keen for a permanent top 17 spot, he may not but he has played plenty of time at first grade at hooker.

But if you'd prefer Croker or or Gordie sure

I am ok with Simpkin. If Croker doesn't play next year, yep we need to look for a real hooker. Someone young.

 

[Phobia]

Because you took one look at what was posted didn't give it any further or detailed thought, proudly admitted to the forum that you 'didnt bother watching it because it looks like AI generated stuff (well done Sherlock) but then proceeded to comment on it without reviewing or considering it for reflection.

Those are the actions of a dullard more aligned with swimming within the safety of the school, than someone offering thoughtful reaction or considered conversation.

This comes from a place of morals. I am heavily opposed to AI in editing positions as someone who often creates and edits videos using the necessary manual methods. It applies across fields into photography too. It's a repulsion from someone simply not having the effort or authenticity to do what everyone else has to.

This is also based upon the questionable legality of this person stealing other people's articles and photos, proceeding to edit them into AI generated videos as to avoid copyright filters, and then passing it off as his own work.

He doesn't even bother to fact check. It had several facts wrong within the first minute or so of the video. The Moses to Roosters rumour was completely unsubstituted by Hooper, with no other source/journalist corroborating that story. Hooper effectively changed his choice of words to indicate that the rumour he started was a fact like gravity. As indicated here before, we have a grand total of four Issac Moses players at our club, which can be easily determined, and yet the video instead simply copies what a highly SSO ranked Fox League article said, likely the first result.

I simply cannot get behind that. It's lazy, unethical, and goes beyond fair use. Why should he be able to avoid the processes everyone else has to undergo? He doesn't use his face or real persona when doing these things, and hence cannot be held accountable. The rest of us in the broader field are.

 

[Rafferty]

I'm sure he wouldnt be keen as probably fancies himself a half but what about Sandon Smith as a one/two punch with Simpkin.

Also providing half depth.

If we were talking Da Silva surely Smith wouldn't be more

Think his D could be an issue in that role, I’m not fan, has talent for sure, but durability would be another concern, I have my doubts his career will stand the test of time at 6, were he gets looked after, surviving and thriving in the middle, thats a different story.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I was in Moree ( hometown ) last weekend and ran into some good friends of my daughters whose son is on a Rugby Scholarship at Nudgee College in Brisbane.

For those unaware Nudgee is considered THE elite Rugby GPS school in Queensland.

Their son is only in year 10 so not eligible for the “ First XV” until next year but they said ( knowing I was a Sea Eagles fan ) that we’d signed what was considered “ the best “ running forward in the GPS competition from last year whose name is Hugo Hart.

Apparently the Wallabies are incensed as he was being targeted to fast track into the Reds system with a view to being in the Wallabies top 30 fairly soon.

Anyway that’s all I know , but apparently he’s a real gun , and is down in our system already.

@Smokin Joe are you aware of this young fella ??

News like this shows me the club are in fact headed in the right direction , but obviously no guarantee he transitions , or is any sort of success BUT it’s a step in the right direction.

 

[Disco]

I was in Moree ( hometown ) last weekend and ran into some good friends of my daughters whose son is on a Rugby Scholarship at Nudgee College in Brisbane.

For those unaware Nudgee is considered THE elite Rugby GPS school in Queensland.

Their son is only in year 10 so not eligible for the “ First XV” until next year but they said ( knowing I was a Sea Eagles fan ) that we’d signed what was considered “ the best “ running forward in the GPS competition from last year whose name is Hugo Hart.

Apparently the Wallabies are incensed as he was being targeted to fast track into the Reds system with a view to being in the Wallabies top 30 fairly soon.

Anyway that’s all I know , but apparently he’s a real gun , and is down in our system already.

@Smokin Joe are you aware of this young fella ??

News like this shows me the club are in fact headed in the right direction , but obviously no guarantee he transitions , or is any sort of success BUT it’s a step in the right direction.

Has already pushed through to a handful of NSW cup games this year.

Pretty highly rated I believe