2026 recruitment & retention

[double hoops]

The fact he's been one of our better forwards at the back end of the season shows just how bad we are. We need better players, not more of the same.

 

[double hoops]

Every time I open this thread I am hoping there is a strong rumor or maybe an announcement that we have signed someone decent to bolster our stocks for 2026.

Alas another day I get disappointed

Ditto. We can only hope one day to our surprise.

 

[Jerry1]

I don't see any hope for next year either. Again, top half of the bottom eight or bottom of the top eight. Mediocre players, sub par coach & owners who want us to run around with rainbows on our jerseys.

 

[Scorpio]

Every time I open this thread I am hoping there is a strong rumor or maybe an announcement that we have signed someone decent to bolster our stocks for 2026.

Alas another day I get disappointed

If Josh Aloiai and/or Jake T get medically retired, then there's $500k - $1.5m of space in the salary cap for 2026... But until that gets finalised we can't really sign any big targets as we're otherwise only moving on players on modest coin, who have to be replaced by players on similar salaries.

There would be the difference between DCE and Fogarty's salary to spend, but that in itself is not enough for major signings.

 

[R3]

I might take this back later.. but for the sake of my morning caffeine hit- Let’s go!

I’m wondering what it would take to have Sandon Smith join Manly for 1 year- before he cashes in on the Bears 2027 offer.
No Brooks or DCE,
Just Fogarty and Smith in the halves for 2026.

Tony Large and Joey Walsh can prime themselves for the take over in 2027

If large or Walsh are ready for next year, I’m stoked with that too.

Basically I’m keen to refresh BOTH our halves asap..

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Politis is committed to the core, not just rich. Lifetime association and under his guise he is building a club that will last long after he goes

Like him , hate him, roosters whatever. He is a NRL LEGEND

100% , it’s almost the reason he exists for , how I wish we had him.

 

[MW66]

I too keep clicking on here in the hope for some signing news. Looking at potential links/players available the pot seems pretty dry: Crosby, Brayley (Jaiden), Hetherington (Knights not Broncos), Hamlin-Uele, Garner, Hassett. Any others?

 

[Disco]

We will have some signing news announced within the next week

Still confident Bomb?

 

[Bomb Voyage]

Still confident Bomb?

TBH, it was meant to be early in the week, so already late. Less confident now.

 

[Disco]

TBH, it was meant to be early in the week, so already late. Less confident now.

Sounds like a ticking time bo.........I'll see myself out.

 

[MW66]

TBH, it was meant to be early in the week, so already late. Less confident now.

Depressed!!

 

[Bomb Voyage]

Yeah it’s all a bit grim

 

[double hoops]

I see it is being reported the Dragons and Bulldogs are set to make big plays for Tino. How is our Manly $$$ looking. Because the dogs show zero signs of NOT having money to burn. $$$ get it done. At Manly the club will roll out a fluffy piece re resigning Jake and Turbo. That will keep the memberships renewing for another year.

 

[Cliffycomeback]

I see it is being reported the Dragons and Bulldogs are set to make big plays for Tino. How is our Manly $$$ looking. Because the dogs show zero signs of NOT having money to burn. $$$ get it done. At Manly the club will roll out a fluffy piece re resigning Jake and Turbo. That will keep the memberships renewing for another year.

I don't think a Jake and Turbo signing is going to get it done this time. As it's stands, no one in my households will be renewing next year and if the club announces the signing of two Manly loving brothers who are on the decline as big signing news, it will only strengthen our resolve.

 

[The Insomniac]

I see it is being reported the Dragons and Bulldogs are set to make big plays for Tino. How is our Manly $$$ looking. Because the dogs show zero signs of NOT having money to burn. $$$ get it done. At Manly the club will roll out a fluffy piece re resigning Jake and Turbo. That will keep the memberships renewing for another year.

You gotta wonder how the Bulldogs stay inside the cap. They have become the new Roosters with their bottomless salary Sumbrero. To quote one of our famous legends " there needs to be an investigation " !!!!!

 

[madmax]

I see it is being reported the Dragons and Bulldogs are set to make big plays for Tino. How is our Manly $$$ looking. Because the dogs show zero signs of NOT having money to burn. $$$ get it done. At Manly the club will roll out a fluffy piece re resigning Jake and Turbo. That will keep the memberships renewing for another year.

Bulldogs after Tino lololol…..oh but wait he’ll go there for less dollars coz Gould & Ciraldo are there. How they can be under the salary cap with the players they have & that are signed for 2026 is mind boggling! Leo Thompson won’t be cheap. Apparently Crichton only on $800k….whilst Galvin on $750k yeah right. How about Burton, Kikau?? They must be on small salaries also. It’s a joke……

 

[Nordburg]

Bulldogs after Tino lololol…..oh but wait he’ll go there for less dollars coz Gould & Ciraldo are there. How they can be under the salary cap with the players they have & that are signed for 2026 is mind boggling! Leo Thompson won’t be cheap. Apparently Crichton only on $800k….whilst Galvin on $750k yeah right. How about Burton, Kikau?? They must be on small salaries also. It’s a joke……

I think it’s a joke that anyone believes the Dogs are actually going to make an offer.Its all part of the plan to up the Perth offer.Until Gould says they have no interest in him or says he hasn’t spoken to Tino,he won’t be heading to Belmore

 

[Cliffy's Jockstrap]

TBH I am getting a bit concerned about the amount of NRL experience we are losing or prospectively losing next year, and not much by way of replacement currently in sight. Starting to get a bad feeling about this!

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

TBH I am getting a bit concerned about the amount of NRL experience we are losing or prospectively losing next year, and not much by way of replacement currently in sight. Starting to get a bad feeling about this!

Think of it as a refreshing change. Last couple of years we've been moaning about having too much experience and not enough youth.

 

[double hoops]

TBH I am getting a bit concerned about the amount of NRL experience we are losing or prospectively losing next year, and not much by way of replacement currently in sight. Starting to get a bad feeling about this!

I agree until I see replacements.

Like you, I fear the club will go from one extreme to the next. I from from old and slow dinosaurs, to all younger and dumber kids in a development year.

It's a balance that is needed always.