2026 recruitment & retention

[Pete W]

How long is it ok for a player to be a ‘work in progress’ before you can say they just don’t have it?

Actual question, not saying he might not have something.

The quality wingers and centres generally hit their straps quite early on as their speed and athleticism is at peak performance in the early 20s. Those with more power generally still valuable as their bodies mature in terms of yardage gains, with some even moving into the forwards.

Saab, at 24, unfortunately has shown his ceiling. With his body type especially, signing him until 2029 was a ludicrous move given his inadequacy as a complete modern day winger. He'll never be able to play any other position, terrible getting out of our red zone, clumsy hands, and a poor defender.

Surely he must be the outside back we offload in order to better balance our roster

 

[Not Paul Kent]

The quality wingers and centres generally hit their straps quite early on as their speed and athleticism is at peak performance in the early 20s. Those with more power generally still valuable as their bodies mature in terms of yardage gains, with some even moving into the forwards.

Saab, at 24, unfortunately has shown his ceiling. With his body type especially, signing him until 2029 was a ludicrous move given his inadequacy as a complete modern day winger. He'll never be able to play any other position, terrible getting out of our red zone, clumsy hands, and a poor defender.

Surely he must be the outside back we offload in order to better balance our roster

I tend to agree with all of that!

 

[Cochrane]

Im interested in how he goes next year. His shortcomings are mainly his own doing, however he may be utilised more effectively with a halfback of a Fogarty type as Saab has always been a confidence type player.

Im hoping for a strong structured backline to replace the off the cuff/at times brilliant/often ineffectual/pass to Haumole flat-footed and hope he can make something of nothing type play that have plagued the backline for many years.

That is where I hope the skills of the like of Koula, lehi, Garrick can be more evident and utilise Saab more effectively including more pinpoint kicks on the goal line rather than 10m out.

 

[The Wheel]

Davy Moale released by the Wabbits. 22 years old, forward, played 70 NRL games available next season, surely worth a look???

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Davy Moale released by the Wabbits. 22 years old, forward, played 70 NRL games available next season, surely worth a look???

Where did you get the advice on Moale?

From the Mole?

 

[The Wheel]

Where did you get the advice on Moale?

From the Mole?

Even better Zero Tackle

 

[JakeyB789]

Ideal type of signing for us but probably similar to Mooney in being one of those younger forwards we talk about targeting but never do, I don’t think our recruitment team would even know who he is.

 

[Ohgeez]

Hasn’t been at his best this year but 100% improves us. Get it done manly

 

[The Who]

Even better Zero TackleView attachment 31078

Holy Moale!
I love the idea of having Guacca and Holy in the same pack.

 

[Pete W]

Hasn’t been at his best this year but 100% improves us. Get it done manly

Being reported that Cowboys and Eels interested. No mention of Manly, which obviously doesn't surprise

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Article about Tom & Jake:

What’s a fair price for Manly to pay for Tom and Jake Trbojevic?

 

[The '47ers]

Hasn’t been at his best this year but 100% improves us. Get it done manly

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/southern-courier/davvy-moale-pplater-nrl-star-caught-driving-bmw-while-suspended/news-story/a6a98645009644481f64734eede7083f

Might be having off field troubles but I agree, worth a shot

 

[double hoops]

How long is it ok for a player to be a ‘work in progress’ before you can say they just don’t have it?

Actual question, not saying he might not have something.

Tough one.

Like you I am frustrated with the slowness of his development.

To be fair he has improved in some areas or to some degree anyway, but he clearly knows his weaknesses and is actively looking to improve hence that boxing, and adding some weight.

I would not have been playing Saab in first grade for the last couple of months.

But I believe he is contracted for many years yet at Man. So might as well develop some more.

His speed and height does give him some grace.

But do I think he will always look a little timid with contact, his height almost useless on account of not being able to jump, and to timid or just doesn't know how to use his body in the air.

Yes I do.

But he is still young. I actually hope he proves me wrong if he's still at Manly.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

I'd say they saw his potential right after the 16 first graders they were resting moved out of the way.

 

[The Insomniac]

Being reported that Cowboys and Eels interested. No mention of Manly, which obviously doesn't surprise

There never is Pete.

 

[Leighbra]

Davy Moale released by the Wabbits. 22 years old, forward, played 70 NRL games available next season, surely worth a look???

Would be a perfect replacement for Sips and Aloiai with much more upside, these are the kind of signings we need, I wouldn't think he would be asking for a big money deal surely, he would take on Sips wage maybe a tad more. get it done Manly

 

[Ohgeez]

Would be a perfect replacement for Sips and Aloiai with much more upside, this are the kind of signings we need, I wouldn't think he would be asking for a big money deal surely, he would take on Sips wage maybe a tad more. get it done Manly

Bunnies fans are saying he’s on $500k. We’d probably have to offer $600k+ to beat out rival clubs that are desperate for props. Not great value but we definitely need a Josh A replacement & he’s young enough to still go up a few levels.

 

[MW66]

Wouldn't mind Moale however I don't think we have $600k in the kitty. A couple of middles/props to consider that may be in our range: Crosby from warriors was rumoured a few months ago, Hetherington from the Knights is being let go and there was some conjecture we tried to swap him for Arthurs (not Bryan), Kit Laulilii form Tigers NSW Cup and Viliame Fifita (ex Eagle at Dragons).

 

[Leighbra]

Bunnies fans are saying he’s on $500k. We’d probably probably have to offer $600k+ to beat out rival clubs that are desperate for props. Not great value but we definitely need a Josh A replacement & he’s young enough to still go up a few levels.

600k yeah that hurts, I mean he is young and could kick on, but he hasn't really dominated week in week out during his 70 games. Don't know if I'd be happy spending that much on him, I was thinking 300/350.. Im just sick of us chasing old ****ty players, Turpin, Klemmer, Brown, Taukeiaho etc I'd love for us to get a young to middle age forward that excites me to see where they can go.

 

[Ohgeez]

Wouldn't mind Moale however I don't think we have $600k in the kitty. A couple of middles/props to consider that may be in our range: Crosby from warriors was rumoured a few months ago, Hetherington from the Knights is being let go and there was some conjecture we tried to swap him for Arthurs (not Bryan), Kit Laulilii form Tigers NSW Cup and Viliame Fifita (ex Eagle at Dragons).

Is Kit being shopped around or is that just a suggestion? He dominated our NSW Cup pack up earlier in the year. Would be good to see him or Crosby here next season