2026 recruitment & retention

[mickqld]

I remember a player by the name of Vic Mauro, who happens to be a premiership winning player. If he walked on the street today I bet no one would recognise him because of the sort of player Manly used to bring through back in the day which was an underrated and underappreciated part of their success. We don't bring these type of players through now.
We don't seem to give these type of players a chance anymore...the OJ Cunningham, Vic Mauro, Jamie Buhrer. These guys played an important role in the team. Instead we only let them have ago if they show immediate talent as a superstar. The worker type no frills player is given the flick and replaced by the 30+ injury prone journeyman.

Those sort of players Hall, Rodney, Horo, Cunningham, Mauro, Bryant, Buhrer were elevated by the stars that surrounded them. Put them in as front line and they would not be as effective. We have no stars like Lyon, Orford, Matai, Snake, Choc, Gift, Kite, to elevate the current crop.

 

[Peter C]

I remember a player by the name of Vic Mauro, who happens to be a premiership winning player. If he walked on the street today I bet no one would recognise him because of the sort of player Manly used to bring through back in the day which was an underrated and underappreciated part of their success. We don't bring these type of players through now.
We don't seem to give these type of players a chance anymore...the OJ Cunningham, Vic Mauro, Jamie Buhrer. These guys played an important role in the team. Instead we only let them have ago if they show immediate talent as a superstar. The worker type no frills player is given the flick and replaced by the 30+ injury prone journeyman.

Vic's a grest guy, we were at a function in Leeds and Vic come up to me to introduce himself and says " Hi I'm Vic" and I said " Vic , you certainly don't need an introduction"

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Those sort of players Hall, Rodney, Horo, Cunningham, Mauro, Bryant, Buhrer were elevated by the stars that surrounded them. Put them in as front line and they would not be as effective. We have no stars like Lyon, Orford, Matai, Snake, Choc, Gift, Kite, to elevate the current crop.

Thats true. The culture was built around a group of individuals , whereas more recent its been built around one player.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Vic's a grest guy, we were at a function in Leeds and Vic come up to me to introduce himself and says " Hi I'm Vic" and I said " Vic , you certainly don't need an introduction"
View attachment 31099

Only the diehard Manly fans would recognise him and thats no disrespect to Vic either.

 

[Scorpio]

Those sort of players Hall, Rodney, Horo, Cunningham, Mauro, Bryant, Buhrer were elevated by the stars that surrounded them. Put them in as front line and they would not be as effective. We have no stars like Lyon, Orford, Matai, Snake, Choc, Gift, Kite, to elevate the current crop.

This is my attitude whenever we lose a match and someone on Silvertails asserts that no Manly player would play first grade elsewhere... nearly every year there are average first graders that win premiership rings by playing their role in a great team.

 

[bob dylan]

What about Talakai. Hard runner off the bench , can play forwards or centre. Sh*t defender though and gets gassed quickly.

He'd fit in.

 

[madmax]

Hopefully we can dodge Klemmer, Jack Bird and Royce Hunt.

Just imagine those three with Waddell, Burbo and whoever at 9.

Royce hunt has mongrel & is a pretty good prop!

 

[double hoops]

I remember a player by the name of Vic Mauro, who happens to be a premiership winning player. If he walked on the street today I bet no one would recognise him because of the sort of player Manly used to bring through back in the day which was an underrated and underappreciated part of their success. We don't bring these type of players through now.
We don't seem to give these type of players a chance anymore...the OJ Cunningham, Vic Mauro, Jamie Buhrer. These guys played an important role in the team. Instead we only let them have ago if they show immediate talent as a superstar. The worker type no frills player is given the flick and replaced by the 30+ injury prone journeyman.

Agree. It takes a squad to win a comp. And the ability of your worst player doing a job is just as important as that of your best.

 

[SeaEagleSI1]

Manly Sea Eagles
SEA EAGLES 2026 PLAYER MOVEMENTS

2026 GAINS

Jamal Fogarty (Canberra Raiders, 2028)

2026 LOSSES

Jake Arthur (released), Aitasi James(released), Toafofoa Sipley (Warrington Wolves), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield Trinity)

RE-SIGNED

Ethan Bullemor (2029), Clayton Faulalo(2027), Corey Waddell (2027)

OFF CONTRACT 2025

Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Daly Cherry-Evans, Dean Matterson, Aaron Schoupp, Tommy Talau, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega

1. Lehi Hopoate
2. Reuben Garrick
3. Tom Trbojevic
4. Tolutau Koula
5. Jason Saab
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Josh Aloiai ?
9. Lachlan Croker ?
10. Taniela Paseka
11. Ben Trbojevic
12. Haumole Olakau'atu
13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Jake Simpkin
15. Corey Waddell
16. Nathan Brown
17. Ethan Bullemor

18. Simione Laiafi
19. Joey Walsh
20. Paul Bryan
21. Clayon Faulalo
22. Caleb Navale
23. No player signed.
24. No player signed.
25. No player signed.
26. No player signed.
27. No player signed.
28. No player signed.
29. No player signed.
30. No player signed.

Roster spots open: 8

2026 development list
1. Zaidas Muagututia
2. D'Jazirhae Pua'Avase
3. Hugo Hart
4. Onitoni Large

Navren Willett and Zaidas Muagututia
i think top 30 next year or maybe the year after

Talks with
Siosiua Taukeiaho 1 year
Tommy Talau 1 year

Rumors
Blake Wilson
Jake Turpin (hopefully not other options available)

Aloiai and Croker medical retirement?

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

This is my attitude whenever we lose a match and someone on Silvertails asserts that no Manly player would play first grade elsewhere... nearly every year there are average first graders that win premiership rings by playing their role in a great team.

Again, its about paying overs for a journeyman instead of a local who can probably do the same job at a much cheaper price.

 

[conanu]

How did we sign Waddell till 2027? it actually beggars belief!

 

[conanu]

I remember a player by the name of Vic Mauro, who happens to be a premiership winning player. If he walked on the street today I bet no one would recognise him because of the sort of player Manly used to bring through back in the day which was an underrated and underappreciated part of their success. We don't bring these type of players through now.
We don't seem to give these type of players a chance anymore...the OJ Cunningham, Vic Mauro, Jamie Buhrer. These guys played an important role in the team. Instead we only let them have ago if they show immediate talent as a superstar. The worker type no frills player is given the flick and replaced by the 30+ injury prone journeyman.

Barrett let Buhrer go and brought in Waddell and Lewis Brown. The impact of Barrett and his destruction of the Manly DNA in the club is still being felt. He was an atrocious signing as a coach. Tore apart whatever was left of that winning culture from 2008/2011 and turned us into mediocrity.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

How did we sign Waddell till 2027? it actually beggars belief!

Corey , as a cheap backup , isn’t bad value.

It’s when he’s a permanent member of the first grade squad that’s the issue.

 

[Phobia]

Corey , as a cheap backup , isn’t bad value.

It’s when he’s a permanent member of the first grade squad that’s the issue.

I largely agree, but there's a catch.

I do think Waddell has something to offer, but only in the middle. He's had a few good games there this year. He's not exceptional at the defensive contact, but he has a motor on him that is excellent for a bench lock/prop role. If he's in and out of the 17 in that role, we could do a lot worse.

Unfortunately, we have no other back up backrowers, so here we are with Corey playing as a woefully inadequate replacement for Haumole. That's not on him, that's on the recruitment team.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Barrett let Buhrer go and brought in Waddell and Lewis Brown. The impact of Barrett and his destruction of the Manly DNA in the club is still being felt. He was an atrocious signing as a coach. Tore apart whatever was left of that winning culture from 2008/2011 and turned us into mediocrity.

Hiring Barrett, no one was going to know how he was going to pan out. When Gus Gould and Bozo sings his praises prior , everyone thought he was going to be the next big thing....even myself.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Corey , as a cheap backup , isn’t bad value.

It’s when he’s a permanent member of the first grade squad that’s the issue.

Mark won't see this, (because he blocked me) but he hates it when I say give a junior a go instead. Mark doesn't mind a roster full of journeymen.

 

[Cochrane]

Reported on 100% Footy manly are not out of the race to sign hetherington of broncos.

They thought they had him, but he may want to come to Sydney for personal reasons and manly have upped the offer

 

[bob dylan]

Reported on 100% Footy manly are not out of the race to sign hetherington of broncos.

They thought they had him, but he may want to come to Sydney for personal reasons and manly have upped the offer

Fingers crossed.

Exactly the type of player we need.

 

[Phobia]

Reported on 100% Footy manly are not out of the race to sign hetherington of broncos.

They thought they had him, but he may want to come to Sydney for personal reasons and manly have upped the offer

Would be a great signing. We need workhorses, he fits the mould exactly.

I don't think there's anyone better who could've replaced Aloiai. Apparently Mooney was on $600k, so he'd have to take a pay cut to come here. Hetherington has a lot of potential, and has a good work ethic.

Theoretical Round 1 next year:

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hopoate
6. Brooks
7. Fogarty
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Haumole
12. Burbo
13. Jake
14. Talau / Turpin / Muagututia, some utility
15. Hetherington
16. Bullemor
17. Navale

That's a very modern and mobile pack, with some genuine young guns waiting in the wings. IMO Lodge starts, or doesn't play at all. He doesn't really suit the modern game, and I think the coaching staff caught onto this against the Dragons; 23 minutes.

Also could be a good substitute for Jake. Good defensive lock.

 

[Eagles4Life]

Would be a great signing. We need workhorses, he fits the mould exactly.

I don't think there's anyone better who could've replaced Aloiai. Apparently Mooney was on $600k, so he'd have to take a pay cut to come here. Hetherington has a lot of potential, and has a good work ethic.

Theoretical Round 1 next year:

1. Turbo
2. Saab
3. Koula
4. Garrick
5. Hopoate
6. Brooks
7. Fogarty
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Haumole
12. Burbo
13. Jake
14. Talau / Turpin / Muagututia, some utility
15. Hetherington
16. Bullemor
17. Navale

That's a very modern and mobile pack, with some genuine young guns waiting in the wings. IMO Lodge starts, or doesn't play at all. He doesn't really suit the modern game, and I think the coaching staff caught onto this against the Dragons; 23 minutes.

Also could be a good substitute for Jake. Good defensive lock.

1. Turbo
2. Garrick
3. Koula
4. Talau
5. Hopoate
6. Walsh
7. Fogarty
8. Paseka
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Haumole
12. Hetherington
13. Jake
14. Brooks
15. Lafifi
16. Bullemor
17. Navale
18. Burbo