2026 recruitment & retention

[Terry Zarsoff]

I heard a rumour we are interested in the 21 year old back rower from Penrith Harrison Hassett. Only heard it from a mate that supports Panthers so I couldn’t say 100% if it’s true or not. Can anyone that has some inside knowledge confirm this?

He is also related to Lindsay and Frank Hassett.

 

[Nambawan]

Six forwards out and still we beat STG and the Phins. Yes, we need good, mobile forwards but for me our backs are among the best in the comp. It's easy to bleat about what we have but OK, realistically, who should Manly target to get the forward pack up to scratch?

Really looking forward to seeing Joey Walsh run out, even if he only gets 10 mins or so. Jamal Fogarty is 31 and Brooks is 30. Also keeping Hugo Hart on contract is great. Talau off contract this year - I think his utility value makes him a keeper. I have concerns with Lachlan Croker - I see him as a key forward (a dummy-half who can kick 40/20s - geez!) but concussion issues a worry. Life's bigger than footy. No, really, it is. 😀

IMO Croker is definitely NOT a keeper. His stodgy, non penetrative play at dummy-half is one of the main reasons for Manly's failure to compete effectively over recent seasons.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

Hopefully we get hetherington. We should have gone harder for Crosby as well. I reckon he has a big future ahead of him

Kobe or Jack?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Jake Turpin was offered a train and trial deal - so understandable he knocked it back.

Ah that makes sense

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Kobe or Jack?

Kobe

 

[C_Eagle31]

Kobe or Jack?

Jack would be a dreadful signing. Dude gets suspended or binned every 5 minutes

 

[Sheikheagle]

Jake Turpin was offered a train and trial deal - so understandable he knocked it back.

Are we talking to anyone half decent?

 

[Bomb Voyage]

Are we talking to anyone half decent?

Kobe. A few other irons in the fire but no A listers

 

[Sheikheagle]

Kobe. A few other irons in the fire but no A listers

Kobe would be a good get. Why did he change his mind re staying in Brisbane?

 

[Bomb Voyage]

Kobe. A few other irons in the fire but no A listers

I think it’s more we are going a bit harder money wise which is making him reconsider

 

[Sheikheagle]

I think it’s more we are going a bit harder money wise which is making him reconsider

We need some good news 😢

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Jake Turpin was offered a train and trial deal - so understandable he knocked it back.

Thank the lord!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I think it’s more we are going a bit harder money wise which is making him reconsider

He would be pretty suitable for us , no superstar but a good hard worker.

We probably don’t have an awful lot of cap space spare but hopefully it’s good enough to jag at least 1 decent player.

 

[Cochrane]

Also maybe Turpin and other players don't want to sign more than 1 year with a new club coming in and all teams managing their roster to cater for this in the next 12 months

 

[Eagle 1]

Also maybe Turpin and other players don't want to sign more than 1 year with a new club coming in and all teams managing their roster to cater for this in the next 12 months

Good sign on money to be had when the Bears and PNG come a calling in 27 & 28 respectively.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Good sign on money to be had when the Bears and PNG come a calling in 27 & 28 respectively.

Yes the next two years us going to be very interesting in the player market.

Although if you remember even Bennett had trouble with the Fins ( getting quality players ).

 

[spider]

Ridiculous overreaction, and unfortunately I think this opinion is quite common.

We have a good crop of recruited and developed juniors, just about ready to make their NRL debuts next year. We are largely losing a few fringe players, and we're replacing them with this younger lot. Our biggest loss is DCE, who's had a shockingly bad year, and we're replacing him with the likely Dally M halfback of the year, who may be coming off a premiership.

We still have players of incredible talent in Turbo, Haumole, Hoppa, etc.

The return of Paseka next year will feel like signing a brand new A-class front rower. This year has affirmed to me how underrated he is. It may not make much sense, but his presence created most of the space for us out wide.

Anyway, for the sake of comparison, let's see who our replacements are this coming off-season. NRL squad only.

Upgrades:

DCE -> Fogarty. Upgrade, based on 2025 form. DCE's had a shocker.

Josh Aloiai -> Kobe Hetherington (likely). I don't mind Aloiai, but Kobe is more versatile, younger, and is more reliable. Upgrade.

Jazz Tevaga -> Caleb Navale. Long term upgrade.

GCKT -> Zaidas Muagututia. Long term upgrade. We really need Muagututia to develop well.

Jake Arthur -> Walsh. Upgrade.

Schoupp -> Blake Wilson. Wilson has a higher ceiling, played more NRL in recent years than Schoupp. Upgrade.

Aitasi James -> Laiafi. Long term upgrade.

Ray Vaega -> Nav Willett. Long term upgrade.

Matterson and MCK's roster spots will likely be replaced by Pua'avase and Hart, due to the June 30 Top 30 deadline. Also upgrades.

Sidegrades:
Toff Sipley -> Matt Lodge.

Downgrades:
Croker -> No one.

This is our biggest problem IMO. Missing out on Turpin isn't bad, but there is basically no one else out there.

So in total, about 10 upgrades on current roster positions, one sidegrade, and someone who hasn't been replaced yet. I don't see how we can suddenly become a spoon team, without a really poor injury year. On paper, we are better IMO.

My thinking is Croker> Zaidas and GCKT> Ashton Large ?

 

[eaglebuzz]

My thinking is Croker> Zaidas and GCKT> Ashton Large ?

I don't think Ashton Large is anywhere near old enough to be in the top 30. But in the future, sure.

 

[TheEagle]

Kobe. A few other irons in the fire but no A listers

Do you expect the club to chase some big fish come November 1?

 

[Phobia]

My thinking is Croker> Zaidas and GCKT> Ashton Large ?

I think Large is 17 next year, and can only join Top 30 in 2027.

Given we couldn't even play 17-year-old Onitoni in a trial match, I don't think he's getting a shot until that year.