2026 recruitment & retention

[aidan]

Manly team 2026

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Caleb Navale
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Nathan Brown
18. Matt Lodge
19. Corey Waddell
20. Blake Wilson
21. Joey Walsh
22. Zach Dockar-Clay
23. Clayton Faulalo
24. Navren Willett
25. Zaidas Muagututia
26. Simione Laiafi
27. Paul Bryan
28. Onitoni Large
29. Aaron Schoupp?

Development:

1. D’Jazirhae Pua'avase
2. Hugo Hart

Departing:

1. Toff Sipley
2. Jazz Tevaga
3. Josh Aloiai
4. Lachlan Croker
5. Daly Cherry Evans
6. Ray Vaega
7. Jake Arthur
8. Aitasi James
9. Dean Matterson
10. Gordan Chan Kum Tong
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Tommy Talau

Didn’t know exactly which thread to post this in, but this is the most updated/recent list I’ve put together of our squad for next year, including the players leaving at the end of this season.

I’ve tried to make the team as realistic as possible to what I think Seibold will select for Round 1 in 2026, not just based on my personal opinions.

The only real uncertainty I’ve got is around Schoupp — not sure if he’s signed on as top 30, development, or train-and-trial. I’ve also assumed Croker will be departing, either via medical retirement or general retirement depending on the review of his concussion issues.

Let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong or missed someone.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Wow I thought he was only a kid

His kid brother is 18 year old Papi.

 

[Brookie1973]

Each to their own mate but I think we need a grub in our pack.

Outside Haumole we have zero intimidation.

Just my opinion and I’m not always right.

You’re wrong mate, you’re always right.

 

[Rackets]

Manly team 2026

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Caleb Navale
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Nathan Brown
18. Matt Lodge
19. Corey Waddell
20. Blake Wilson
21. Joey Walsh
22. Zach Dockar-Clay
23. Clayton Faulalo
24. Navren Willett
25. Zaidas Muagututia
26. Simione Laiafi
27. Paul Bryan
28. Onitoni Large
29. Aaron Schoupp?

Development:

1. D’Jazirhae Pua'avase
2. Hugo Hart

Departing:

1. Toff Sipley
2. Jazz Tevaga
3. Josh Aloiai
4. Lachlan Croker
5. Daly Cherry Evans
6. Ray Vaega
7. Jake Arthur
8. Aitasi James
9. Dean Matterson
10. Gordan Chan Kum Tong
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Tommy Talau

Didn’t know exactly which thread to post this in, but this is the most updated/recent list I’ve put together of our squad for next year, including the players leaving at the end of this season.

I’ve tried to make the team as realistic as possible to what I think Seibold will select for Round 1 in 2026, not just based on my personal opinions.

The only real uncertainty I’ve got is around Schoupp — not sure if he’s signed on as top 30, development, or train-and-trial. I’ve also assumed Croker will be departing, either via medical retirement or general retirement depending on the review of his concussion issues.

Let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong or missed someone.

Was Chris Patolo one that was brought over from the dogs a top 30 or development player?

 

[Phobia]

Manly team 2026

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Caleb Navale
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Nathan Brown
18. Matt Lodge
19. Corey Waddell
20. Blake Wilson
21. Joey Walsh
22. Zach Dockar-Clay
23. Clayton Faulalo
24. Navren Willett
25. Zaidas Muagututia
26. Simione Laiafi
27. Paul Bryan
28. Onitoni Large
29. Aaron Schoupp?

Development:

1. D’Jazirhae Pua'avase
2. Hugo Hart

Departing:

1. Toff Sipley
2. Jazz Tevaga
3. Josh Aloiai
4. Lachlan Croker
5. Daly Cherry Evans
6. Ray Vaega
7. Jake Arthur
8. Aitasi James
9. Dean Matterson
10. Gordan Chan Kum Tong
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Tommy Talau

Didn’t know exactly which thread to post this in, but this is the most updated/recent list I’ve put together of our squad for next year, including the players leaving at the end of this season.

I’ve tried to make the team as realistic as possible to what I think Seibold will select for Round 1 in 2026, not just based on my personal opinions.

The only real uncertainty I’ve got is around Schoupp — not sure if he’s signed on as top 30, development, or train-and-trial. I’ve also assumed Croker will be departing, either via medical retirement or general retirement depending on the review of his concussion issues.

Let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong or missed someone.

This looks right to me.

For the sake of comparison, this is how the same list looked in Hasler's 4th season, 2022:

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Brad Parker
4. Morgan Harper
5. Reuben Garrick
6. Kieran Foran
7. DCE
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Marty Taupau
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Andrew Davey
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Dylan Walker
15. Josh Aloiai
16. Sean Keppie
17. Josh Schuster
18. Christian Tuipulotu
19. Tolu Koula
20. Karl Lawton
21. Taniela Paseka
22. Toff Sipley
23. Ethan Bullemor
24. Jorge Taufua
25. Morgan Boyle
26. Ben Trbojevic
27. Zac Fulton
28. Alec Tu'itavake
29. Kaeo Weekes

I've tried to correlate this into a direct like for like comparison between the changes. Obviously it isn't perfect at times... But who is ultimately better?

The cap has increased, but so have player salaries including the Turbos.

Outs vs Ins. Who is better?

DCE vs Fogarty
Foran vs Brooks
Walker vs Brown
Aloiai vs Taukeiaho
Croker vs Simpkin
Schuster vs Walsh
Weekes vs Hopoate
Parker vs Schoupp
Tuipulotu vs Faulalo
Taupau vs Lodge
Lawton vs ZDC
Sipley vs Hetherington
Davey vs Waddell
Keppie vs Navale
Harper vs Wilson
Taufua vs Willett
Fulton vs Large (yeah I know)
Tu'itavake vs Laiafi
Boyle (what happened to him?) vs Bryan

For me, DCE, Foran, Walker, Parker, Tuipulotu and Lawton are the only better "like for like" players, that we have lost. I think we have upgraded on everyone else.

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

I would think with Aloiai’s departure we could afford an additional premium forward in addition to Hetherington.

 

[eggson]

Can’t wait for the competition for spots line to be trotted out again.

 

[Rocky]

I would think with Aloiai’s departure we could afford an additional premium forward in addition to Hetherington.

Are you talking 2026? Because I would say Aloiai was on $500k -$600k and Hetherington would have signed for similar.
The other guys leaving won't open up a lot of money, considering you need to sign someone in their place.

2027 will be a different story

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I would think with Aloiai’s departure we could afford an additional premium forward in addition to Hetherington.

Possibly...
DCE was reported to have signed for under a million on his current deal, and replaced by Fogarty on possibly 700 or 750k, so there maybe 200k or so change there.
But all the rest of those departing?

from the list @aidan wrote (below) all were on minimum or fairly low coin, and all have to be replaced!
Croker maybe the most expensive and he's not even confirmed leaving (yet)

Departing:

Toff Sipley
Jazz Tevaga
Josh Aloiai
Lachlan Croker
Daly Cherry Evans
Ray Vaega
Jake Arthur
Aitasi James
Dean Matterson
Gordan Chan Kum Tong
Michael Chee Kam
Tommy Talau

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I would think with Aloiai’s departure we could afford an additional premium forward in addition to Hetherington.

I’m hoping for that as well , and let’s face it the off season market really hasn’t even started yet , plenty of time to add one more.

 

[Not Paul Kent]

Would he be train trial
Was he on that at the chookies

I think he is an upgrade on gorden but his used by date is not long

Remember when everyone on here used to say Gordon was a future star? 🫠

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Remember when everyone on here used to say Gordon was a future star? 🫠

Just goes to show that maybe after all we aren’t experts !!

It always amuses me when prior to a game “ why isn’t player XYX chosen instead of player ABC”.

We don’t see,

How they train
How they interact with teammates
How their skill levels are going ( or not )

What we do see

How they go on the field in reserves

And as we know , not every player is ready , able or has the ability to succeed in first grade.

 

[nightster]

Manly team 2026

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jason Saab
3. Tolu Koula
4. Reuben Garrick
5. Lehi Hopoate
6. Luke Brooks
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Taniela Paseka
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Siua Taukeiaho
11. Haumole Olakau'atu
12. Ben Trbojevic
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Caleb Navale
15. Ethan Bullemor
16. Kobe Hetherington
17. Nathan Brown
18. Matt Lodge
19. Corey Waddell
20. Blake Wilson
21. Joey Walsh
22. Zach Dockar-Clay
23. Clayton Faulalo
24. Navren Willett
25. Zaidas Muagututia
26. Simione Laiafi
27. Paul Bryan
28. Onitoni Large
29. Aaron Schoupp?

Development:

1. D’Jazirhae Pua'avase
2. Hugo Hart

Departing:

1. Toff Sipley
2. Jazz Tevaga
3. Josh Aloiai
4. Lachlan Croker
5. Daly Cherry Evans
6. Ray Vaega
7. Jake Arthur
8. Aitasi James
9. Dean Matterson
10. Gordan Chan Kum Tong
11. Michael Chee Kam
12. Tommy Talau

Didn’t know exactly which thread to post this in, but this is the most updated/recent list I’ve put together of our squad for next year, including the players leaving at the end of this season.

I’ve tried to make the team as realistic as possible to what I think Seibold will select for Round 1 in 2026, not just based on my personal opinions.

The only real uncertainty I’ve got is around Schoupp — not sure if he’s signed on as top 30, development, or train-and-trial. I’ve also assumed Croker will be departing, either via medical retirement or general retirement depending on the review of his concussion issues.

Let me know if I’ve gotten anything wrong or missed someone.

Haven’t we signed Josh Feledy also

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

replace departing ... with ...possible?

Toff Sipley - - Paul Bryan
Jazz Tevaga -- - Navale
Josh Aloiai - - Hetherington
Lachlan Croker - Zaidas ????
Daly Cherry Evans - - - Fogarty
Ray Vaega - Navren Willett
Jake Arthur - - Joey Walsh
Aitasi James - - D'Jazirae ???
Dean Matterson - - ???
Gordan Chan Kum Tong - - Dockar-Clay
Michael Chee Kam - - ???????
Tommy Talau - -Blake Wilson

 

[aidan]

Haven’t we signed Josh Feledy also

Yes good pick up. Forgot about him. I believe it was announced as being a reserve grade or train and trial type contract, similar to what Lodge is on at the moment. So minimum wage I’m assuming.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Yes good pick up. Forgot about him. I believe it was announced as being a reserve grade or train and trial type contract, similar to what Lodge is on at the moment. So minimum wage I’m assuming.

Wouldn’t be a part of the 30, he hasn’t had much success sadly.

 

[47MVEagle]

Wouldn’t be a part of the 30, he hasn’t had much success sadly.

Indeed! Funny how the usual crew who moan about letting all our young guns go haven’t been cheering from the rooftops about bringing him back 😂

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Indeed! Funny how the usual crew who moan about letting all our young guns go haven’t been cheering from the rooftops about bringing him back 😂

Yep you can’t keep them all , and some you let go find their feet elsewhere, but many don’t, he’s an example of one that didn’t.

 

[ManlyTragic]

Remember when everyone on here used to say Gordon was a future star? 🫠

Oh yeah! That must have been seibolds fault as well!

Just sayin’

 

[Uber Eagle 72]

Possibly...
DCE was reported to have signed for under a million on his current deal, and replaced by Fogarty on possibly 700 or 750k, so there maybe 200k or so change there.
But all the rest of those departing?

from the list @aidan wrote (below) all were on minimum or fairly low coin, and all have to be replaced!
Croker maybe the most expensive and he's not even confirmed leaving (yet)

Departing:

Toff Sipley
Jazz Tevaga
Josh Aloiai
Lachlan Croker
Daly Cherry Evans
Ray Vaega
Jake Arthur
Aitasi James
Dean Matterson
Gordan Chan Kum Tong
Michael Chee Kam
Tommy Talau

Agree but Josh was on the most after DCE at $500k. We should be able to afford a decent front rower to replace him.