2026 recruitment & retention

[eaglebuzz]

I'd be happy for Garrick to stay or go. He's an effort player and he has some really good moments, but on the whole I consider him a below average player - once you factor in his defense.

He hasn't earned the right to a long term deal or to command big money.

 

[nightster]

Rueben was the best left winger in the game a few years back

 

[nightster]

and don't forget his never say die effort for the '21 try of the year

Sea Eagles win NRL Try of the Year Award

It was the TRY that just had to be seen to be believed!

www.seaeagles.com.au

 

[madmax]

Do we have 5 or 6 keepers……I doubt we do in the backs, Tolu is the only one I’d hate to lose and his free to test the market come Nov 1st, would imagine there’ll be interest.

Tolu & Lehi are definitely keepers…..if we lose Tolu, Garrick etc. my interest in league will start to wane! Finally we have 2 brilliant young talents in the team & the club is at risk of losing them 🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

 

[jbb/james]

I loved koulas 2025, but it had been a long time coming. Wether he found himself outside brooks or finally had a break out is probably still yet to be determined

Signing players in purple patches has hurt us before

I think he was previously overpaid for ROI

Hope a balanced decision is made. He certainly hasnt shown enough for fullback money over an extended period

Garricks contract needs to be reasonable enough too. He is a great clubman, solid but replaceable

 

[mave]

Rueben was the best left winger in the game a few years back

He would be a SOO rep by now if he stayed on the wing. The move to centre has hampered his standing around rep duties imo.

Wing is such an important position these days and I cant quite understand why everyone seems so willing to see wingers as expendable/easily replacable.

 

[eaglebuzz]

Rueben was the best left winger in the game a few years back

Brian To'o has had that particular accolade sewn up for the entire time Garrick has been with us.

Garrick had a fantastic 2021, he's been ok since. He is a top tier winger but he prefers centre and he's not getting any younger. I'd say his best days are likely behind him rather than ahead of him.

A 2 year extension is fair imo. If he doesn't want it I wouldn't be sad to see him leave.

 

[Brookie Bob]

Manly at risk of losing stars amid extension talks

They could lose one of their most experienced stars.

www.zerotackle.com

 

[manly al]

N R L has held back a bit from issuing fairly severe penalties or sanctions on players who may be prepared to break contracts or simply punt League to head to the proposed R 360.
Union nations have been fairly proactive to date with threats to virtually disqualify Union guys who are prepared or actually do sign on officially
Would have to be some doubt still just how viable or realistic the proposed comp can be and also may be interesting on any League types who do shift if it becomes an actual event ,and after , if the respective players in the future may ever then consider a switch to the established Union order, in terms of punitive measures
Looks like mainly the older , established union international players considering the move
Think that Koula is around 23 now , Manly would have to offer him too level centre money on any new deal
Shame that he has the player option in his favor for 27 , in the professional sense nothing unusual and even a lucrative 2 year deal just for 28 and 29 would be a really good outcome for Manly
Again , what future actions the N R L may propose or enforce in reaction to the R 360 proposal , could still influence current League guys who may be targeted or approached in their playing future intentions

 

[Nordburg]

N R L has held back a bit from issuing fairly severe penalties or sanctions on players who may be prepared to break contracts or simply punt League to head to the proposed R 360.
Union nations have been fairly proactive to date with threats to virtually disqualify Union guys who are prepared or actually do sign on officially
Would have to be some doubt still just how viable or realistic the proposed comp can be and also may be interesting on any League types who do shift if it becomes an actual event ,and after , if the respective players in the future may ever then consider a switch to the established Union order, in terms of punitive measures
Looks like mainly the older , established union international players considering the move
Think that Koula is around 23 now , Manly would have to offer him too level centre money on any new deal
Shame that he has the player option in his favor for 27 , in the professional sense nothing unusual and even a lucrative 2 year deal just for 28 and 29 would be a really good outcome for Manly
Again , what future actions the N R L may propose or enforce in reaction to the R 360 proposal , could still influence current League guys who may be targeted or approached in their playing future intentions

The NRL won’t be able to do anything to a player that is off contract and no chance they could ban them if they decide they want to return to the game.There are many examples of players coming and going from the NRL that the administration didn’t block from coming back.Players under contract is a different argument but SBW broke a contract and was free to return

 

[maxta]

Patolo who came from Dogs last year as a hopeful heading UK
Not much bearing on the top 17 tbh

 

[double hoops]

N R L has held back a bit from issuing fairly severe penalties or sanctions on players who may be prepared to break contracts or simply punt League to head to the proposed R 360.
Union nations have been fairly proactive to date with threats to virtually disqualify Union guys who are prepared or actually do sign on officially
Would have to be some doubt still just how viable or realistic the proposed comp can be and also may be interesting on any League types who do shift if it becomes an actual event ,and after , if the respective players in the future may ever then consider a switch to the established Union order, in terms of punitive measures
Looks like mainly the older , established union international players considering the move
Think that Koula is around 23 now , Manly would have to offer him too level centre money on any new deal
Shame that he has the player option in his favor for 27 , in the professional sense nothing unusual and even a lucrative 2 year deal just for 28 and 29 would be a really good outcome for Manly
Again , what future actions the N R L may propose or enforce in reaction to the R 360 proposal , could still influence current League guys who may be targeted or approached in their playing future intentions

NRL is seeking legal advice, before they comment.

It is the NRL and only the NRL we keep getting told it's a restraint of trade. Bull**** to bring in a draft after all.

If R360 gets up and running, it Gunna hurt the NRL no question.

Already this game could lose 10-15 elite players. If Haas leaves and gets the big big $$$ or anything like what he wants look out, that many other league boys will be jumping at the chance to see what they're worth.

Will 360 have enough players from each Nation to make there own, nations comp? Will we see Union players vs Former League players? That would be an interesting watch.

Watching Australia vs NZ hasn't been worth it in decades in Rah Rah.

So perhaps this new teams format with players from all over the globe in a team is a breath of fresh air. BBL of footy.

Sucked in NRL in a way. Have been too happy to do nothing about the unequal salaries of clubs 3rd party's. Politis defacto running the game.

The non existent trade window just ****s me and most supporters to tears in this sport. But the NRL does nothing, considering there position for a decade or more. Hence why this sport needs a draft. This Nov 1 deadline like your team has to recruit 2 years ahead I just hate it so much too.

We can't have a draft to make it more equal as a kid might not want to move suburbs, states bull****. R360 has no trouble getting blokes happy to move any where in the world . Ha ha.

Ahh Stuff the NRL. Let it burn.

The standard of games, the viewership, and the money coming in is going to be way down if you take 15 of the elite players out? year on year.

Think back to Superleague days and the the really lopsided comp during and after. It was terrible to watch lower teams.

If it's 15 more players in 12 months time.

When NRL have also lined up 2 extra teams in consecutive years to enter the comp and further dilute the playing talent in the NRL as well. Things could get lop sided.so quickly. 360 couldn't come at a worse time for Vlandys really.

If R360 gets off the ground it going to hurt.

Actually even now just the quality and number of players happy to defect it already is.

 

[Disco]

I loved koulas 2025, but it had been a long time coming.

Was it though?

He'd played three seasons and 60 games prior to this year, Id counter that it is pretty common to see players take a step forward around that point.

I think his trajectory is about expected for his talent.

 

[Blowfly]

I'd be happy for Garrick to stay or go. He's an effort player and he has some really good moments, but on the whole I consider him a below average player - once you factor in his defense.

He hasn't earned the right to a long term deal or to command big money.

Well said. Agree with every word!