Davvy Moale

[Nambawan]

Over at the Souths forum, one poster said the deal is done. Moale will be at Manly for 2026. That's the 3rd one that's confidently posted the same thing. Could be something is brewing. 😉🤞

But, but - is Moale any good? And if he is good why are Souths willing to let him go(not as if Souths have a great pack at the present time)?

 

[Eagle 1]

But, but - is Moale any good? And if he is good why are Souths willing to let him go(not as if Souths have a great pack at the present time)?

Wasn't he injured for some part of 2025 tho.

 

[Rocky]

Yes but that was essentially my point, our squad was unbalanced this year and 2026 is looking like it could be similar. Those 3 you mention are all definitely upgrades, but those upgrades (the first two at least) seem to come at the cost of losing Talau or not improving in depth in our other weaker positions like hooker/2nd row.

Can see what the club was trying to do in offloading Brown for Moale but Souths were unfortunately never going to take that swap. Shot ourselves in the foot by giving him a multi-year extension in his 30s after half a good season last year. Even just having any old edge backrower or hooker in that spot instead would make our squad better on paper.

Again hopefully there are more moves to come but with November only a month away the focus will shift to 2027. And so it should for us anyway with the Tom & Jake albatross contracts coming off the books.

This won't go down well on Silvertails (and nor should it)... but....I wouldn't totally rule out Hetherington starting at hooker and Simpkin coming off the bench (assuming the Frog is done).

 

[Ohgeez]

But, but - is Moale any good? And if he is good why are Souths willing to let him go(not as if Souths have a great pack at the present time)?

Moale wouldn’t extend long term there. That’s probably the biggest reason along with Wayne thinking he can turn Fifita into 1 of the best players in the comp.

 

[double hoops]

This won't go down well on Silvertails (and nor should it)... but....I wouldn't totally rule out Hetherington starting at hooker and Simpkin coming off the bench (assuming the Frog is done).

I'm thinking more that Wakeham could be viewed as a real utility and spend plenty of time in the 9 this pre season.

I was surprised this year when he was moved into the fullback jersey, seemed a crazy move to get Walsh into the side. But he must have went ok if not smashed it. He kept the job for weeks, even found a fair few porky pies playing there. Add his goal kicking, he piled on the points.

But that he could handle the running metres at fullback might be the biggest tick.

Wakeham's not a little 5/8, so I would have thought slotting in at lock from the bench isn't out of the question at a push.

Will be one to keep an eye on during preseason games for sure

 

[Phobia]

This won't go down well on Silvertails (and nor should it)... but....I wouldn't totally rule out Hetherington starting at hooker and Simpkin coming off the bench (assuming the Frog is done).

Lol, imagine the uproar. We finally sign a defensive mobile middle from a good system… only to then turn him into another makeshift hooker.

I have a nagging feeling that Moale will also somehow find himself in NSW Cup behind Corey Eats.