Does anyone see any improvement in Manly for next season

[deanm]

I do. The whole DCE drama was massive. We were off to a great start, then DCE ruined it. We had most of our forward pack on the sidelines. We will get Paseka and Olakauatu back next year along with some good signings in our pack like Hetherington maybe Moale for 26 and Bryan. We are getting a fresh start at halfback in Jamal, and everyone is going to want to play hard for Jake as captain. Definitely a team that could play finals.

Totally agree , Paseka is like a new recruit if he can string many games together .

 

[madmax]

We should improve a fair bit if we have a bit of luck with injuries. Recruitment has also been smart considering the lack of elite talent off contract for 26.

8. Paseka (will feel like a new signing having him back)
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Ola
12. Ben
13. Jake
14. Navale
15. Bullemor
16. Hetherington
17. Moale (likely to get a early release for Fifita)

Compare that to our pack & bench that ended this season

8. Lodge
9. Simpkin
10. TKO
11. Waddell
12. Ben
13. Jazz
14. Walsh
15. Navale
16 Bullemor
17. Schoupp/Sipley

Our 2026 pack would beat the p*ss out of them IMO. Waddell, Lodge, Brown, Bryan, Laiafi are all solid depth. I said it on here a month or so ago but I also heard we are 1 of the teams keen on 21 year old back rower Harrison Hassett from Penrith. Australian school boy & won Penriths SG Ball player of the season a few years ago in a very talented team

Think we’ll be seeing a lot more of Laiafi next season!!!

 

[simon64]

Assuming we can catch a break with injuries, I can see a slight improvement. So 5th - 8th.

Rationale:

No $CE dramas. And I actually think Fogarty is a better fit for the team. He doesn't do the "headless chook" routine like Cherry Evans. (Hey that's funny...headless CHOOK....he's gonna fit right in.)

I bit more steel in our pack. Hetherington and hopefully Moale are a big upgrade on Toff and Jazz. And Tent and Ola, we should match it with most.

I have everything crossed. Being also rans is getting really old.