Our hooker for 2026

[1978]

Would love to see Brooks tried at hooker in 2026, even if just for a short stint during matches.

He whacks people in defence for his size, is quick off mark and would give us a threatening running game out of hooker for the first time since Api / Manese. Tom to 6. Lehi at 1.

Other benefit of Brooks at 14 (Tevanga hooker for first 15 minutes) is it creates more impact/ flexibility on bench. Solves problem of not having a reserve back on bench as Brooks could slot in at 6, and Tom could move to the back 5 if an outside back was injured (eg Lehi last week).

Also, can't keep playing Tom at fullback IMO if we want him to play more games. Lehi too good to be held back at 1.

 

[maxta]

Would love to see Brooks tried at hooker in 2026, even if just for a short stint during matches.

He whacks people in defence for his size, is quick off mark and would give us a threatening running game out of hooker for the first time since Api / Manese. Tom to 6. Lehi at 1.

Other benefit of Brooks at 14 (Tevanga hooker for first 15 minutes) is it creates more impact/ flexibility on bench. Solves problem of not having a reserve back on bench as Brooks could slot in at 6, and Tom could move to the back 5 if an outside back was injured (eg Lehi last week).

Also, can't keep playing Tom at fullback IMO if we want him to play more games. Lehi too good to be held back at 1.

I agree we lack spark at 9 with any very little zip to put pressure on the most vital place on the field - the ruck....but Brooksy is a longshot
I think you will find Muagututia, a youngster we nabbed from Dogs will push for this position in 2026, initially off the bench, with either croker or Simpkin starting....personally feel Simpkin was on the improve and the most stable looking dummy half we have had in a while so not sure why Manly did not persist there, as it was the smoothest we have looked in a long time and improving.
There is a gun in Ashton Large, rated by many good judges as a potential star of the future, but I think is still only 17yo, so a couple seasons away....attack is absolute top shelf and can actually tackle well also.

 

[jbb/james]

I would like to keep frog and utilise his versatility. Still see him as a starting 9 moving forward and i think his deficiencies will be less noticeable with a more serviceable half . He is tough.

I reckon the frog could become a big part of the leadership group

I see no future in gordie unless simpkins is replaced by someone better which would be my first hope and then gordie is retained to be 3 deep with some whipper snappers and hopes are lining up

 

[double hoops]

I agree we lack spark at 9 with any very little zip to put pressure on the most vital place on the field - the ruck....but Brooksy is a longshot
I think you will find Muagututia, a youngster we nabbed from Dogs will push for this position in 2026, initially off the bench, with either croker or Simpkin starting....personally feel Simpkin was on the improve and the most stable looking dummy half we have had in a while so not sure why Manly did not persist there, as it was the smoothest we have looked in a long time and improving.
There is a gun in Ashton Large, rated by many good judges as a potential star of the future, but I think is still only 17yo, so a couple seasons away....attack is absolute top shelf and can actually tackle well also.

I got my doubts about Muagututia. I reckon he will end up a big boy for a hooker. I'm thinking more a lock.

 

[Phobia]

People want a magical number nine that will solve all our problems; they want Cameron Smith. We are not getting or developing Smith anytime soon.

Given how rubbish our forwards are defensively, besides Jake, Croker remains our best hooker. You say Brooks can put hits on. This is wrong. He often flips people over, and that's how he stops them. Croker straight up destroys them in comparison.

Worth noting that whenever Croker plays the Storm, Bellamy gives a key instruction about him: never run at him. His impact in defence goes beyond a statistic. A one-on-one Jake or Croker tackle goes far beyond a crowded Simpkin stat padding tackle.

What we need are forwards who can consistently run 100m+ on their own. That was Paseka and Aloiai, but now only Bullemor and TKO. Everyone else remains useless in that department, for the time being. Even the "messiah" in Navale, has failed to crack 100m in NSW CUP on three occasions this year, including last week, when we had literally all the ball.

A reliable forward is now our No.1 issue and No.1 target with Aloiai gone.

 

[XV-1]

Brooks playing 5/8th has missed 50 tackles so far this year to be 4th worse in the NRL.

Playing hooker 🤣😅

 

[Rackets]

Isn't Liddle off contact soon? He'd be the best option in my opinion.

 

[bringbackbeaver]

Croker is tough and he’s a leader but he doesn’t offer any threat out of dummy half. I don’t agree he’s an imposing defender. He’s solid , makes his tackles but he doesn’t turn games with his D.
With all this cash coming free , we should go for Blake Mozer.
For people saying it’s the pigs fault .. I would argue the hooker plays a big role in making the pigs look good or bad.

 

[maxta]

I got my doubts about Muagututia. I reckon he will end up a big boy for a hooker. I'm thinking more a lock.

You could be right, but I still think he has more spark than what we got now and reckon in 2026 that's where he will start....but I don't mind where your going at all, some decent hands, tackles and can make a bust and 13 on his back as he will only add size, makes sense to me....in fact a bit more speed in taht pack in general would be damn great !!

 

[joeboy]

Croker and Brookes are both ordinary, sooner we have better players in both positions the better, they are just to limited and everything they do well they have another thing they do not well.

Simpkin is better than croker and just needs to be backed.

 

[deanm]

Isn't Liddle off contact soon? He'd be the best option in my opinion.

REsigned with Dragons, announced today

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Would love to see Brooks tried at hooker in 2026, even if just for a short stint during matches.

He whacks people in defence for his size, is quick off mark and would give us a threatening running game out of hooker for the first time since Api / Manese. Tom to 6. Lehi at 1.

Other benefit of Brooks at 14 (Tevanga hooker for first 15 minutes) is it creates more impact/ flexibility on bench. Solves problem of not having a reserve back on bench as Brooks could slot in at 6, and Tom could move to the back 5 if an outside back was injured (eg Lehi last week).

Also, can't keep playing Tom at fullback IMO if we want him to play more games. Lehi too good to be held back at 1.

Another out of position hooker...exactly what we need.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

Id be throwing money at Mahoney.

 

[danny-boy]

Id be throwing money at Mahoney.

I don’t understand why the club doesn’t make a play for Reed Mahoney. Yes he’s a grub but we so desperately need a good hooker.

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

I don’t understand why the club doesn’t make a play for Reed Mahoney. Yes he’s a grub but we so desperately need a good hooker.

Because we like playing players out of position and converting them into hookers.

 

[JakeyB789]

It is absolutely time to move on from Croker, the bloke is approaching 30, has had all sorts of issues with concussion and knee/neck injuries, and was never a hooker to begin with. He plays tough and is a great clubman, but if anyone is genuinely fine with him still being the starting hooker they must be pretty content with mediocrity. It's very similar to how some still view Jake as well.

With $CE leaving, the Trbo paycuts looming and now Aloiai potentially medically retiring I would expect us to have money for more than just the one signing. A big dog forward should be the priority, but another hooker should be right behind, especially if Simpkin/GCKT/Zaidas etc aren't ready to take the reigns yet, or ever. AFB and Api anyone?

 

[TheSoaringEagle2023]

It is absolutely time to move on from Croker, the bloke is approaching 30, has had all sorts of issues with concussion and knee/neck injuries, and was never a hooker to begin with. He plays tough and is a great clubman, but if anyone is genuinely fine with him still being the starting hooker they must be pretty content with mediocrity. It's very similar to how some still view Jake as well.

With $CE leaving, the Trbo paycuts looming and now Aloiai potentially medically retiring I would expect us to have money for more than just the one signing. A big dog forward should be the priority, but another hooker should be right behind, especially if Simpkin/GCKT/Zaidas etc aren't ready to take the reigns yet, or ever. AFB and Api anyone?

We need an entirely new spine.

We also need some players that can get under the skin of the opposition. All past great Manly teams had a few of these types of players (Terry Hill, Hoppa - Fulton era) , (Watmough, Matai - Hasler era). I cant name a single Manly player that can niggle the opposition - aside from Mole with his big hits. I think Reed Mahoney can not just fill the 9, but be that guy that can put the other team off.

 

[LeonardCohen]

I think the fact the Dogs are moving on from Mahoney speaks volumes. That he was once their captain adds another layer of subtext. That they’re on top of the table and flying adds a third. That Gus keeps the players he really wants, adds a fourth.

We keep hearing it’s cap related, but he’s only on 600k and for a spine player, that’s average. Here is a player in such an important position, a leader, in a club that’s winning consistently, and he is being cut loose?

You have to assume he has upset someone or the football department see deficiencies in his game.

 

[Eagledare2dream]

We need an entirely new spine.

We also need some players that can get under the skin of the opposition. All past great Manly teams had a few of these types of players (Terry Hill, Hoppa - Fulton era) , (Watmough, Matai - Hasler era). I cant name a single Manly player that can niggle the opposition - aside from Mole with his big hits. I think Reed Mahoney can not just fill the 9, but be that guy that can put the other team off.

Even though I hate the guy but I love it if he play for us. You're right we do need these type of grub that we havn't had for a long time, as long as he doesn't go overboard and give away penalties or get bin also he'll get us a few penalties too.

I can name a few Manly great grubs of all time, Roberts, Cliffy, Gibbs, Spuds, Close were some of the best at it and no one messed with them.

 

[MW66]

Just buy/develop a specialist hooker. Da Silva from the Tigers would be a good get.