Tom and Jake

[CoreyWaddellSuperFan]

These two idolise the club and have since they were kids. Loyal to a fault and have given their all.

We win more with both of them than we lose.

They are not responsible for the idiot roster and coaching decisions.

I cannot believe the mounting attacks from you drunken, lazy sausage roll eaters on a family that bleeds maroon and white.

If you don't want passionate beliveers who give everything for our club, take Seibold and your journeymen and go find yourself another club.

Leave them alone. The attacks must stop.

And no, this isn't an invitation for yet another bout of savaging them though I know that many of you numpties will.

Signed,

Furious and Over It

PS I'm sorry your mothers didn't love you, but I'm starting to understand it

 

[bob dylan]

Not sure how many know the good stuff the 3 brothers do for the club, usually on their days off.

They are worth 10x what they are paid to the brand.

These guys are maroon and white saints.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Not one of us would disagree with their loyalty & passion , nor the work they do off the field.

Nevertheless it’s still 2.5 million in 2026 for what currently are , “ average returns”.

You cannot not love the boys or question their dedication but the above fact still stands.

 

[Bringbackcliffy]

Not sure how many know the good stuff the 3 brothers do for the club, usually on their days off.

They are worth 10x what they are paid to the brand.

These guys are maroon and white saints.

Agree totally but what you’re describing is an ambassadorial role. I’d argue Keppie and Sipley gave similar amounts of time and we were happy to move them on. We all love them for the passion, care and community service. But onfield Jake rarely has an impact, Ben only sometimes and Tom a greatly diminished one. If their value is judged by a different standard to the rest then no surprise we have division and power plays

 

[Ranga]

It’s fine to question a player’s form/performance, value for money with respect to the salary cap or role within a team. That comes with professional sport and the players know that. But the vitriol, abuse and defamatory statements (eg, saying a player is deliberately throwing games) hurled at our players at times by supposed ‘fans’ is something I personally cannot understand.

 

[MadMarcus]

Jake and Tom have the kind of passion for the club that you can build a dynasty out of.

Sadly it hasn’t happened for them. They both deserved a premiership but I can’t see it happening now.

Jake has had too many head knocks and should be thinking about his own wellbeing.

Tom was a genuine superstar but unfortunately I think he is busted mentally and physically.

There’s no reason any Manly fan should be throwing stones at either of them.

 

[47MVEagle]

The only reason they're taking up so much of next season's cap is because Des did another one of his famous back-ended deals with them.

That they might not be worth what they're getting paid next season isn't their fault, it's the way their contracts were structured.

Think about 2021, when Turbo was carving it up - he might have only been getting paid $300k that season.

Swings & roundabouts.

 

[bob dylan]

Not one of us would disagree with their loyalty & passion , nor the work they do off the field.

Nevertheless it’s still 2.5 million in 2026 for what currently are , “ average returns”.

You cannot not love the boys or question their dedication but the above fact still stands.

As you know clubs must spend their cap, and they can only buy a certain number of players.

So every team has many players who might seem over paid. Ponga and Brown at the Knights getting over $1.3mil each???

So you see there is a lot of overpaid players. Do you want to give the extras to Brooks, Aloiai, Saab and co or to those you actually add to your brand.

I am all for the brothers getting the overs rather than the club chasing former Tigers who are all a chance of ending up here in 2026, Klemmer, Bird and Royce Hunt. Even for that to happen 3 players must go. Are we any better off?

So for the sake of the argument, and using the 2025 squad as an example, let's say Tom and Jake were on a combined $1mill less this year, which players did you want to allocate that money too. DCE, Haumole, Garrick, Koula and Hoppa???. Maybe we could give them all $200k but what does that do for playing strength?

We ain't ever attracting Haas or Cleary or Yeo so we are stuck with paying overs for some of our players.

 

[jbb/james]

Manly have over used Tom and Jake has tackled his body to a standstill

Sign them up. Get the price right but get yearly options. Get 3rd party for jake. If the chooks can register chez at 450 we can certainly have jake for less on the cap and a handsome marketing role

Not sure either plays but would like to see Tom back at centre for salary cap valuations 500 and some decent third party

Been saying for years we have too many highly paid outside backs
Probably indicates how weak we are at attracting and club has no faith it could get a star for a star

Is hoppa a 6

 

[Dan]

These two idolise the club and have since they were kids. Loyal to a fault and have given their all.

We win more with both of them than we lose.

They are not responsible for the idiot roster and coaching decisions.

I cannot believe the mounting attacks from you drunken, lazy sausage roll eaters on a family that bleeds maroon and white.

If you don't want passionate beliveers who give everything for our club, take Seibold and your journeymen and go find yourself another club.

Leave them alone. The attacks must stop.

And no, this isn't an invitation for yet another bout of savaging them though I know that many of you numpties will.

Signed,

Furious and Over It

PS I'm sorry your mothers didn't love you, but I'm starting to understand it

I take umbrage to this.

I haven't eaten a Sausage roll in over 5 years

 

[jbb/james]

As you know clubs must spend their cap, and they can only buy a certain number of players.

So every team has many players who might seem over paid. Ponga and Brown at the Knights getting over $1.3mil each???

So you see there is a lot of overpaid players. Do you want to give the extras to Brooks, Aloiai, Saab and co or to those you actually add to your brand.

I am all for the brothers getting the overs rather than the club chasing former Tigers who are all a chance of ending up here in 2026, Klemmer, Bird and Royce Hunt. Even for that to happen 3 players must go. Are we any better off?

So for the sake of the argument, and using the 2025 squad as an example, let's say Tom and Jake were on a combined $1mill less this year, which players did you want to allocate that money too. DCE, Haumole, Garrick, Koula and Hoppa???. Maybe we could give them all $200k but what does that do for playing strength?

We ain't ever attracting Haas or Cleary or Yeo so we are stuck with paying overs for some of our players.

Trying to offload cherry in april would have added another 400k into next years cap by bringing fwd some of those funds and paying the bro’s this year
Players are contracted until october i think so about 40 % of his contract

Why would we do they said. we need him. QLD quality halfback, you must be mad son
Next minute ………he’s a witch

Remember the heady days of Autumn when belief in DCE was still high that he would show us all how a champion reacts

 

[Dan]

Trying to offload cherry in april would have added another 400k into next years cap by bringing fwd some of those funds and paying the bro’s this year
Players are contracted until october i think so ablut 40 % of his contract

Why would we do they said. we need him. QLD quality halfback, you must be mad son
Next minute ………he’s a witch

Remember the heady days of Autumn when belief in DCE was still high that he would show us all how a champion reacts

backended deals are an evil that needs to end. They are only useful when you think you may be able to medically retire someone before the end date. With Jurbo this may be the case

 

[jbb/james]

backended deals are an evil that needs to end. They are only useful when you think you may be able to medically retire someone before the end date. With Jurbo this may be the case

They did change some rules. I think this contract pre dates the change. That has been my feel,

I am yet to see manly retire someone and not have it still in the cap, dont think the club has a lazy mill for this strategy .

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

As you know clubs must spend their cap, and they can only buy a certain number of players.

So every team has many players who might seem over paid. Ponga and Brown at the Knights getting over $1.3mil each???

So you see there is a lot of overpaid players. Do you want to give the extras to Brooks, Aloiai, Saab and co or to those you actually add to your brand.

I am all for the brothers getting the overs rather than the club chasing former Tigers who are all a chance of ending up here in 2026, Klemmer, Bird and Royce Hunt. Even for that to happen 3 players must go. Are we any better off?

So for the sake of the argument, and using the 2025 squad as an example, let's say Tom and Jake were on a combined $1mill less this year, which players did you want to allocate that money too. DCE, Haumole, Garrick, Koula and Hoppa???. Maybe we could give them all $200k but what does that do for playing strength?

We ain't ever attracting Haas or Cleary or Yeo so we are stuck with paying overs for some of our players.

No I wouldn’t be paying extra to those aforementioned players but I would be trying to attract some decent players who are not getting a run at their current club, even if they’re signed for 2026.

Contracts are meaningless these days unless the player is happy , when they’re not they are easily ( mostly ) broken.

Go out and hunt for some forwards that are languishing behind a plethora of great players in front of them , ones that can’t get a start due to this.

And pay them a bit more if we have to , to get them to come over.

That’s how I’d use the extra money.

I have no issues with the boys getting top dollars but let’s face it Jurbo looks busted ( 3 concussions in a short period of time) and Turbo just a shadow of his former self.

That’s the bit that’s hard to come to grips with.

 

[maxta]

Personally know the T Bros and all are Champions and the Jake you see is what you get.
Still feel on a forum it's 100% fair to have opinions based on performances and also missing games ect.
Jake is the man, I feel for example that sloppy loss to Tigers by a margin, may easily have been a Manly win with him on the field inspiring the troops, his value cuts deeper than the 'plodder" type calls , as he has a Massive influence on the team staying motivated.
His big hits have slowed , as has his legs, but the heart is just as big and the effect on any team is Huge and that's why selectors of NSW picked him...there were better performers across the NRL, but few with his desire, passion and team bonding ability....yes he was dropped and tbh, I feel it was fair, but still a great club man who loves Manly, but prefer him front row to allow a speedier more athletic lock into the game, again not his fault where he is selected.
Tom is way down on his Best, but has shown glimpses, I say a definite keeper....but at the right price, he simply is not a million dollar man these days even if staying fit and on the field.
Benny I find on the up and if this was a better Manly side, I feel would be very handy.,,,he does struggle at times and as a younger player on the improve, it says a lot as this team is on skid row .
He is no world beater, but can turn out a very good NRL player and once Manly start finding better form and ability (especially through the middle) he will only get better.
I say it's play on with opinions that are fair both good or bad, but keep it respectful towards icons of Manly and in general, great blokes who deserve appreciation for "who they are" and 'How" they represent the club....just wish a few other players hhad their passion and love for Manly and we wouldn't be in such a crap position...

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

But the vitriol, abuse and defamatory statements (eg, saying a player is deliberately throwing games) hurled at our players at times by supposed ‘fans’ is something I personally cannot understand.

There's NRL Physio to explain player injuries, so why not NRL Shrink to understand the emotional disorders we display as fans. Eg, why does watching our team turn fans into arseholes?

As @CoreyWaddellSuperFan says, mum didn't love them. Obviously true. Maybe also Dad's fault, as littlies we learned that the team winning or losing was the only time dad ever expressed emotion?

Any psychiatrists here on Silvertails? If not, even a charlatan or quack or Influencer might do? Just set up a regular thread, 'Ask Sigmund' or something, and we can learn why we need to viciously lash out (and get drunk, lazy, eat sausage rolls etc) The whole gamut of footy fan behaviours could be explained, one by one? Might be helpful?

 

[Brookie1973]

I take umbridge to this.

I haven't eaten a Sausage roll in over 5 years

Is the umbridge something you take to go over the umriver?

 

[Ohgeez]

Don’t accept mediocrity. Or does that only apply if something is perceived as defending Seibold? Everyone loves Jake & Tom but it’s obvious how mediocre they have become to most Rugby League fans.

It’s not their fault that Des offered them these deals but it’s pretty clear they aren’t performing like $1.3m & $1.1m players respectively - mostly due to injuries sadly. Look at their stats this year, it’s just no where near good enough

 

[tookey]

I might be drunk but I am not lazy?

And I like men with a long sausage roll

Corey Waddell superfan says it all

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

First to agree it’s not their fault their contracts were backended.

And all the rhetoric about how passionate they are , etc etc not a single fan could disagree.

That said I think being criticised by some on here because you’ve raised the “ elephant in the room” is a little unfair.

Fact , Jurbo is really struggling , heart of a lion nevertheless struggling and is probably a Cat 1 concussion away from never playing again.

Fact , Turbo is a mere shadow of his former self , I’m sure he’s just as frustrated as we are but you can’t escape it , he’s currently a bog average centre & a well below average fullback.

Fact , between them they will take 2.5 million or roughly 20% of our total cap space.

There’s little ( nothing ) we can do about it , but it doesn’t mean we can’t state the obvious , nor be criticised for doing so.