Signings, Suggestions & Rumours Discussion

[Tiger_Yoshi]

I used to stick up for Brooks more than anyone … but he just ain’t it I’m afraid ! Without turbo demanding so much gravity from opposition teams . As he’s simply too slow and too busted now , teams no longer allocate the defensive resources to him , it means everyone else has no room to move .
If I was manly coach , I’d swap Kuola and Turbo and tell the halves . Give it to him as much as possible at retreating defences .
No other player in that team has anywhere near enough presence to demand defences mark up properly . And yes that includes 2026 turbo. It was always the scare with him. 5 years ago he was clearly the best player in the game … it wasn’t even close . He willed his teams to good records . Teams that didn’t win many games when he wasn’t there . But one hammy too many has slowed him immensely . I’d almost look at putting him as an edge back rower . At least when he runs the unders line teams would have to wait that split second .the second they’re simply not doing right now for Waddell and his brother .

It's sad to see how both the Turbo boys have lost so much of their ability so quickly....both are a shadow of their former self and Manly have not planned well for this moment...

 

[mtd#2]

I'm hearing Sione Fainu is a potential bolter for the NSW Blues team this year off the bench

Haas
AFB
Yeo
Keon
Martin
Murray
McInnes
Haumole
Young
Barnett
Crichton
Spencer
Stefano

I reckon we'd need to be in the top 6 for any of our boys to really get a look in.

The one most likely at the moment, and I cant believe im saying it, is Twal.

 

[SeanT]

Sione or samuela??

Sione is imagine. He can play front and 2nd row. Got more to do to get to that level.

 

[Tigerstigerstigers]

Round 8 he and Luai should be back.

Who would have thought, the current injury crises us could actually be what makes us. #teamfirst #standards actually works .

 

[crazycat]

What do reckon team what's our priority signings/resignings in order & how long ; how much?

My thoughts:

1. Terrell - 3 yr extension @ $750k (until 2030, currently contracted until the end of 2027)
2. Makasini - 3 yr upgrade & extension going from $450k, $550k, $700k (currently signed until 2027, was reported 1 million over 3 years so this year & next probably $330k ish) That's an roughly a $1.5m upgrade to the end of 2029)
3. Bula... Whatever it will be. I think ideally 3 years @ around $850k if we re going there for 2027-2029.
4. Tavana - Give this young man a deal. 4 years total. 2027 development. 2028-2030 total package $800k for mine ($250k, $275k, $275k)
5. Taylan - Purely 2 year extension until the end of 2029 @ $600k

That's my top 5

I agree, but place it like this:

must sign Terrell May, Makasini

Then Taylan May, but with performance/behavioural clauses.
Honestly Taylan is a top player and makes a huge difference to the side.

Bula I am 50/50. is he a 800k fullback asking for 1m? Yes. Is that what we want? 2025 Yes...
Now...
I look at Makasini and I look at who we have hired. I see upgrades and I see far better value from who we have.

Latu Fainu would benefit from being the team fullback. If he can cope with the pace, it would help build him as a half, give him a better feel for the game.

 

[Camel2281]

I dont understand the hate for Brooksy. I wish he kicked on at Manly.

Because he raped the club for millions over his career and never ever performed to what he was paid

 

[Camel2281]

I also question how insanely big the contract was. Rumours it was very heavily back ended and his contract was around 7-800K a season. Which in my opinion was about, or only slight overs for, his value at the time.

His last season with the Tigers he was paid $1.1 million

 

[Camel2281]

Agreed. From a results perspective I think Manly was a very poor choice. From length and value of contract I believe it was the obvious choice. Tigers claimed we wanted him but offered him massive unders. Rumoured to be offered a short term contract at Roosters on unders and similar money to Manly at Dragons but less years. Only Manly full value and long term.

So he forsaked his future at having on field success despite being a multi millionaire, just for more cash for longer. Tells me everything I need to know about Luke Brookes

 

[Camel2281]

Is he ? Maybe he should test that shoulder in Cup

Definitely should. Don't change a winning combination for a bloke of his history of being a liability

 

[Adam Doobie]

Sione is imagine. He can play front and 2nd row. Got more to do to get to that level.

With Laurie Daley in charge you just need to kiss the right asses and you will get a sky blue jumper.

 

[weststigers]

I agree, but place it like this:

must sign Terrell May, Makasini

Then Taylan May, but with performance/behavioural clauses.
Honestly Taylan is a top player and makes a huge difference to the side.

Bula I am 50/50. is he a 800k fullback asking for 1m? Yes. Is that what we want? 2025 Yes...
Now...
I look at Makasini and I look at who we have hired. I see upgrades and I see far better value from who we have.

Latu Fainu would benefit from being the team fullback. If he can cope with the pace, it would help build him as a half, give him a better feel for the game.

What would you put in Taylans contract about behaviour?

You mean extra conduct clauses that don't already exist in a standard contract?

 

[cktiger]

He was never a fraud, he was victim of the wests tigers playing players out position. He grew up a 6. Stood out as a 6. And this stupid club thought they'd try make him a 7. I feel sorry for him

So did he. 🤣

 

[cktiger]

Haas
AFB
Yeo
Keon
Martin
Murray
McInnes
Haumole
Young
Barnett
Crichton
Spencer
Stefano

I reckon we'd need to be in the top 6 for any of our boys to really get a look in.

The one most likely at the moment, and I cant believe im saying it, is Twal.

Why would they pick Stefano now?
Useless.,

 

[SeanT]

With Laurie Daley in charge you just need to kiss the right asses and you will get a sky blue jumper.

Can't believe he is still coaching. His record is abysmal.

 

[gregjm87]

His last season with the Tigers he was paid $1.1 million

Okay, but what about the previous 3?

 

[gregjm87]

I used to stick up for Brooks more than anyone … but he just ain’t it I’m afraid ! Without turbo demanding so much gravity from opposition teams . As he’s simply too slow and too busted now , teams no longer allocate the defensive resources to him , it means everyone else has no room to move .
If I was manly coach , I’d swap Kuola and Turbo and tell the halves . Give it to him as much as possible at retreating defences .
No other player in that team has anywhere near enough presence to demand defences mark up properly . And yes that includes 2026 turbo. It was always the scare with him. 5 years ago he was clearly the best player in the game … it wasn’t even close . He willed his teams to good records . Teams that didn’t win many games when he wasn’t there . But one hammy too many has slowed him immensely . I’d almost look at putting him as an edge back rower . At least when he runs the unders line teams would have to wait that split second .the second they’re simply not doing right now for Waddell and his brother .

Problem is when your best middle is an old Taukiaho then there is no retreating defence to give Koula the ball.