Who do we want? Coach 2026-

[HarVeeGee]

Yeah they've relaxed the rule heaps, probably because the attrition rate is so high atm due to the speed of the game. If half the clubs in the comp are applying for special dispensation to pick dev players or guys on cup contracts by round 3, they might as well just let teams use the development list as a cheap supplement to the top 30.

Shibasaki was playing from round 1 while still on a train & trial I believe. I think the rules about it relate more to salaries, you can't have a guy not in your top 30 and pay them a top 30 salary.

 

[Burwood]

Hunt was on a development deal for half of this year and will be again in 2026. He’s had no issue playing.

 

[Woosh]

Depends on how you define playing.
He’s another Jake Mamo

 

[HarVeeGee]

A few of us are a bit too comfortable totally dismissing teenagers who are yet to have a full NRL pre-season who at a club not undergoing a mini rebuild would have spent the whole season in the lower grades. f**k me.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Yep, its wild writing Hunt off so early considering he showed signs of real talent this year.

This is the same fan base that laments the players we let go to other clubs that kick on too

 

[PhilGould]

Just have no idea what position he’s going to end up in so I have a hard time gauging his future. He was predominantly a 6 prior to this season and I rated him but definitely didn’t see him rising through the ranks this fast. Other than his aerial ability I don’t think he’s shown much aptitude as a winger, but he was also brand new to the position when he debuted there in first grade so that’s a steep learning curve.

 

[HarVeeGee]

Get him in the weight room and see what kind of yardage battering ram/aerial threat outside back you can turn him into. I don’t think he’s explosive enough to play fullback.

Similarly I think if Votano pans out in the top grade it’s as an outside back, particularly centre. Neither can be as good as Sharpe at fullback IMO. So that’s how we should be looking to develop both of them.

 

[Knight Tales]

Hunt
Schiller
Marz
De Courcey
Votano.
If Sharpe starts on the wing or centre, That is a quality Cup backline. Holbrook has some good depth. He can thank AOB for that. They might be error prone, but outside of that all have qualities to step into FG with relative ease.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I like the effort areas from Hunt, especially when competing for attacking kicks. But he needs to improve his physicality which will happen naturally with a couple more pre-seasons.

 

[Knight Tales]

Nothing in the mainstream media yet, but there are 'reports' out there that Steve Hales is our new attacking coach. Was Manly's attack coach this year.

 

[Old dog]

Barring injuries Hunt should be in Cup and hopefully playing one position for a while, f/b?, let him develop

 

[AusKnightRKO]

Nothing in the mainstream media yet, but there are 'reports' out there that Steve Hales is our new attacking coach. Was Manly's attack coach this year.

A Fantastic Pick up, a pretty damn smart coach.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Nothing in the mainstream media yet, but there are 'reports' out there that Steve Hales is our new attacking coach. Was Manly's attack coach this year.

Toohey said yesterday we're in talks with him

 

[Yosh]

Anyone got more info on Steve Hales?

 

[Burwood]

We get Hales, they get Green. Sounds fair to me.

 

[Jono078]

We get Hales, they get Green. Sounds fair to me.

2023 we had Green and Seibold, is that right? Maybe theyre the magic duo.

 

[Yosh]

So is Hales gonna be our savior? What can I expect?

 

[HarVeeGee]

2023 we had Green and Seibold, is that right? Maybe theyre the magic duo.

Seibold was already at Manly by then.

 

[Woody90]

So is Hales gonna be our savior? What can I expect?

Nobody is going to be our saviour. Manly’s attack is generally very good (although they struggled to score points at the back end of the year). I wouldn’t go near their head coach or defence coach with a 10 foot pole though.

 

[Alex28]

Depends on how you define playing.
He’s another Jake Mamo

Writing off a 19 year old kid good enough to be playing first grade already is pretty wild.