NRL: No more players for Sea Eagles

[eagles4eva]

THE Sea Eagles have closed their books on approaching any new players for the 2011 NRL season.
With the departure of Josh Perry (St Helens), Trent Hodkinson (Eels) and Ben Farrar (Catalans), it was expected Manly would pick up a cheap buy to fill the gaps.
Even club great Steve Menzies was mooted as a possible recruit, but he too will join Catalans to close out his career.
Manly CEO Graham Lowe has now confirmed to The Manly Daily the club will not pursue any players for next winter.
“We are not looking for anyone,” he said.
With the likes of Jamie Buhrer, William Hopoate and Michael Oldfield all making their NRL debuts in 2010, the Sea Eagles are leaning on a youth policy next year.
Untried Sunshine Coast half Daly Cherry-Evans is another youngster likely to step up into the vacant halfback position.
While players are not on the radar for next year, Lowe is on the search for a new sponsor.
Two years ago the Sea Eagles were dodging sponsors on their way to winning the 2008 NRL premiership.
Now, the club is still without a major backer for next year’s season with options running thing.
“It’s very difficult out there at the moment,” Lowe said.
“We’ve got to find one, it’s as simple as that. I’m concerned at the timing of it, that’s the difficult part. Finding a sponsor is all about building relationships, these things don’t just happen overnight.
“It’s not something we can fast-track.”
Lowe said approaching club owners Max Delmege, Scott Penn and Manly-Warringah League’s Club is not an option. “The role in many ways of the CEO has changed, we are more a professional beggar these days,” he said.
Lowe said Centrebet will not step in as a major sponsor, but will maintain its place as a jersey sponsor. Quantum, the Sea Eagles’ major sponsor for the past two seasons, will not be back in 2011.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/eagles-lean-on-youth/

 

[hellteam]

Cherry-Evans is as good, if not better then Hodkinson in my opinion. Seen a lot of both of them in the Qld Cup, so you should be sweet at halfback I reckon.

 

[CC_Eagle]

DCE was QLD Cup player of the year correct?

Don't forget we've signed Daniel Harrison from the dogs as well. For those interested, he'll be playing before the Grand Final on Sunday for Canterbury V Windsor in the NSW Cup final.

 

[eagles4eva]

DCE was QLD Cup player of the year correct?

Don't forget we've signed Daniel Harrison from the dogs as well. For those interested, he'll be playing before the Grand Final on Sunday for Canterbury V Windsor in the NSW Cup final.

Cool, thanks for the heads up, I'll watch and see how he goes...

 

[Harold Bishop]

Id like to see guys with potential like Harrison, Lussick, Cunningham, Palau fight it out for forward bench positions, rather than buy a journeyman like Steve Southern or Buddy Gordon.
Higgins will make a great hooker/utility.
Oldfield, Hoppa and Whare would not look out of place in the backline either.

 

[hellteam]

DCE was QLD Cup player of the year correct?

Don't forget we've signed Daniel Harrison from the dogs as well. For those interested, he'll be playing before the Grand Final on Sunday for Canterbury V Windsor in the NSW Cup final.

Yep, won it easily. He was also chosen as the captain of the Qld Residents, which is a massive achievement seeing as he is only 21 and it was his first year in the Qld Cup.

He's a lot more creative then Hodkinson, also a bit quicker I'd say.

 

[zombie jesus]

Nothing new here. We'll be active next season I guess.

 

[CC_Eagle]

Yep, won it easily. He was also chosen as the captain of the Qld Residents, which is a massive achievement seeing as he is only 21 and it was his first year in the Qld Cup.

He's a lot more creative then Hodkinson, also a bit quicker I'd say.

George Rose is a more creative player than Hodkinson.

It look as if Manly will emulate Arsenal and rely on a youth development policy, rather than a 'lets try and sign everyone' system. Which isn't a bad thing, and tbh, is expected after re-signing Foran, Watmough, G.Stewart and Matai within the past 12 months.

Stability is the key. Thankfully, the basic nucleus of our squad (1,6,7 &9) will (hopefully) be there for years to come. With the exception of Canberra and to a lesser extend the Roosters, not many other NRL squads can boast that.

 

[nz eagle]

I thought all the young backs who had a few games each this year did really well - hoppa, whare, oldfield could all step up to regular first grade pretty easily.

I would have liked to see some of the young forwards get more of a go this year, but maybe next year they can see some real minutes with perry etc leaving.

Our main problem is we still have Bailey in the team - when does his contract run out? soon I hope.

 

[Sea Eagle Scuba]

THE Sea Eagles have closed their books on approaching any new players for the 2011 NRL season.
With the departure of Josh Perry (St Helens), Trent Hodkinson (Eels) and Ben Farrar (Catalans), it was expected Manly would pick up a cheap buy to fill the gaps.
Even club great Steve Menzies was mooted as a possible recruit, but he too will join Catalans to close out his career.
Manly CEO Graham Lowe has now confirmed to The Manly Daily the club will not pursue any players for next winter.
“We are not looking for anyone,” he said.
With the likes of Jamie Buhrer, William Hopoate and Michael Oldfield all making their NRL debuts in 2010, the Sea Eagles are leaning on a youth policy next year.
Untried Sunshine Coast half Daly Cherry-Evans is another youngster likely to step up into the vacant halfback position.
While players are not on the radar for next year, Lowe is on the search for a new sponsor.
Two years ago the Sea Eagles were dodging sponsors on their way to winning the 2008 NRL premiership.
Now, the club is still without a major backer for next year’s season with options running thing.
“It’s very difficult out there at the moment,” Lowe said.
“We’ve got to find one, it’s as simple as that. I’m concerned at the timing of it, that’s the difficult part. Finding a sponsor is all about building relationships, these things don’t just happen overnight.
“It’s not something we can fast-track.”
Lowe said approaching club owners Max Delmege, Scott Penn and Manly-Warringah League’s Club is not an option. “The role in many ways of the CEO has changed, we are more a professional beggar these days,” he said.
Lowe said Centrebet will not step in as a major sponsor, but will maintain its place as a jersey sponsor. Quantum, the Sea Eagles’ major sponsor for the past two seasons, will not be back in 2011.
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/eagles-lean-on-youth/

Hodkinson isn't going to the Eels last I heard. I could've sworn he was off to the 'Dogs? :-k

Also, not good news about the new sponsor either! I think we'll struggle bigtime to get anywhere near the $900k Quantum was investing each year. Not good news at all.

 

[jbl31649]

Cherry-Evans is as good, if not better then Hodkinson in my opinion. Seen a lot of both of them in the Qld Cup, so you should be sweet at halfback I reckon.

I heard he was further along in training and skill then Hodkinson aswell. Would like to see some of his qld cup games. I hope Orford gets into his ear about the combo he had with Brett Stewart, because that was one of our key attack plays during 07/08.
Also Manly have proven time and again our best players (aside from lyon)general come fromour juniors and we have less of a turn around in players leaving. Although we sought of ran out off petrol into the finals, it was really a second half defence that killed.
Im sure Des will fix this for a strong 2011 performance.

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

maybe we need a rich supporter to rort the cap too

 

[Bulldog Force]

Hodkinson isn't going to the Eels last I heard. I could've sworn he was off to the 'Dogs? :-k

You are correct.

Also Manly signed Daniel Harrison from the Dogs. Top player that ranga...

 

[Scarves]

I like the idea of giving a couple of speedy young kids a go. Last year we played more direct, which I liked, however we lacked absolute speed finishing. It showed in our stats, I believe we had the least tries from outside the 20 metre zone last year. That points to speed deficiency. Dave Williams and Brett Stewart had that speed but their talent was unavailable in the last campaign. This year those two are like new buys for the club. If Brett recaptures his form, speed and ability to heat seek a gap, I have no doubt we are top tier title contenders.

The Dave Williams courage and form of 2008 would also be very special.

Cherry-Evans I understand has more speed than Hodkinson and the extra year and off season under Foran's belt is only going to make him a better model than last season. Lets hope their decision making and combination carries on from the u20's in 2009. I liked what I saw from Will Hopoate and Dean Whare during their cameo's, they should become better players with a full scale off season under their belts.

Tony Williams looks like developing into that explosive interchange backrower we need. I saw it more last year, he grew in personal confidence as the year progessed, this is now the watershed season for him and his obvious ability.

We do not have the front row depth of seasons past, but King and Kite are top echelon front rowers, and are amongst competition best at their peak. Matt Cross looked solid last year, other than that we need a new kid to step up and make the most on their opportunity like Glen Stewart did when Ben Kennedy retired. George Rose has ability but looked to have become too heavy to be consistently effective last campaign. I love the big man but his form suggests he needs to work harder.

Matai who e=had an exceptional season in 2010 isn't back until rounds 7-8 or something like that and we are like the Travelling Wilbury's during the early rounds of the season. Someone will need to step into the backline void and lock it down. We need to be minimum 4 & 2 after round six or it will be catch up and pressure all season. That kind of pressure is what burnt the candle out at the concluding stages of 2010.

 

[zombie jesus]

Matai will be back in round 5.

 

[BIKER_DRAGON]

A prime example of why the salary cap sucks

 

[Berkeley_Eagle]

Fijian Giant Ashley Kemp has signed a three year deal for $250,000 a year with Manly. He is 202 cm and 127 kilos. 18 year old Kemp has already represented Fiji this year. Kemp played for a junior Fiji side this year. He scored 5 tries in one game 3 times. Manly said "Kemp would be a good buy he is a solid player and thats what we need in our side."

http://fijirugbyleague.webs.com/apps...signs-to-manly

 

[Patorick]

That's a lot for an 18 year old.

 

[zombie jesus]

$250k over three years maybe, not per yer... I doubt that story until I read it somewhere at least a little bit credible rather than some blog site, the quote sounds made up too.

 

[Nice Beaver]

If anyone seriously thinks we've signed an 18 year old Fijian kid for $250k a year I've got a bridge to sell you.

Not doubting we might have signed the bloke..... but $250k a year??? Not even over 3 years. Whats the conversion rate of the Fijian dollar? Might be that if its $250k Fijian dollars.

Not laying sh*t on you either Berkley, just the terms that are quoted.