See ya Dom

[bondi.boy]

I see nothing dynamic about Manu. He played like he didn't want to be here, last season.

Indeed.
I'd go with Toia centre and Marky wing (which is why Dom was moved on?)
Manu played well for us in the past, but we have moved on.

[Mickie Lane]

He would come in very handy especially if we get an injury to the back 5 which probably will happen. He would be the next best if Teddy got injured.
I would have him back for sure but not to slot in at right centre whilst Bobby T is fit.

[dice]

He would come in very handy especially if we get an injury to the back 5 which probably will happen. He would be the next best if Teddy got injured.
I would have him back for sure but not to slot in at right centre whilst Bobby T is fit.

We finally have someone called Bobby and The Fan is nowhere to be found?

[Steggles]

He would come in very handy especially if we get an injury to the back 5 which probably will happen. He would be the next best if Teddy got injured.
I would have him back for sure but not to slot in at right centre whilst Bobby T is fit.

As a back up for injury, definitely. I’d imagine he’d be very expensive to have as a back up though.

[roostermcgregor]

Manu to replace Dom?
I don’t feel so bad now, losing Dom.
Both of them are great players.
It keeps 2 through 5 on their toes.

[Bates]

We're not signing Manu or DCE imo.

[Mickie Lane]

We're not signing Manu or DCE imo.

Batesy DCE is signed 100%

[Inflictor]

As a back up for injury, definitely. I’d imagine he’d be very expensive to have as a back up though.

He won't be on much with half a season gone and we have to replace Dom and Brandon in our Top 30.
If he is happy to be a depth player then I'm all for it. You can't fit him into our backline barring injury.

[Steggles]

He won't be on much with half a season gone and we have to replace Dom and Brandon in our Top 30.
If he is happy to be a depth player then I'm all for it. You can't fit him into our backline barring injury.

I wonder how the NRL would value Manu under the salary cap? I assume his previous salary would come into account in some way. He wasn’t cheap.

[MKCS]

What was Manu on? 700k wasn't it? He's a good player, amazing on his day but the only potential way to fit him into the squad would be something like:

1. Tedesco 2. Mark N 3. Smith 4. Toia 5. Manu

---

If he'd be happy with 500k to play on the wing then I think he'd be an improvement on Tupou who could go back and be a depth player but I really don't think we need him, I'd rather us take the 500k and sign 2 decent depth backs for season 2026 that could potentially cover Smith long term if he goes down to injury again.

[Bates]

What was Manu on? 700k wasn't it? He's a good player, amazing on his day but the only potential way to fit him into the squad would be something like:

1. Tedesco 2. Mark N 3. Smith 4. Toia 5. Manu

---

If he'd be happy with 500k to play on the wing then I think he'd be an improvement on Tupou who could go back and be a depth player but I really don't think we need him, I'd rather us take the 500k and sign 2 decent depth backs for season 2026 that could potentially cover Smith long term if he goes down to injury again.

Do you honestly feel that way about Tupou who is a club legend and is still performing at a very high level?

[MKCS]

Do you honestly feel that way about Tupou who is a club legend and is still performing at a very high level?

I agree with everything you say about Tupou but I think we need to think long term. Tupou is about to to turn 34, we've got him next year as well meaning if we go all the way to the grand final we'll be fielding a 35 year old winger. That's a very old player in a position where youth typically dominates.

I'm not super excited about Manu but if we did go in that direction he's 5 years younger, can cover the entire backline and 5/8 if desperate and we'd have a replacement for Tedesco short term once he retires as well.

[Showsh]

Paul Kent reported Dom Young will be joining Newcastle straight after round 15, which is when the Roosters play Newcastle. It has been done & the transfer fee has been agreed on.

[Bates]

I agree with everything you say about Tupou but I think we need to think long term. Tupou is about to to turn 34, we've got him next year as well meaning if we go all the way to the grand final we'll be fielding a 35 year old winger. That's a very old player in a position where youth typically dominates.

I'm not super excited about Manu but if we did go in that direction he's 5 years younger, can cover the entire backline and 5/8 if desperate and we'd have a replacement for Tedesco short term once he retires as well.

That's a very odd comment considering you've been the biggest DCE advocate.

DCE will be 37 if he joins us and it definitely won't be a longterm deal.

[MKCS]

That's a very odd comment considering you've been the biggest DCE advocate.

DCE will be 37 if he joins us and it definitely won't be a longterm deal.

Not really looking to derail this thread with DCE talk but halves can typically go longer into their careers. DCE, Walker, Reynolds, Hunt, Foran and even our own Chad Townsend are players who are 34 or over and still under first grade contracts.

If there was a younger option just as good as DCE I'd be all for signing him but unfortunately there are no great halves available to sign for the foreseeable future, lots of options for backline players though.