Manly's Five Potential Options To Partner DCE In The Halves Next Year

Who will it be?


Article heading image for Manly's Five Potential Options To Partner DCE In The Halves Next Year

After letting go Blake Green, to take up a lucrative contract with the Warriors, many thought the Sea Eagles were destined to land Mitchell Pearce, especially after being released just minutes after Green signed with the Warriors.

Although, as things would turn out, the Knights would win the race to sign Pearce leaving Manly in the lurch 'without' a halves partner for Daly Cherry-Evans. 

With not many options on the market, we list the five potential options the Sea Eagles could have wearing the number six (or seven) jersey in 2018.

Trent Hodkinson

With the Knights signing Conor Watson and Mitchell Pearce, plus the emerging Brock Lamb on their roster, Hodkinson has fallen tremendously down the pecking order with the Knights.

The Sea Eagles might be he's best/only option to continue his NRL career.

Fairfax Media have reported Hodkinson's management have held talks with the Sea Eagles about a potential move back to the club where he made his NRL debut.

It could be a great deal for both parties with Hodkinson being able to continue his NRL career and the Sea Eagles get a bargain buy with the Knights expected to foot the majority of his salary. 

Otherwise the former NSW-halfback could be one of the most expensive players to ever run around in the NSW Cup. 

Brock Lamb

After getting a taste of NRL action last season, Lamb might want to move on after the arrival of Watson and Pearce. 

Lamb could be relegated to a bench role for the 2018 season, after being a mainstay in the Knights lineup in 2017, meaning minutes might be hard to come by.  

The 20-year-old could be a great long-term halves option for the Sea Eagles, especially with DCE only two-years into his lifetime deal with the club. 

Todd Carney

If reports are correct Todd Carney could make a sensational return to the NRL with the Sea Eagles in 2018.

Carney ended his Australian rugby league exile when he signed a deal to play with QLD Cup side Northern Pride in 2018, but has always affirmed his interest to have one last crack in the NRL. 

Sea Eagles coach Trent Barrett told News Corp, while they haven't had formal discussion with Carney, the club is keeping an eye on the controversial playmaker.

If the Sea Eagles were to attempt signing Carney it would need to be rubber-stamped by the NRL after his contract with the Sharks was cancelled in 2014.

Jackson Hastings
Post

The Sea Eagles might not have to look to far to find an ideal replacement for Blake Green, with fiery youngster Jackson Hastings looking to secure a starting spot at the club

Hastings, whose contract expires at the end of the 2018 season, played only nine times in his debut year (2017) for the club, mostly from the bench.

The 21-year-old former Rooster, is hoping Barrett will have the faith in him to partner DCE rather than go to the open market. 

Lachlan Croker 

The highly-rated 20-year-old joined the Sea Eagles from the Raiders on a one-year deal amid the Mitchell Pearce saga and would jump at the chance if given the opportunity to partner DCE. 

In fact, he's already upstaged his potential halves parter during the club's annual 2km pre-season time-trial, where Croker was too quick for second-placed Cherry-Evans. 

The nephew of former Raider Jason Croker, Lachlan has only one game of NRL experience making his debut in 2016. 

Barrett could give Croker or Hastings a chance in the number six jersey and keep roughly $800,000 in the salary cap to strengthen his squad elsewhere.  

For all the latest NRL news download the Triple M NRL App:

CLICK HERE for Apple 

CLICK HERE for Android

 

 

8 December 2017




Listen Live!

Up Next