Inside new Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach’s recruitment plans for first season in charge

They featured in two of the past three Queensland Cup grand finals, but next year the Wynnum Manly Seagulls will look a lot different with a new coach at the helm.

The new man in charge of the Wynnum Manly Seagulls is facing a massive challenge as he tries to cover the losses of seven key departures from the club, including four legends who helped take the team to two of the past three grand finals.

Former NRL player Mathew Head, who also was an assistant coach at the St George Illawarra Dragons, is facing almost a blank canvas as he builds his squad for his first season at the helm at Kougari Oval.

Taking over from Adam Brideson, Head’s biggest challenge is to replace four pillars of the Seagulls team after they decided to retire.

Sam Scarlett is one of the four key players retiring. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Talented playmaker Sam Scarlett and forwards Aaron Rockley, Max Elliott and Matiu Love-Henry have all hung up the boots after the end of the 2022 Hostplus Cup (Queensland Cup) season.

Head said those players would be impossible to replace.

“They’re obviously all great players and outstanding people and club men from everything I’ve heard and that’s probably the biggest thing at a club like Wynnum,” he said.

Sam Scarlett and Aaron Rockley after losing the Intrust Super Cup Grand Final to the Norths Devils in 2021. Picture: Richard Walker

“They’ve all been a massive part of the club’s success in recent years so it’s sad to see them go, but they were all open and honest with me that they were going to retire after this past season.

“We’d still love to have them around the club and if they ever get the itch to play again, I’m sure we’d have them in an instant.”

New Wynnum Manly Seagulls coach Mathew Head.

Scarlett, who went through many ups and downs at the club after moving to the bayside, including the death of best friend and former captain Mitch Cronin as well as two grand final losses, said the switch to the Seagulls was probably the best decision he has made in his life.

“It was just was getting too much with family and work and everything. I’ve got a young family now so need to spend more time with them on weekends,” he said.

“I’ll miss the club a lot, it’s an amazing club.

“What Brido (Brideson) has built there over the past few years is a credit to him.”

Forward Aaron Rockley is also retiring. Picture: Chris Higgins

The Seagulls will also be without Zac Hosking, who signed with the Penrith Panthers, Mat Lyons, who took an opportunity with Toowoomba/Canterbury and young gun Harrison Graham, who joined the Dolphins NRL.

Head will also welcome several key players back in 2023, including Kalolo Saitaua, Kiko Manu, Sione Hopoate and Luke Gale.

He said he was confident the club would have the squad to make an impact next season.

“We’re in the process of building it now and we’re after people who obviously can play but people who fit the club’s culture and everything as well,” he said.

“We expect to have some key signings made in the coming weeks, which is important because we want our playing list sorted for the start of preseason on November 19.”

Head also kept the same staff from Brideson’s time as coach and added experienced Hostplus Cup playmaker Darren Nicholls, who also played NRL for the Dragons, as an assistant coach.