Manly throw Brandon Wakeham a career lifeline after drug charges dropped
Brandon Wakeham was facing serious drug charges just last month, but with the charges now withdrawn the playmaker is looking to resurrect his NRL career with the Sea Eagles.
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Manly have thrown Brandon Wakeham a rugby league lifeline after his drug charges were withdrawn and dismissed.
Wakeham’s career appeared finished when he was arrested in dramatic circumstances outside 4Pines Park after training for Manly’s feeder club Blacktown in May.
But those serious drug charges were dropped in November which has now paved the way for the 25-year-old to be given another crack at resurrecting his first grade career.
Wakeham has signed a train-and-trial deal with the Sea Eagles starting from next year.
He will be given a short window to prove that he can still play first grade with the deal initially just for four weeks.
The Sea Eagles will assess Wakeham’s progress during that month-long period before deciding if they will keep him on their books by offering a season-long train and trial, a supplementary contract, or a top 30 deal.
A train and trial player earns $1200 a week.
The Sea Eagles have been looking to add some depth to their halves and were in discussions with Ronald Volkman before he signed with Parramatta.
Wakeham played the last of his 40 top grade games for the Tigers in 2023. He played 15 games in his only season at the Tigers having joined the club from Canterbury.
He signed a contract with Manly’s feeder club Blacktown this year, where he featured in 10 NSW Cup games.
Wakeham fronted the NRL’s integrity unit last month before being given the green light to return.
“I’d love to get back into footy,” Wakeham told Channel 9 in November. I’d love to get back into a full-time system. I feel like without arrogance that I still have something to offer.
“I was walking to my car and all of a sudden it felt like 50 policemen jumped out of a van next to my car and arrested me and I was just in shock from then on.
“I’m still in shock a bit, but it was a bit scary at the time.”
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Originally published as Manly throw Brandon Wakeham a career lifeline after drug charges dropped
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