Journeyman Zach Dockar-Clay in the frame to step in as Manly’s new dummy half
Manly are scrambling to find a potential hooker replacement for Manase Fainu, but may be forced to turn to a part-time rake from within if they can’t afford a free agent.
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An unknown New Zealand journeyman who played with Hull Kingston Rovers has emerged as a surprise candidate to fill what could be Manly’s vacant hooking position for next season.
His name is Zach Dockar-Clay, a 24-year-old who has already played with Parramatta, Penrith, Hull KR, Townsville Blackhawks and Manly’s feeder club, Blacktown Workers.
With 2019 roster member Lachlan Croker early favourite to start 2020 at hooker should Manase Fainu be unavailable, Dockar-Clay and Cade Cust are two other strong candidates.
The Sea Eagles hooking role has become clouded after the NRL triggered its no-fault stand-down policy on Fainu, who is banned from playing until his court case is completed.
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Fainu is on remand awaiting trial after being charged with stabbing a man at a church dance on Friday night near Liverpool. He is claiming to be the victim of a mistaken identity.
It means Manly coach Des Hasler may need to start considering his hooking options throughout the off-season.
The Sea Eagles believe Croker would comfortably adapt to dummy half.
Dockar-Clay played 78 games for Parramatta’s NYC side between 2012 and 2015 and was also a member of Penrith’s 2016 Auckland Nines side.
Cust is a halfback or five-eighth but he took could be manufactured into a hooker. He made his NRL debut in round 10 this year against Cronulla and was part of Manly’s 2017 NYC grand final winning side.
Manly has several other options. Off contract former New Zealand and Souths hooker Issac Luke is available, his asking price said to be less than $200,000.
Another possibility would be Knights hooker Danny Levi, who could leave Newcastle after the club signed Cronulla’s Jayden Brailey.
Hasler may look though to promote from within despite this year’s NRL squad containing just two specialist hookers – Fainu and Api Koroisau.
Unaware Fainu would find trouble, Hasler allowed Koroisau to leave Brookvale after last season to join Penrith.
In the past two seasons, Manly has let Jackson Hastings leave for England and local junior Sam Verrills – who played for Avalon Bulldogs – join Sydney Roosters.
Manly could look outside of their roster should the club be given some form of salary cap dispensation from the NRL.
That would however mean the club must find additional money for a replacement hooker.
Manly has a board meeting Friday night where the Fainu drama is expected to be discussed.
Losing Fainu would be a horrid blow for a Manly side which shocked the NRL this season by reaching week two of the finals.
Italian international and former junior standout Joey Tramontana played hooker briefly for Blacktown this year but is a long shot to play NRL in 2020.