Sea Eagles stand by boycotters with two key players signing new deals
It’s been a turbulent few weeks for the Sea Eagles, but they’ve had a rare win with a couple of young stars signing new deals with the club.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The Sea Eagles have extended Haumole Olakau’atu’s contract for another season just hours after the embattled club confirmed Jason Saab had re-signed.
Olakau’atu was already under contract until the end of the 2024 season but extended that deal by a further 12 months in a rare bit of good news for the club following Des Hasler’s departure last week.
The barnstorming back-rower is coming off his best season in the NRL and is currently in the UK playing for Tonga at the World Cup.
“We are very pleased to have secured Haumole to the end of 2025,” Manly CEO Tony Mestrov said.
“He is only 24-years-old and he will only improve even further in the years ahead.
“Haumole has taken his game to another level and is clearly one of the most destructive second-rowers in the NRL now.”
The extension came on the same day Olakau’atu and Tongan teammate Tolu Koula finally defended their call to boycott the club’s Pride jersey; a decision which ultimately cost Hasler his job.
Olakau’atu was one of seven players who didn’t wear the jersey, as was Saab, who also inked a new deal that will keep him at Manly until the end of the 2026 season.
The speedster will miss much of next year as he recovers from an ACL injury, but he says his best footy is still ahead of him and that the Sea Eagles will only improve after they missed this year’s finals series.
“For a pretty young team, we are only going to get better with experience. There is plenty of raw talent here at Manly and it is very exciting time to be here,‘’ Saab said.
“I feel there is a good opportunity for us to win a premiership again at Manly and I want to be a part of it.”
Originally published as Sea Eagles stand by boycotters with two key players signing new deals
Can Hunt’s ‘new toys’ deliver him the ultimate Broncos redemption?
When prized Broncos recruit Ben Hunt excitedly told his wife he had a new set of toys at Brisbane, he was met with bemusement. Hunt then rattled off every backline weapon at his disposal.
Qld club ditches Brown pursuit, closes in on Super League star
A Queensland club has emerged as the first to rule out a pursuit of signing Dylan Brown after revelations of his mega asking price, instead closing in on the signature of a Super League star.