Manly confirm Luke Brooks deal in $6 million signing spree

Manly have confirmed they have recruited Luke Brooks and the signings of several other players in an impressive signing spree.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 30: Jaxson Paulo of the Roosters looks on during the round nine NRL match between New Zealand Warriors and Sydney Roosters at Mt Smart Stadium on April 30, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Manly have announced an impressive quartet of signings, headlined by the recruitment of Wests Tigers star Luke Brooks.

The Sea Eagles confirmed on Monday afternoon they had signed Brooks on a four-year deal, which The Daily Telegraph reports is worth around $2.8 million.

His recruitment means Brooks will play five-eighth alongside halfback Daly Cherry-Evans from next season, giving Manly a strong halves combination.

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Brooks’ signing will likely see the Josh Schuster five-eighth experiment end and his return to the backrow.

Manly also announced the signings of Jaxson Paulo from the Sydney Roosters and Tommy Talau from the West Tigers, and that Tolu Koula would remain at the club for another three years from the end of the 2024 season.

According to the Daily Telegraph, the combined signings of Brooks, Koula, Poulo and Talau are worth $6 million.

“Luke is a quality half-back, a former Dally M halfback of the Year, and brings over 200 games of experience to our club,’’ Manly coach Anthony Seibold said.

“He has got a fantastic left foot kicking game and is a really good runner of the football.

“We feel as though he will add to the spine players we have already got at our club.”

Jaxson Paulo is joining Manly from the Roosters. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Paulo, 23, has scored 25 tries in 54 NRL matches through stints at South Sydney and now the Sydney Roosters.

“Jaxson brings over 50 games of NRL experience with him. He has been in really good systems at the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters,’’ Seibold said.

“His best year was in 2021 where he appeared in the NRL Grand Final. The thing I liked about him that year was just the consistency in his performance.

“He has started the year really strongly for the Roosters and we feel as though his best football is in front of him.”

Talau, 23, has scored 19 tries in 44 matches for the Wests Tigers since his NRL debut against Manly in 2019.

“Tommy is someone I’ve watched closely for a number of years. He made his debut as an 18-year-old at the Tigers but he has been hampered a little bit by missing the full 2022 season,’’ Seibold added.

“I think he has shown this year his aggression. He is a powerful player but he also shows great skill.

“What Jaxson and Tommy add to us is competition for spots because we are trying to build consistent performances as a team.

“We want competition for spots and they add to the quality that we have already got in our outside backs.”

Manly have signed Tommy Talau.

Tolu Koula got a contract extension.

Seibold said Koula deserved a contract extension after the impression the 20-year-old centre has made since his NRL debut for Manly last year.

“Tolu has been a real find for our club over the last 18 months,’’ Seibold added.

“He has come through here as a junior, playing in our Harold Matthews and SG Ball teams.

“Tolu has further improved as a player this season and we feel that he has got great potential.

“With Tolu now signed on for another couple of years, we are really looking forward to seeing him play his best football.”

Manly CEO Tony Mestrov said the club was delighted to have secured Brooks, Paulo, and Talau, bringing added depth to the playing roster.

“Luke is a very fine player who will enjoy a fresh start and some much-needed stability at Manly,’’ Mestrov said.

“We believe his game will only further improve working alongside Daly Cherry-Evans and playing with the likes of Josh Schuster and Tom Trbojevic behind a very strong forward pack.

“For a young man, Jaxson has already made a strong impression, having played in an NRL Grand Final as well as being a Test player.

“Tommy can cover wing and centre and is a player with plenty of speed and skill.

“We believe all three players will only further improve their game under Anthony Seibold.”