Manly star Reuben Garrick informs Sea Eagles he is leaving club, set to join NRL rival
Manly star Reuben Garrick has informed the team he will depart after 2026, with a reunion with a former teammate on the cards for the Sea Eagles centre.
The Sydney Roosters are set to land another body-blow on Manly – and set themselves up for life after Mark Nawaqanitawase and Daniel Tupou – after securing the prized signature of Sea Eagles back Reuben Garrick.
Garrick was off contract at the end of 2026 and rejected a two-year extension with the Sea Eagles worth upwards of $1.1 million, informing Manly officials on Thursday that he would leave the club after next season.
St George Illawarra were also believed to be in the mix for Garrick but it is understood that the Roosters have trumped their rivals as they add depth and experience to their backline in anticipation of some significant departures at the end of 2026.
Nawaqanitawase, coming off a season which culminated in selection for the Ashes tour, has already announced he will head back to rugby union at the end of next year as he chases a return to the Wallabies for the World Cup.
Tupou has been a longstanding and loyal member of the Roosters but his stellar career is coming to an end and the expectation is that 2026 will be his last at the club.
Garrick’s decision has now heaped pressure on Manly as they look to ensure centre Tolu Koula remains at the club. His departure may help their cause, giving them extra cash to ensure Koula inks a new long-term deal – he is off contract at the end of next season, although he has an option in his favour for 2027.
Manly would prefer to strike a new deal that would extend well beyond 2027 given the way Koula has elevated his game over the past 12 months.
Garrick has been a fixture in the Manly backline for the past seven years but this masthead revealed last month that he would head to the open market after talks with Manly over a two-year extension had hit a hurdle.
The Sea Eagles still harboured hopes of keeping the 28-year-old but the Roosters entered the picture and turned Garrick’s head with a lucrative two year deal of their own.
It is understood Garrick also believed his opportunity to forge a career in the business world would be enhanced by joining the Roosters given the club’s network of high-powered supporters.
His decision comes after former teammate and good friend Daly Cherry-Evans left Manly and joined the Roosters in a blaze of controversy. Cherry-Evans quit the Sea Eagles at the end of this season to take up a one year deal at the Roosters for the 2026 season, although it is understood there is an option in his deal for 2027 depending on his the next 12 months play out.
If he decides to play on, he will be reunited with Garrick as the long-time teammates prepare to join forces at one of Manly’s Sydney rivals. Another ex-Sea Eagle in Tommy Talau will also formally join the Roosters on a one year deal in December
Garrick was seen playing golf with new Manly captain Tom Trbojevic on Thursday morning. The pair were joined by Kieran Foran and Lachie Croker.
Garrick is third top point scorer in Manly history with 1,340 points. Barring injury he will go past Jamie Lyon in 20206 and will finish his career at the Sea Eagles behind only Graham Eadie.
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Originally published as Manly star Reuben Garrick informs Sea Eagles he is leaving club, set to join NRL rival
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