Veteran former Wests Tigers recruiter Warren McDonnell is deep in negotiations to join Manly just months after Scott Fulton shifted the other way from the northern beaches to the joint-venture outfit.
McDonnell has long been the right-hand man for premiership-winning Tigers coach Tim Sheens, but is set to join the Sea Eagles after recently finishing up at the wooden spooners. McDonnell, having enjoyed several stints at the Tigers and also one at Canterbury, could continue his career as a talent spotter for coach Anthony Seibold.
The appointment of Fulton at Concord raised speculation that he could lure some of Manly’s best young talent to the Tigers. While incoming coach Benji Marshall overruled Fulton’s attempt to sign Sea Eagles playmaker Josh Schuster, the son of the late, great Bob Fulton has signed siblings Latu and Samuela Fainu from the Silvertails from next season.
Fulton struck another significant blow when he signed Dragons playmaker Jayden Sullivan on a four-year deal. Sullivan is expected to partner with Leeds Rhinos veteran Aidan Sezer in the halves from 2024.
While Fulton has inside knowledge about Manly’s salary cap position, the same can be said about McDonnell when it comes to the Tigers’ roster. The wooden spooners have some of the most talented young juniors in the game on their books, some who have been identified by McDonnell.
McDonnell, who could join Peter Gentle as a Manly list manager, knows the junior talent available in the Sydney basin and will look to utilise his network of contacts for of his new employers. Luke Brooks and Tommy Talau are two Tigers that have signed for the Sea Eagles from next season and McDonnell, a former police detective, may seek to add to that number if a deal is struck.
Warren McDonnell will be a key part of Anthony Seibold’s support team.Credit: James Brickwood
McDonnell said he was in negotiations with several clubs.
“I’ve only been out of the game for four or five weeks,” McDonnell said. “I still love the game and I’m looking forward to get back in. Where I’m at, that hasn’t been decided yet.”
The Sea Eagles remain under the salary cap for next year despite bolstering their roster. A call is yet to be made on some off-contract players, but Matt Lodge will likely remain. Despite suffering an ACL injury, Lodge is poised to add to the three Manly games he has notched since shifting from the Roosters.
The Sea Eagles are expected to be one of the clubs chosen to open the 2024 NRL season in Las Vegas, with an official announcement expected in coming days.
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