Former NSW prop Nathan Brown is in talks to become Manly’s next high-profile recruit.
Having already signed Wests Tigers trio Luke Brooks, Tommy Talau and Aitasi James, as well as Roosters three-quarter Jaxson Paulo, the Sea Eagles are looking for further reinforcements. They have just signed Canterbury utility forward Corey Waddell and have opened negotiations with Brown.
The former Tigers, Rabbitohs, Eels and Roosters forward is off contract after completing a short stint at Bondi Junction. Brown and his manager met Manly coach Anthony Seibold on Tuesday about the prospect of a shift to the northern beaches.
Brown would bring with him the experience of a grand final with Parramatta, as well as two appearances for the Blues during the 2020 State of Origin series. The 30-year-old has also represented Italy, the Prime Minister’s XIII and the Australian nines side.
In his first year at Parramatta in 2017, Brown won the Ken Thornett Medal as the club’s best player. However, the Eels allowed him to move on shortly after signing his last contract extension, a move that led to him playing 10 games for the Roosters last year.
Should a Manly deal be struck, Brown will join a forward pack that already includes Jake Trbojevic, Haumole Olakau’atu, Taniela Paseka, Josh Aloiai and Gordon Chan Kum Tong.
Nathan Brown’s form at Parramatta earned him a Blues call-up in 2020.Credit: Getty
The club has salary cap space after several players – including Sean Keppie (Souths), Kelma Tuilagi (Eels) and Kaeo Weekes (Raiders) – opted to join rivals over the summer. The departure of the Fainu brothers, Samuela and Latu, to Wests Tigers has also given the Sea Eagles the means to bolster their depth.
In a club statement, Seibold welcomed the return of Waddell, who made 36 appearances during his first stint at Manly.
“Corey brings to us plenty of experience. He has got really strong relationships with many of the players here already,” Seibold said.
“The thing that interested me in Corey is his work ethic. He is a very hard worker. He adds a different sort of dimension to the middle forwards that we have already got.
“We feel like Corey adds further competition for spots and depth to our squad in 2024.”
Brown aside, Manly’s next priority is preparing for their historic season opener in Las Vegas. Seibold is looking over several grass-based training pitches near the city that will be suitable during the lead-up to the event. The club also plans to hold a camp at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra in January as part of its preparations.
