The Manly Sea Eagles have undergone a period of change off the field, but with Kieran Foran now having almost a full season in charge, the pressure will be on in 2027 to improve the roster.

Manly's roster came into 2026 likely not expecting great things, but the start to their season saw three consecutive losses at home, enough for the club's board to move on Anthony Seibold.

Kieran Foran's instant turnaround on the Northern Beaches similarly wasn't expected, with the club then dropping off towards the end of the season and missing the finals.

All told, they probably finished about where might have been expected in the pre-season, although to not mention Luke Brooks' injury among others wouldn't be fully fair.

Jamal Fogarty's first season at Manly replacing Daly Cherry-Evans certainly didn't go to script, but it's Brooks who is off-contract at the end of 2027 as Manly look to build for the future.

Here is the state of play for Manly as November 1 looms large.

Current 2028 squad

Ethan Bullemor, Kayliss Fatialofa, Clayton Faulalo, Josh Feledy, Jamal Fogarty, Kobe Hetherington, Tolutau Koula, Simione Laiafi, Toni Mataele, Davvy Moale, Haumole Olakau'atu, Taniela Paseka, Jason Saab, Jake Simpkin, Starford To'a, Joey Walsh

Off-contract at the end of 2027

Luke Brooks, Hugo Hart, Lehi Hopoate, Onitoni Large, Caleb Navale, Jackson Shereb, Ben Trbojevic, Jake Trbojevic, Tom Trbojevic, Corey Waddell, Navren Willett

Current 2028 best 19

1. Clayton Faulalo
2. Jason Saab
3. Starford To'a
4. Tolutau Koula
5. Josh Feledy
6. Joey Walsh
7. Jamal Fogarty
8. Ethan Bullemor
9. Jake Simpkin
10. Taniela Paseka
11. Kayliss Fatialofa
12. Haumole Olakau'atu
13. Kobe Hetherington

Interchange
14. Simione Laiafi
15. Toni Mataele
16. Davvy Moale
17. No player signed.
18. No player signed.
19. No player signed.

Manly have 16 players locked in for 2028 at this stage, although there is no doubt some of the off-contract list, led by Lehi Hopoate, will be high priority.

Other young talent needs to be re-signed too, which will eat further into the salary cap available, although that isn't the most pressing concern for Foran and his recruitment staff.

Decisions on the future of the Trbojevic brothers will also be critical to how Manly map their squad out moving forward.

Option 2: Stefano Utoikamanu (Melbourne Storm)

The Sea Eagles showed moments of fleeting brilliance in the middle throughout 2026, but it's also clear they are a little underdone.

Not to the point that it's a disaster, but certainly, they will be looking for an addition somewhere in the middle third.

Stefano Utoikamanu had an excellent season in Melbourne, and while he hasn't cracked the top echelon of props in the NRL, he isn't far away.

The barnstorming prop will be hot property on the open market if he gets to November 1, and Manly are one club that might have the financial resources to drag him away.