Manly Sea Eagles have pulled off a major coup with the signing of brilliant young Gold Coast Titans centre Brian Kelly.

The Sea Eagles fended off several NRL clubs and the Titans for his signature for 2018-19 and see him as a guilt edge investment for the future.

Sea Eagles Head of Football Bob Fulton spotted 20-year-old Kelly last season when looking at another Gold Coast youngster, Jed Cartwright – son of Manly Assistant Coach John Cartwright.

John Cartwright, the foundation coach of the Titans, said securing Kelly’s signature was massive for the Sea Eagles.

“Brian is a really powerful, fast kid, who can play full-back, wing, and centre. He has a similar build to Dylan Walker,’’ John said.

“Everyone up north has a huge opinion of him. It was never a case of thinking not if, but when, he will play NRL.”

Sea Eagles 2026 Player Movements

2026 Gains
Zach Dockar-Clay (Sydney Roosters, 2026), Jamal Fogarty (Canberra Raiders, 2028), Kobe Hetherington (Brisbane Broncos, 2029), Blake Wilson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, 2027)
2026 Losses
Josh Aloiai (retired), Jake Arthur (Hull FC), Gordon Chan Kum Tong (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Michael Chee-Kam (retired), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sydney Roosters), Lachlan Croker (retired), Aitasi James (released), Matthew Lodge (North Queensland Cowboys), Dean Matterson (Super XIII), Chris Patolo (Huddersfield Giants), Toafofoa Sipley (Warrington Wolves), Jazz Tevaga (Wakefield Trinity), Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega (North Sydney Bears)
Re-Signed
Jake Simpkin (2028), Corey Waddell (2027)
Off Contract 2026
Nathan Brown, Zach Dockar-Clay, Simione Laiafi, Onitoni Large, Zaidas Muagututia, Aaron Schoupp, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Jake Trbojevic