Manly Sea Eagles are reportedly considering a potential move for NSW representative Connor Watson, should he become a free agent in the future. This comes after a strong endorsement from Parramatta star Mitchell Moses, who believes that Leeds coach Brad Arthur would be an ideal fit for the club.
The team’s interim coach, Kieran Foran, has started his tenure on a high note, leading the Sea Eagles to a convincing 52-18 victory over the Dolphins. This win could strengthen Foran’s case for a permanent role, although other candidates such as Brad Arthur, Matt Ballin, and Michael Ennis are also being considered.
Despite this, Manly is looking ahead to the 2027 season and has taken an interest in Watson, who is currently under contract with the Roosters until the end of next year. According to sources not authorised to speak publicly, the Sea Eagles, along with the Bears and PNG, are closely monitoring Watson’s situation.
There is no indication that the Roosters are planning to release Watson before his contract expires, nor has his management requested any early exploration of his options. However, the club is unlikely to oppose Watson if he secures a long-term deal elsewhere.
Manly sees Watson as a potential lock or hooker, positions where the club is still seeking stability beyond this season. The future of Jake Trbojevic remains uncertain due to his history of concussions and recent decline in performance.
Watson delivered one of his strongest performances in years against the Dolphins, playing 63 minutes, making eight runs for 81 metres, and recording 31 tackles. Other standout performers included Haumole Olakau’atu and Taniela Paseka, who contributed significantly to the team’s success. However, Trbojevic’s future beyond this season remains a sensitive issue for the club.
Foran can further solidify his position by securing wins in the upcoming games against the Dragons, Cowboys, and Eels. Among the contenders for the coaching role, Brad Arthur stands out with his impressive credentials. He has coached 264 NRL games, including a grand final appearance in 2022 with Parramatta.
After missing out on opportunities in Perth and PNG, Arthur has led Leeds to the top of the Super League table, a position they haven’t held this deep into a season since 2020. His previous experience as an assistant coach at Manly makes him a familiar and appealing candidate.
Mitchell Moses, now with the Eels, believes Arthur would be a perfect long-term fit for the Sea Eagles. “He’d be unreal,” Moses said. “I’ve had him first-hand here and seen what he can do for a team, especially one not going so well.”
Moses praised Arthur’s ability to implement a specific brand of football and improve players in all aspects of the game. “It’s not so much their attack – they can score points whenever they want – it’s all the little things around that. However that’s coached, I think he’d be perfect for that brand of footy.”
Arthur took over at Parramatta during a challenging period, which included a salary-cap scandal. Moses credited Arthur for helping him both professionally and personally during the club’s recovery. “He helped my game out massively,” Moses said. “I feel like I was a kid coming here and I’d just do whatever, not worry about the consequences and things like that.”
“He taught me how to really control myself in certain situations, game wise, things like that. Just being under him for so long, our relationship grew to be very good. He’s really good around the team and he’s a bit more than a coach. He’s really good.”
