Manly are currently facing an uphill battle to retain Reuben Garrick as rival clubs intensify their pursuit of the versatile outside back.
Garrick has played his entire career at Manly since debuting with the club in 2019, featuring as a centre, fullback and winger across his seven seasons.
With a career tally of 1,340 NRL points and a tryscoring strike rate above 50%, it is easy to see why clubs are trying to poach Garrick – and why the Sea Eagles are in real danger of losing him.
Garrick has held talks with the Sydney Roosters as he weighs up his next move after rejecting an initial two-year extension worth around $1.1 million from the Sea Eagles, according to the Daily Telegraph.
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Reports suggest the Roosters have emerged as the strongest contenders for his signature as they prepare for the departure of Mark Nawaqanitawase and the likely end of Daniel Tupou’s long NRL career, giving the club both salary cap room and a vacancy in their starting side.
A major factor working in the Roosters’ favour is Daly Cherry-Evans, who recently left the Sea Eagles for a short-term deal in Bondi and remains close friends with Garrick.
Cherry-Evans is expected to stay with the Roosters in a coaching capacity even if he retires, giving the club another drawcard in their pitch, but they are not the only club fighting for Garrick’s signature.
St George Illawarra also remain firmly interested, with Garrick having come through the Dragons’ junior systems before joining Manly in 2019 and the club desperately needing stability in their outside backs.
The Dragons are eager to strengthen their backline and see Garrick as an ideal fit given his experience at centre, wing and fullback.
There is also growing belief that the Perth Bears may present a big-money option down the track if plans progress and the new club begins recruiting aggressively.
Despite the growing competition, reports indicate Manly are preparing a revised offer in an attempt to keep the long-term club mainstay on the northern beaches.
The combination of immediate NRL suitors and a potential expansion opportunity leaves Garrick with significant leverage heading into a critical period of negotiations.
Whilst Manly remain hopeful of retaining him, the race for his signature is tightening with every passing week and a change of beaches is a very real possibility, with a swim to Bondi looking an increasingly strong chance.
