Clayton Faulalo signs new deal with Manly Sea Eagles, Jesse Arthars to leave Brisbane Broncos

Clayton Faulalo has been rewarded with a contract extension after a standout period filling for the injured Tom Trbojevic, with the 26-year-old signing on for a further two seasons at Manly.

Faulalo, who is sidelined this week with a hamstring injury, impressed at fullback in the absence of Trbojevic and has scored six tries in his past eight games while also adding six try assists and seven linebreaks.

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The versatile Faulalo entered the Sea Eagles’ top 30 roster last year after biding his time in NSW Cup for two seasons and is capable of playing across the entire backline, which makes him a valuable addition to Manly’s NRL squad.

Now Faulalo will remain at the northern beaches until at least the end of 2029 following his extension, which Manly confirmed on Friday afternoon.

“I’m loving my footy here at Manly, it’s a strong club with a great group of players,” Faulalo said.

“I’m really excited about what this team can achieve this season and in future years and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

Sea Eagles coach Kieran Foran said the club was “thrilled” to secure a new deal with Faulalo, who is a “terrific footy player” and “very important part of the team”.

“He’s got a wonderful energy about him, he is a great character, and we’re all thrilled that ‘Clayto’ is here to stay for at least a few more years,” Foran added.

Faulalo suffered a low-grade hamstring strain in Manly’s win over South Sydney, but is not expected to be sidelined for too long.

When he returns, he may have to settle for a spot on the interchange with Manly’s backline now at full-strength but the moment an injury hits Faulalo will quickly find himself back in the starting line-up.

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BRONCO SNAPPED UP IN ‘MAJOR STATEMENT SIGNING’ BY SUPER LEAGUE SIDE

Elsewhere, the Broncos have confirmed Jesse Arthars will depart the club at the end of the year.

Arthars was poised to join the Titans on a multi-year deal worth around $600,000 before that offer was pulled after he missed a deadline set by the Gold Coast.

Arthars was said to have met with the Titans on multiple occasions but wanted to sound out interest from Japanese rugby before signing on.

Ultimately, the Titans were made to wait too long and made the call to withdraw the offer to Arthars, who in the end instead has signed a two-year deal with the Catalans Dragons.

Arthars is just the latest player to leave the club, with Payne Haas moving to South Sydney next year and Adam Reynolds hanging up the boots.

Up to nine players are coming off-contract next year, with Gehamat Shibasaki one of the Broncos’ backline regulars who could be squeezed out of the club.

One Bronco who will be staying put beyond this year is the impressive Tom Duffy, who inked a two-year extension with the club earlier in the year.

However, beyond that Shibasaki, Ben Hunt and Billy Walters are among the biggest names without a deal for next season while Hayze Perham, Jack Gosiewski, Josh Rogers, Jaiyden Hunt and Delouise Hoeter are also playing for their future.

Broncos General Manager of Football Operations, Troy Thomson, said

Arthars said that he was “excited” to be linking up with Catalans next year, while head coach John Cartwright called it a “major statement signing”.

“I have worked with Jesse at the Broncos,” Cartwright said.

“He’s a class player on and off the field. He is a good character and a hard worker in the peak of his career. It’s a major statement signing by the club.”

FORAN BACKS OLAKAU’ATU TO EARN BLUES RECALL

Sea Eagles coach Kieran Foran is confident edge forward Haumole Olakau’atu can fight his way back into the NSW side for the State of Origin decider after the barnstorming back-rower was a shock omission for game two at the MCG.

Olakau’atu has been the best second-rower in 2026, with the Manly machine averaging a career-high 165m per game – 43 more than his previous best – while he’s already matched his best in try assists and will shatter his personal best for tackle breaks.

But after starting in the series opener, Olakau’atu was sensationally left out of the 19 for game two in Melbourne where the NSW right edge collapsed defensively as the Maroons piled on the points to force a decider.

Dylan Lucas was shifted to the right and struggled on debut, with calls already for NSW coach Laurie Daley to recall the Sea Eagles star who was dropped for reasons unknown.

“I’ve said it from the start that I wouldn’t have any other back-rower in the country ahead of Haumole,” Foran said.

“I think what he brings to a footy side is unique, it’s different to what many other back-rowers can bring, and I absolutely love that about him.

“I think Haumole will just do what Haumole does best (on Saturday against the Bulldogs), which is turn up and perform to the best of his ability.

“I don’t think he’ll be too worried about proving people wrong and trying to make a statement.

“I think we know what sort of footballer he is and what he can bring to a footy side, particularly ours. We just want him to go out there and back himself 100 per cent in everything he does.

“That’s what he’s been doing for us, and his form this year has been unbelievable. It’s been as good as it’s ever been. I just want him to keep going with that.”

Olakau’atu isn’t the only big name Sea Eagle in the mix for Origin III, with superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic set to make a timely return from the hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined since round 7.

Foran said the club took a “cautious approach” with their best player given his history of hamstring injuries and backed Trbojevic to get the job done if Daley decided to pick him in the outside backs in Brisbane.

“It’s his first game back, so he’ll want to put in a complete 80-minute performance for us tomorrow night and then see how he pulls up,” he said.

“But there is no doubt in my mind that if he’s called upon, he’ll be able to get the job done (for NSW).”

While Trbojevic is physically fit again, Foran was proud of the fullback’s mental resilience over the past two months given how frustrated he must have been to suffer yet another injury setback.

Being sidelined was made easier by the fact Manly kept winning while he was away, with the club surging up the ladder since Foran took over.

“He obviously would prefer to be out there and in control of things, so it was tough for him sitting up there in the coach’s box watching on,” Foran said.

“But it was a great luxury for us to have him up there. He’s one of the smartest footballers I’ve ever come across and he sees the game so well.

“Observing Tommy, I just feel like he didn’t want to put too much emphasis on this latest hammy injury. I think he’s been here so many times before and he really is such a hard worker in his preparation.

“I think for Tommy it was just about not overthinking this latest one. It’s part of what’s happened throughout his footy career and he just knuckled down. He worked as hard as he could, as fast as he could to get his body back to where it needed to go.”

— Martin Gabor (NCA NewsWire)