Manly crisis as star faces medical retirement; Dragons sign Panthers gun — Off-season Central

The 2025 NRL season is done and dusted but the rugby league news keeps rolling.

Follow all the latest developments in our Off Season Central.

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MANLY STAR FACING MEDICAL RETIREMENT

Manly’s veteran hooker Lachlan Croker is reportedly facing medical retirement in a major blow to their 2026 premiership hopes and long-term No.9 plan.

Channel 9’s The Mole reported Croker may be forced to retire after battling a knee injury and concussion issues over the past couple of seasons.

Manly are in talks with the NRL about the possibility of a medical retirement for Croker and salary cap dispensation to help the club move forward in search of another hooker.

Croker played just four games last season and only 20 over the last two years after a consistent stream of injury setbacks.

“It’s a real pity because Lachlan is a fine player and an even better person,” a Sea Eagles insider told Channel 9.

“He’s had a couple of surgeries on the knee and then suffered a serious concussion in training midway through the year.

“The medical retirement is a complicated process that we are just exploring with the NRL.”

Croker has one year remaining on his deal at Manly in 2026 and has played 126 games for the Raiders and Sea Eagles since his debut in 2016, scoring 20 tries.

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Manly have Jake Simpkin on their books for next season, but let Gordon Chan Kum Tong leave the club, so their long-term plan at hooker looks uncertain.

The Sea Eagles have struggled to replace Api Koroisau since he rejoined the Panthers in 2019 before going on to the Tigers.

Croker has been a solid first grader with excellent defence and slick service, but his lack of a running game has hurt the Manly attack at times.

The Sea Eagles will likely go to market on November 1 if Croker is medically retired to create some depth at dummyhalf.

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DRAGONS SIGN PANTHERS OUTSIDE BACK ON MULTI YEAR DEAL

Shane Flanagan has continued his Dragons rebuild signing Panthers outside back David Fale on a two-year deal.

“The Dragons are pleased to announce that David Fale has agreed to a contract that will see the 25-year-old join the club’s Top 30 squad for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, the Dragons said in a statement.

Fale made his NRL debut for the Panthers in Round 26 against the Bulldogs and can play both centre and wing.

Flanagan is excited to work with Fale and take the 25-year-old’s game to the next level at the Dragons.

“Being able to bring David to the club is exciting,” Flanagan said.

““He’s big and athletic and has a lot of talent. He’s spent time in the centres and on the wing, so he adds some valuable depth for us in the backline.

“He comes from a strong system and we’re confident his best football is yet to come. We look forward to welcoming him to the club this preseason.”

Fale scored 22 tries in 43 games for the Panthers in the NSW Cup after debuting in 2023, including 14 tries and 10 try assists in 21 games last season.

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