New Dragons coach Shane Flanagan continues to express his desire to lure Roosters superstar Joey Manu to the Red V, offering an incentive that could be too good to refuse.
Flanagan is keen to quickly turn his new club into a powerhouse after some poor form in recent years and Manu, in addition to Warriors prop Addin Fonua-Blake are at the top of the coach’s wishlist.
Manu is off-contract at the end of next season, and while Flanagan says it’s unlikely the 2022 Golden Boot winner leaves the Roosters, he was keen to pitch to the star centre and his management via an interview with Channel 9.
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“I love Joey Manu, he’s been one of my favourite players for many, many years,” Flanagan said.
“I’m really, really doubtful he’ll leave the Roosters, but I just wanted his management to know that if he wanted, he could be captain, fullback, do whatever he wants.
“I’d definitely want to have a chat with him, but it’s highly unlikely it’ll ever get to that stage.
“I’m not saying I’ll take the captaincy off Ben (Hunt), but I want to get a quality player like Joey, I need to entice him to come down to the club.
“He’s a quality player, but let’s be really honest, I don’t think he’ll move.”
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This isn’t the first time Flanagan has shared of his interest in Manu, opening up to foxsports.com.au last week about the Dragons’ targets.
The Dragons have finished inside the top eight just twice in the past 11 seasons, and have ended the year no better than 10th since 2019.
Flanagan, who coached the Sharks to a premiership in 2016, has made no secret that he is chasing superstar players to improve the Dragons’ roster and Manu fits the bill.
Flanagan’s comments regarding Manu comes amid reports the Dragons have ramped up their $3 million bid for Dally M prop of the year Addin Fonua-Blake.
Fonua-Blake is currently contracted with the Warriors but requested an immediate release so he could move closer to his parents in Sydney.
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