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The player the Sea Eagles can't lose after Garrick's departure
Sam Kosack • November 28th, 2025 4:19 pm
The Sea Eagles cannot afford to lose speedster Toluta'u Koula, according to SEN’s Jimmy Smith and Michael Carayannis.
Following Reuben Garrick’s rumoured departure to the Roosters, the Sea Eagles’ attention should now turn to keeping Koula at the club, with the centre attracting the attention of the Perth Bears.
Koula enjoyed a breakout season in 2025, playing a career-high 22 games to score 17 tries and average 149 metres.
Coming through the club's junior system, Koula has an option in his contract for the 2027 season but is free to sign with rivals.
Garrick’s exit, along with Tommy Talau preparing to join the Roosters on a one-year deal effective immediately, prompted Jimmy Smith and Michael Carayannis to declare Koula’s retention a must for the Sea Eagles.
“He’s a freak,” Carayannis exclaimed on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“(He’s) an out and out superstar who they just need to get him involved in the game a bit more, but he has to stay at the club.”
“If I was a Perth Bears fan, I’d be very excited if Toluta'u was touring the facilities,” Smith responded.
“He’d be the guy that I’d be chasing as a fullback.
“He’s the best fullback not playing fullback in the National Rugby League.
“The half game that he played against Newcastle (at fullback)... he was explosive, superb.”
As for the departure of Garrick, the duo agreed that while it was a loss for the Sea Eagles, they were positioned to cover his exit.
“As disappointed as they are to lose him, his value for Manly is different than it was last time he was off contract,” Carayannis said.
“Last time he was off contract… he was the number one back-up for Tom Trbojevic and did a great job playing fullback.
“Number one goal kicker at the club, playing multiple positions. Now, he’s not the back-up and then… he might not be their first-choice goal kicker next year with Fogarty coming.
“So that value changes a little bit.”
