Manly has lost an unsung hero to medical retirement. How will they replace him?

Lachlan Croker is the sort of player whose value can go unnoticed.

While the 28-year-old spent most of his time at hooker with the Sea Eagles, his utility value was always there.

Now Croker's career, as a player, is finished after his medical retirement.

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Wide World of Sports first revealed Croker was set to retire in mid-October due to concussion issues with Manly confirming the news on December 1.

Considering the retirement has been brewing for months, Manly have clearly thought about how to cover his loss and have been plotting roster moves in the background.

But in the long-term, where does the club go from here?

Croker was a popular figure, evident by the fact he's now moved into coaching.

"I'm excited about the next chapter in life and the transition into coaching," Croker said in a club statement.

"It's a big responsibility heading up the Under 19s and helping the next crop of talent coming through.

"I'm really fortunate to have a great crew around me with Parks [Brad Parker] and Jack [Jack Johns] on board as my assistant coaches."

So who fills the No.9 hole?

Jake Simpkin has been the hooker since Croker was ruled out last year while Joey Walsh played off the bench in Manly's final game.

Jazz Tevaga filled the role at times in 2025 but departed at the end of the season and will finish his career in the Super League. Zach Dockar-Clay was signed by the Sea Eagles three weeks ago and will be there for depth.

Would Manly feel they could push for a premiership with either Simpkin or Dockar-Clay at No.9? That's a question for the decision makers inside the four walls but would appear overly optimistic given the quality of the hookers - Ben Hunt at the Broncos, Harry Grant at the Storm, Blayke Brailey at the Sharks and Mitch Kenny at the Panthers - boasted by the last four clubs standing in 2025.

In recent years, Manly has arguably underachieved. Much of that is through no fault of their own, simply down to the injury concerns of Tom Trbojevic.

But now the Sea Eagles are in a new era.

Daly Cherry-Evans is gone, as is Tony Mestrov. Trbojevic is the captain. Jamal Fogarty is the halfback and Walsh is looming as the next man in charge.

Throw in the incredibly crisp 80-year anniversary jersey and there should be only good things on the horizon.

Much of Manly's problems at hooker stem from what happened in 2019.

The Sea Eagles had one of the competition's best on its books in Api Koroisau. However, the club put all its chips on Manase Fainu. We know how that story ended.

Then Croker had to fill a role and did it admirably.

But now Simpkin is the man. Can the Sea Eagles find anyone on the market to support him?

Hookers on the market

Premiership-winning Bronco Cory Paix is off contract again this year. Remember, Anthony Seibold was the man who changed him from a halfback to hooker at the Broncos.

Over the years though Paix has appeared reluctant to leave Brisbane. That situation will become interesting this year with Blake Mozer likely to be ready to assume the No.9 role by the end of the season. Billy Walters is also off contract.

Sam Verrills is available too, but it'd be a shock if the Titans let him go.

The 2026 season is also the final year of Damien Cook's contract too.

Essentially, the options are limited when it comes to the market. What also has to be factored in his the Perth Bears who will need at least two hookers on the books.

What's the future look like?

Manly added Zaidas Muagututia to the top 30 for the 2026 season in a sure sign this could be the future.

Muagututia played 19 matches in NSW Cup last year and was on the supplementary list after joining from the Bulldogs. His best performance came in the final round when he scored two tries against Newtown.

In 2024 when Muagututia was 18, Seibold put him down as one to watch.

"Zaidas is somebody who we have been tracking for a little while," he said on Manly's website.

"We feel Zaidas can progress in the coming years. He is a very talented dummy half."

Ashton Large – the younger brother of another rookie Onitoni - is another option in the ranks.

But consider this. The Sea Eagles made a play for Tallyn Da Silva last year.

This would suggest Manly isn't completely convinced by the long-term options right now.

So with Croker's money in the salary cap, how Manly use those dollars will be an interesting watch.