The Manly Sea Eagles have continued to bolster their junior ranks, landing one of the game’s most promising young halves with the signing of Lachlan Metcalfe from cross-town rivals, the Sydney Roosters.
The move marks a major win for Manly, which has lost several rising stars in recent months — including Campbell Munn and Callum Dowell — but has now hit back by securing one of the NRL’s most highly rated under-18 playmakers.
Although the Sea Eagles already boast two of the game’s most promising young halves in Joey Walsh and Onitoni Large, Zero Tackle reports that the club has added Lachlan Metcalfe to further strengthen its playmaking depth and invest in the future.
The move to the peninsula will reunite the former Roosters halfback with his older brother, Blake Metcalfe, who made five NSW Cup appearances for the Sea Eagles this season, including three starts at fullback.
MORE: Former Sea Eagles forward finally lands Super League move after failed negotiations
Eligible for the Under-19s SG Ball Cup over the next two seasons, the 17-year-old is already regarded as one of the junior system’s most composed and skillful halves, having guided the Roosters deep into the Under-17s Harold Matthews Cup finals.
A product of Hills Sports High School, Metcalfe also spent time with the Parramatta Eels before joining the Roosters’ system two seasons ago.
"He's sort of born into rugby league, and he's just a tremendous human," a rugby league official told Zero Tackle.
"He's just calm, collected, got a great forward-kicking game, great running game and he's tipped to be a player for the future.
"You can expect to see some big things from him. He's got a great boot, kicks a couple 40/20 most games and he's got a real nice running game and passing game.
"It could be the first minute of the game or the 17th minute of the game and he's never out of breath. He's never frazzled, he doesn't panic. He's just such a calm and collected player.
"As long as he keeps working hard, which I know he does, he should set himself up for hopefully a nice little leg up to having a good career as an elite athlete."