TRADE TALK: The Deal between Manly Sea Eagles and North Queensland Cowboys Is Done..

Jaxson Paulo’s move to North Queensland marks an intriguing chapter in his career as he seeks stability after a series of club changes. At just 25, he brings valuable experience from stints with South Sydney, the Roosters, and Manly, where he struggled to find consistent first-grade form. With the Cowboys losing key players like Kyle Feldt and Valentine Holmes, Paulo could fill a crucial gap in their backline.

The departure of Chad Townsend adds another layer of transition for the Cowboys, but the anticipated partnership between Jake Clifford and Tom Dearden could offer a fresh dynamic in the halves. Coach Todd Payten is looking to rebuild after a challenging season, and the return of Zac Laybutt from injury, alongside the development of young talents like Tom Chester, may signal an exciting new direction for the team.

On the other side, D’Jazirhae Pua’Avase heading to Manly represents a significant addition to their forward pack, suggesting they are keen to bolster their squad with promising talent. Overall, these moves reflect both teams’ ambitions to reshape and improve ahead of the new season.

Todd Payten’s confidence in Tom Chester as a potential elite centre reflects his commitment to developing talent, and Chester’s versatility could still play a key role for the Cowboys once he returns from injury. Jaxson Paulo’s arrival will certainly bolster North Queensland’s depth, particularly after a disappointing finals exit. His experience can provide valuable support as the team looks to build on their 2024 campaign.

For Manly, offloading Paulo makes sense given the competition in their backline. With players like Lehi Hopoate and Clayton Faulalo emerging, Paulo found himself on the fringes. This trade allows him a fresh start while giving the Sea Eagles a promising young forward in D’Jazirhae Pua’Avase. Despite being yet to make his first-grade debut, Pua’Avase’s performances in the QLD Cup demonstrate his potential, and he could thrive under Anthony Seibold’s guidance.

As Manly looks to address their forward depth with the departures of Karl Lawton and Aaron Woods, Pua’Avase could fill an important role. The links to Jazz Tevaga and Michael Chee-Kam indicate their intent to strengthen further. This trade could set the stage for both clubs to reshape their squads effectively ahead of the new season, with each looking to capitalize on their respective strengths and address gaps in their line-ups.