The blockbuster trade between the Manly Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs has officially gone through, marking a seismic shift for both clubs ahead of the 2025 NRL season.
Souths have secured two former Manly forwards: **Sean Keppie** and **Sean “Prop” …sorry** correction—more precisely, the Rabbitohs have landed Sean Keppie on a multi‑year deal after he was granted an early release from Manly. Keppie, a powerful front‑rower, debuted in 2019 and brings controlled aggression and strong defensive presence to South Sydney’s forward pack ([sportingnews.com][1]).
In addition, Souths reignited interest in former Manly prodigy **Josh Schuster**, who had been released by the Sea Eagles in April and signed a one‑year contract with the Rabbitohs to play under Wayne Bennett in 2025 ([news.com.au][2]).
From Manly’s perspective, losing Keppie weakens their middle‑forward depth, and the departure of Schuster—once a highly touted playmaker—adds to a growing list of exits, including Daly Cherry‑Evans announcing his post‑2025 departure . The Sea Eagles will need to rebuild their roster strength ahead of next year.
This trade signals South Sydney’s aggressive recruitment drive under Bennett, aiming to bolster both experience and potential in their forward rotation and spine. Manly, on the other hand, faces the immediate challenge of plugging key gaps in their squad.
