Move ‘win for Levi, Sea Eagles’
HE IS the $225,000 bargain buy Danny Buderus reckons can help Des Hasler turn Manly into a genuine premiership force.
Danny Levi’s career was basically heading towards the scrapheap playing with NRL battlers Newcastle.
But Buderus has backed the former Kiwi Test hooker to turn his career around with a sprinkling of Hasler magic dust.
As the NRL’s off-season player market circus continues, Levi’s switch is expected to be finalised this week.
What’s even better for the Sea Eagles is the deal will be done for an absolute bargain.
The Knights must cough up about $150,000 to make the trade happen, with Manly only chipping in about $225,000 to get Levi for the season.
For a crucial position such as hooker, that would present Hasler with a shrewd purchase and a like-for-like replacement for the gifted Manase Fainu, who will face trial this year after allegedly stabbing a man at a Sydney church dance.
With Hasler struggling to fill the void that will be left by Fainu, picking up a hooker of Levi’s talent at this stage of the pre-season is a massive boost.
Fainu has been stood down by the NRL pending his court case, while he also suffered from an infection in his injured shoulder that will require more surgery that will wipe him out for most of the season, even if he has his ban lifted.
Buderus, who has spent a lot of time working with Levi, has no doubt this change will come at the perfect time for all.
“Danny has definitely got the talent and the change will be good for him,” Buderus said.
“I think Danny will be up for this.”