Suli to trade Fairfield for Eagles nest if he can seal new deal

Moses Suli will invest far more than just his football ability if he extends his time with the Sea Eagles this year.

The 22-year-old centre is off contract in 2020 and after being originally lured there by Trent Barrett, he has thrived under new coach Des Hasler.

It's been worth the more than 100km round trip he makes every day from his home in Fairfield in Sydney's south-west.

So if he can strike a new deal with the club, Suli will move to Sydney's northern peninsula.

"I'd love to stay. And if they give me the opportunity I'm willing to move out here too," Suli said.

"My manager has got it all under control so I don't know too much. I haven't really thought about it or spoken about it.

"I just want to play footy and hopefully get the best outcome for whatever comes up.

"It feels like home now. It's my third year here and I've loved every second of it. "

Suli is certain to attract attention with the Dragons a possible suitor since they have two centres in Tim Lafai and Euan Aitken off contract as well this year.

After a stop-start career with the Wests Tigers first and then a brief off-season stint with the Bulldogs, Barrett was able to draw something out of Suli in 2018.

Last year under Hasler he played 22 games and scored six tries. He had nearly double that in try assists for his rookie wingman Reuben Garrick, who racked up 16.

"They've given me the opportunity that I really needed, when I was down," Suli said of Manly.

"I appreciate everything that they've done for me. And I'm trying to repay them by playing the best footy that I can."

He is creating a dynamite right edge for the Sea Eagles: halfback Daly Cherry-Evans feeding the ball to Curtis Sironen, Suli and then onto Garrick.

"Hopefully we continue our combination to grow this year and hopefully that helps him stay," Cherry-Evans said.

"I'd love for him to stay. He played right centre outside of me for most of last year and I enjoy playing alongside him.

"It looks like he's turned things around. He's certainly training really well, which is a step in the right direction for his footy."

Suli and fellow centre Brad Parker will be mainstays once again in the Manly back five although their opponents in round one – the Storm – have two notable absences in 2020 in the centres - Will Chambers (rugby union) and Curtis Scott (Raiders).

Marion Seve and Justin Olam are the predicted replacements for the Storm's trip to Lottoland this Sunday.

"I was up against Justin Olam last year – heaps strong and a good player. I'm looking forward to the challenge again," Suli said.

It's a new ball game for Parker.

"I actually haven't gone up against the centres I'll be playing against so it's a bit different for me," Parker said.

"That could be a good thing having no expectations – just go and play my natural game."

And Parker hopes to keep improving game after a breakthrough end-of-season representative call-up. He played in the Prime Minister's XIII and Junior Kangaroos sides.

"It brought home to myself that I am a NRL player and what my standing is in this team. It's given me a lot of confidence and it's made me determined to build on that," he said.

"I just can't have one good season and this year slack off. I've got more pressure on me than ever to have a another good season and try to do well."

His wingman, Jorge Taufua, might have some expectation as well after he flattened Storm star Cameron Munster in a tackle at Lottoland in round 24 last year.

"He [Munster] is probably still having nightmares – hopefully Jorgie gets into him again," Parker said.