MLR Off-Season Update – Seattle Seawolves

After an improbable return to the Championship Final this past season, the Seawolves will look to take it one step further in 2023. The core of last year’s squad was already contracted for this coming year and beyond, and there are some notable arrivals in the off-season.

Allen Clarke used the Dispersal Draft wisely, reinforcing the front row with domestic props Jake Turnbull and Mason Pedersen. Eagles contender Conner Mooneyham was also indirectly grabbed from Austin via ATL to replace the retired Ross Neal on the wing.

Club stalwarts Kellen Gordon and Mat Turner have also hung up the boots, while Mike Brown has moved to Houston to coach their academy program. Andrew Durutalo has departed, with a suggestion he might not be quite done finished playing yet despite his cryptic social media message and Clarke seemingly confirming his retirement.

Brad Tucker has shipped off to New York, while Tim Metcher and Kieran Joyce have left the team. Back-and-forth Victor Comptat is in France, Travis Larsen was traded to Toronto, and Taniela Tupou is heading back to football after being picked in the XFL draft.

Four players were selected in Collegiate Draft, including US-eligible UCLA flyhalf Shane Barry. Peter Malcolm and Ben Mitchell arrive from San Diego on multi-year contracts, while Ronan Foley is a late addition to the squad from the Arrows.

There are still a couple gaps in the forwards to be filled. Samu Manoa’s status is unconfirmed but he is currently listed on the club’s roster for 2023. Also present is Tommy Clark, whose rights were selected by Chicago in the Dispersal Draft but now looks set to stay in Seattle. Meanwhile Taylor Krumrei has returned from a one-year stint in New Orleans.

The Seawolves are the first team to confirm preseason games for the new season. With both coming just three days apart, it would not be surprising to see another tune-up added early in the New Year. The club will stay at Starfire Stadium for the immediate future but owner Adrian Balfour recently stated on the Rugby Wrap Up that they are eyeing a long-term move to a redeveloped Memorial Stadium.

Under Contract: Mzamo Majola (LH, 2024), James Malcolm (HO, 2024), Sam Matenga (TH, 2024), Rhyno Herbst (LO, 2024), Ben Landry (LO/FL, 2023), Tommy Clark (FL, 2024), Nakai Penny (FL, 2024), Riekert Hattingh (N8, 2023), JP Smith (SH, 2024), AJ Alatimu (FH, 2024), Dan Kriel (CE, 2024), Tavite Lopeti (CE, 2024), Lauina Futi (WI, 2024), Martin Iosefo (WI, 2023), Duncan Matthews (FB, 2024)

Re-signed: Dewald Donald (LH), Alex Glover (HO), Reid Watkins (SH), Lopeti Aisea (CE), David Busby (CE/WI), Jeremiah Sio (WI), Cole Zarcone (WI)

Collegiate Draft: James Kuahiwinui (TH, Iowa Central), Neal Moylett (FL/N8, Lindenwood), Shane Barry (FH, UCLA), Sam Wegert (CE, Trinity Western)

Dispersal Draft: Jake Turnbull (LH, Austin Gilgronis), Mason Pedersen (TH, Austin Gilgronis), Conner Mooneyham (WI, Austin Gilgronis)

New Signings: Peter Malcolm (HO, San Diego Legion, 2025), Ben Mitchell (LO, San Diego Legion, 2025), Ronan Foley (FL/N8, Toronto Arrows), Karl Keane (SH, Saint Mary’s)

Departures: Kellen Gordon (LH, retired), Augusto Böhme (HO), Mike Brown (HO, retired), Sean McNulty (HO, San Diego Legion), Tim Metcher (TH), Taniela Tupou (TH, St. Louis Battlehawks, XFL), Victor Comptat (LO, La Seyne, FR), Setefano Funaki (LO/FL), Brad Tucker (LO/FL, New York Ironworkers), Andrew Durutalo (FL), Travis Larsen (FL/N8, Toronto Arrows), Tai Enosa (FH/FB), Kieran Joyce (FH/CE), Ross Neal (CE/WI, retired), Darell Williams (WI), Mat Turner (FB, retired)