Manly's reigning player of the year Lachlan Croker has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the Sea Eagles until at least the end of 2024.
Despite Manly's dismal end to the year ensuing in an 11th-placed finish, the 25-year-old hooker had a career-best season, laying 943 tackles across 23 games and chipping in effectively with the boot.
Croker had been free to negotiate with rival clubs for 2024 from November 1 but is now set to easily surpass 100 games for the Sea Eagles, whom he joined in 2018 after limited opportunities across two years with Canberra.
"Lachlan is a very popular clubman who just loves pulling on the Manly jersey,'' said Sea Eagles chief executive Tony Mestrov.
"He has established himself as our starting hooker. Lachlan gives his all each and every week.
"We are very happy to extend Lachlan out for a further season."
Croker has become the first player to re-sign with Manly since the club officially swore Anthony Seibold in as head coach on Tuesday.
He joins Morgan Boyle, Zac Fulton, Haumole Olakau'atu and Sean Keppie in re-signing with the Sea Eagles following the dismissal of Seibold's successor Des Hasler.
