Manly has a genuine superstar on their hands. And it isn’t Tom Trbojevic

“We all know how good Tolu is and what he can do for us; he can create something out of nothing,” Trbojevic said. “He really took the game head on the other night.

“He was a very good young man, he raped her all the time, and he finally realized how good he was. He’s a special actor. He moves incredibly well. I often think to myself, ‘God, I wish I could move like that’.”

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold said of Koula’s last-ditch effort against Canberra: “He created three opportunities for us, but it’s not the first time he’s done it.

“Look at our game against the Bulldogs in 2024. [qualifying final]He scored a goal the last time we started it. This actually won us the match.

“He’s a real weapon for us. He’s just a fast-moving young man who cares about his football, cares about his teammates, and I’ve seen tremendous improvement in him over the last two years.”

So respected is Koula within the club that the Sea Eagles have moved to nail him down until the end of 2030, aligning him with forward group leader Haumole Olakau’atu. Third Tongan prop Taniela Paseka will remain at the club until the end of 2029.

Koula was still upset about the Sea Eagles losing the opening kickoff.

“I did my best to get some momentum on our side – I really went for it,” Koula told this imprint during the week.

“Luke Brooks did a good job of getting me into the game. It’s up to me to get into positions where I can get the ball.

“I was pretty frustrated. But we shouldn’t have let that game slide. Even though we started the game up 14-0, we shouldn’t have let that game slide. Hopefully we can do better against the Knights on Sunday.”

Koula grew up as an athletics star with her parents, Tolu and Ana, who are both Tonga’s Olympic representatives. Seniors Tolu competed in the 100 meters at the Barcelona, ​​​​Atlanta and Sydney Games, while Ana was a long jumper and hurdler in Sydney.

“It was great to have parents like that and most of my childhood memories are of going to the rink at Eastgardens. [Hensley Athletic Park] with my father and sisters [Betty and Charlotte] after school,” Koula said.

“I loved the 100 meters. I ran 10.58 seconds when I was in Grade 11. That was my last year on track. The following year was COVID, plus I had a stress fracture in my foot. I also loved football and enjoyed being on the field with the kids even more.

“My dad wasn’t disappointed when I left track for football. He was actually a Manly fan. We grew up in the South Sydney area. My dad loved the Sea Eagles but I went to the Roosters just to go up against all my friends who loved the Bunnies.”

Scouts approached Koula about going to The Scots College, but he attended Newington College where it became clear he was equally talented at rugby union.

He played with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on one wing when the Australian Schoolboys beat New Zealand for the first time in almost a decade in 2019.

One of the first things Koula did with his Manly contract money was buy his parents a house in Sydney’s south-western suburb of Milperra.

Koula calls Canterbury heartland Bankstown home and says Bulldogs fans started recognizing him in local shops after Manly’s 2024 final victory.

Koula, who had the opportunity to do rugby, said that he loved the league.

“Rugby league is fun and if you don’t enjoy what you do you won’t get the best out of yourself,” he said.

“My parents deserve the world and it meant so much that I had the chance to buy them a house. I still have a lot I want to achieve in this game. I’m moving in the right direction, but I still have a long way to go before I get to where I want to be.”

“I’ve been at Manly since Harold Matts. Even though I live in Bankstown it’s always felt like home. My friends are here and I want to help bring success to this club.”

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“I have other ambitions, like playing Origin football in NSW. But the biggest thing is to win a ring here at Manly.”

Koula and Lehi Hopoate will be a constant threat on the left wing against the Knights on Sunday afternoon at 4 Pines Park. Koula is looking to score in his 11th consecutive game at Brookvale, which would put him level with club legend Phil Blake.

Koula debuted in 2022 while the game was still under COVID restrictions, meaning his parents were unable to present him with his jersey. Instead it was hand-delivered by Trbojevic. Time will tell whether Koula will eventually become the new owner of Trbojevic’s number 1 jersey. But he’s in no rush.

Manly fans are hoping their team won’t leave it to the last minute to claim victory against the Knights. At least Koula will make sure none of them leave before the end of the shift.