If it wasn't for a childhood friendship with Manase Fainu, Moses Suli would never have made it to Manly.

His highly promising career would have been cut short before it had ever really picked up steam after playing just 15 games on a million-dollar deal with the Tigers and failing to take the field for the Bulldogs.

Third time lucky: Moses Suli is making his mark at Manly after being shown the door at the Tigers and Bulldogs. Credit:AAP

As Suli's stocks plummeted due to concerns about his commitment off the field, he had an ally on the northern beaches.

His high school teammate and childhood friend Fainu had convinced then-Manly coach Trent Barrett to hand the teen prodigy a trial at Manly.