Thompson to remain with Sea Eagles in 2020

Manly back-rower Joel Thompson's impressive resurgence under Des Hasler is set to be rewarded with a one-year deal for 2020.

NRL.com understands that the final details of an extension for Thompson are currently being finalised, keeping the veteran forward on the Northern Beaches after he went on the record with his willingness to take a pay cut to stay at the club.

Manly have not made any official announcement on Thompson's future.

Only a few months ago, Thompson had been ready to make the move to English Super League.

But he has since proven himself a key pillar in Manly's revival under Hasler, with the Sea Eagles now sitting in the top four just three weeks out from the finals.

Thompson has also been one of the game’s biggest contributors off the field, his Ken Stephen Medal nomination deserved recognition for his community work.

Speaking to reporters a few weeks ago, Thompson said his work with the NRL State of Mind programs, and his own self-founded Mindset Project, had prompted him to reconsider a move to the UK.

"At the start of the year I thought heading overseas would be the best for us [family], but the stuff I've been doing off-field it's hard to leave behind," Thompson said.

"I've been doing that for the last eight years and being at a club that's winning ... I've been in clubs where coaches have been sacked or we've been at the bottom, so I've never really felt like this as a footballer – just that winning environment.

"I'd love to stay here, and I'm happy to sacrifice money because money is not everything to me."