Absolutely. Also bring Turbo and Koula running off these two. Potentially a true threat if both Schuster and Brooks find their best game.

Agreed with much you’re saying 40/20. Key is injuries. If Manly can keep their best side on the field for most of the year, they could potentially make about 4th or 5th, maybe even better. Conjecture of course, but the balance looks good with a strong spine, very fast backs, a couple of true stars on the rise in Olakau’atu and Koula, a couple of youngsters at the next level in Ben Trbojevic and Chan and a solid forward lie up with variable skills. The keys are keeping Turbo fit, ensuring DCE, like Jake, continues his amazing ability to remain uninjured, and the other big factor, whether Brooks and Schuster display their true abilities on the field. Multiple injuries may not affect as much given some decent back ups, but Manly will only truly contest if they can keep their best on the field.

Could be by more if Schuster finally plays.

Barring injuries, Manly will be in the 8. How high up depends much on whether the can keep their top players on the field. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see young Weekes somewhere in the 17

Can’t see Koula being pushed out to the wing. He was by far Manly’s most effective centre last year.

I think assessing Tom Trobjevic based on the past three years is very prone to misrepresentation. If you’re going to look at his performances then look at 2021 and understand why based on 18 rounds of football he took out the Dally M in a canter. I suspect there is an over rating of the effect of rule changes in 2022 causing a diminished performance. Fact is he was injured early on and only played 7 games. He was noticeably tentative, not through the rule change but I suspect through lack of confidence with his hamstrings. And then he was out for the season. Same happened in 2020 when he played also 7 games. Its not surprising that Manly floundered in those seasons but excelled in 2021. Such is the impact of this quite remarkable athlete. Using stats for 2020 and 2022 warps his overall impact, because he was hampered by injury during those years. In my opinion only Tedesco is in his class in the present set of full backs, when he is fully fit.

As for Schuster, if he reaches his potential, he will surpass Foran’s efforts and that is not to understate Foran’s performances. Its just that he has a skill base few have. If he takes command, as he did in the juniors, look out for their speedy back line to thrive, as long as the forwards do their job. I think Manly also have a pretty decent back up for Turbo in young Weekes if Tom yet again succumbs to injury.

I doubt that Parker will be in the centres and there’s talk he may end up in the forwards. At this stage its likely to be a Garrick-Koula centre pair and possibly Weekes on the wing. I’d also suggest Condon for Johns on the bench

I’d be careful not to dismiss The Shoe, the Sea Eagles new 5/8. This kid was the star in junior comps. Has been wasted at second row. Will be very interesting to see how he afres in his natural spot

Much, as with most clubs, will depend upon injuries and keeping the better players on the field. Manly were hampered by long injuries to Turbo and Schuster and neither were anywhere near their best when they were on the field. Manly are a little light on in reserves, but they do have some outstanding talent coming through. Koula and Olakau’atu will be a next level up. Weekes, the Fainu brothers, young Fulton may be on the rise. It was obvious that the Sea Eagles were off their game last year. Individually they have some fine footballers, but they lacked cohesion. They just didnt gel structurally. I think Schuster at 5/8 will make a difference. He’s the first truly gifted ball player they’ve had since Lyon and Lyons and reports suggest he’s much leaner and hungrier. The forward pack has been under rated and under performed. Hopefully a new coach will correct this. They wont win the comp but given a fair shake with injuries they should make the 8, perhaps even higher. No way near the bottom unless hit by injuries again

Curious how Schuster is judged by many who have only see him less than a hand full of games in the position that made him a stand out star in the juniors. Easy to forget his first first grade match when he was unfortunately injured late in the game (Manly were leading when he was on the field but lost that game when he left) and Benji Marshall, who should know a little about 5/8, said his performance was the best first game he had seen from a young footballer.

Lets be clear about a few facts. Schuster was pushed into the second row, a role he hadnt played regularly for several years in the juinors, and required to be an 80 minute forward (only Jake and Croker equalled that) did almost twice as many tackles as the five eighth, ending up being third in the most tackles done in the team and then had to fit outside Foran to help set up attacking raids, which he did very well in 2021, leading to Turbo running riot and the back line having a field day. Come 2022, he’s injured for almost half the season and then returns obviously overweight and not match fi. Consequently Hasler put him on the bench and his number of full games was barey a hand full. One of the reasons Manly faltered other than the absence of Turbo, was the lack of effective ball to the back line, which should have done better with Koula, Garrick, Harper etc (they thrived the year before and that was without Koula).

The trouble is Schuster is being judged on 2022 and playing second row in 2021. He was a noted star five eighth in the juniors, winning best player in the SG Ball competition in 2019 which Manly only just lost in the Grand final. Several other players including Weekes, Zac Fulton and Ben Trbojevic were in that side. Much of the reason for Manly’s success was Schuster. He’s a natural five eighth

The Sea Eagles should be ensured they secure young Weekes beyond 2023 as a back up for Turbo. Again their lack of urgency could easily see the kid contracted elsewhere. Turbo is a great player, but unless this regular injury problem is resolved, they are going to want a talented alternative.

I agree EagleJack. It seems the seven are being blamed for Des being sacked. I suspect the reality was that the Manly management, had Des in their sights some time before and the incident with the seven just gave them extra ammunition to do what they already were intending to do. I suspect they wanted Des to spit the dummy over the demands, to fall on his sword. He played it clever by accepting their demands. The fact that they then sacked him, shows that is what was intended all along, but they hoped they wouldn’t be blamed. It was never about the Seven. It was always about behind the scenes conflict especially with the owner.

I’ll be very interested in seeing Schuster at 5/8 in his preferred position. He was the top star of the junior comps in that position and the two times he’ had an opportunity in that position in Man,y’s first grade side, he’s thrived. He could very well be the difference and offer young Koula room to move.

Personally I think Schuster has a good point. This kid was the outstanding star at 5/8 in his junior years and apparently was given some assurance that he would be playing in that role. Hasler wanted a stop gap in the meantime and threw Foran a life line. Foran has performed well in his role and certainly he has shown far more than he had over previous years. He’s performed well. But he’s also past his prime.

Schuster could easily play 5/8 in just about any other side in the comp bar maybe the Storm. He’s that good. He is a top ball player and was chased by many other sides but stuck with Manly with I assume some assurance that he would play 5/8. Approaching two years on and already Foran is wanting to play in 2023. I think Foran is a very fine 5/8, solid, a reasonable ball player, fairly good defensively. He does his job well, but in mind mind Schuster is another level up. Meanwhile Schuster is being burnt out as an 80 minutes forward with all the defensive requirements and yet still expected to show his magic. Not surprisingly its been muted.

Manly have been struggling without Turbo’s magic. But if you looked carefully last year you would have seen that it was often Schuster who created the space through his clever at times unpredictable actions, putting other sides in an uncertain mind. He is easily Manly’s best ball player. Manly need to be very careful with this one. If Foran stays on in 2023, I can see Schuster looking elsewhere and for Manly that would be diabolical.

Regrettably despite Hasler being a fine coach, he has always been seen as too conservative and rarely makes changes unless forced on him. That’s his blind spot. We saw this with having Harper in instead of Koula, who is another of these outstanding juniors coming through. Result was on that edge Manly got thumped until Des was forced to replace Harper, who was known to have defense issues. In comes Koula and though the game was gone by then, suddenly Manly held the line and fought back. Hasler needs to stop being so conservative and take the chance. And one of those is Schuster to 5/8

There are a couple of factors causing Manly’s struggle and unless they are addressed I cant see them threatening the premiership. Firstly their forwards are not, as Turbo suggested, dominating the centre. They cant win if the forwards dont get on top enough to give the backs room. Secondly their hooker despite being highly competitive and a defensive asset, doesn’t have the skills needed to get the team moving. Thirdly their centres aren’t a threat in attack. Parker is an excellent defender, but has little to offer in attack. Harper seems to have lost his mojo since the middle of last year. Lastly, the absence of Schuster has reduced options in attack and his defense close in was admirable last year. Manly desperately need him back. I think Des should be promoting Koula to one of the centre positions asap.

No question that predictions at the beginning of a season are fraught with danger. So much can happen to dismantle a side from reaching their potential. I also note Turbo has been essential to the Sea Eagles success and losing him is always going to impact heavily

However I’m looking at potential and what I see is a group of young players similar to 2006-8, with loads of ability and a coach who seems to get the best out of his players. The rise of players like Paseka, Olaka’uatu, Keppie, Garrick and Saab, all young players suggests they’ll be more consistent in 2022. The rise of Schuster could be a major factor and maybe young Koula, possibly the fastest player in the game getting his chance suggests the Sea Eagles reliance on Turbo could be reduced. Bullemor will strengthen the forwards and there are a few youngsters who may get their chance come Origin. One question mark is hooker. Croker is a hard worker, excellent defender, but Manly may need a smarter rake to reach the next level. Potentially they will be in the top four. Injuries etc may cause them to drop down but I cant see them missing the finals.

Already happens. Kids go where the money is. How else does Melbourne get their talent. They will go where they can get a chance to shine. So many of the Sydney City, Manly juniors came to those clubs from elsewhere because of opportunity not available where they were, or better money and opportunity. Not that many seem that concerned about where they play as long as they get their chance.

Lets be honest Nathan. There are have and have not clubs. There are those with a disproportionate access to juniors, there are those with a disproportionate amount of money and sponsorship backing. There are the clever operators who know how to side step the rules and yes there are some managements that aren’t up to learning and playing the game. The fact that there have been so many clubs caught rorting the system (and no doubt they are just the tip of the ice berg), shows that there are too many ways of flouting the rules. Is it right that some clubs have unlimited junior talent., while others have to import? Is it right that some can get big money sponsorship to boost their TPAs (The Storm were recorded having near a million extra dollars a season, compared to some with barely a hundred thousand and that’s the legal TPAs). The game is for the spectator not the club. No spectator no support from media, sponsorship etc. So you have to ensure that all clubs are on an equal footing. You cant do that with the present system. A draft or points system for players is far more likely to be equitable and not have the same clubs contesting the crown each year. This is about aiming for the greatest crowd support and for that happen, each club must have a fair chance of winning.

What the NRL is looking for and should focus on is to expand out of its parochial little enclave and look to developing in large population centres such as Brisbane, Perth, a second NZ side etc. The last thing they are going to do is look to increasing the number of Sydney based sides. They have been for years trying to reduce that parochialism.

What happened in 1908 is now irrelevant to the game’s future. Back in those early days there was also Glebe, Annandale, University as well as Newtown and Norths. More recently there has be Perth, Adelaide, the second Newcastle side and the Brisbane Crushers. Should we return all these teams to the fold for traditions sake. Absolutely not.

The issue about the Swans was an accommodation made by the Aussie Rules to avoid making too many new teams. Fitzroy for example was sacrificed for the introduction of a Brisbane side, the South Melbourne side was sacrificed for the Sydney side. Neither of those Victorian sides now play in the top comp AFL and I doubt most of their supporters are Sydney and Brisbane supporters. Retaining their logos was just window dressing . Fitzroy are even no longer the Lions. They are now the Reds. So the issue about 200,000 Bears supporters is spurious and I would suggest quite inaccurate given Norths could rarely get a crowd over 15,000 at their home ground. The issue about the Central Coast may have some traction, but its I suspect down the list for potential inclusion in the NRL. The game must expand not contract

Actually regarding your last entry concerning Nathan Cleary, he played 20 games this. season, the winner Trbojevic played 18 games, so it wasnt injuries that defeated him

Manly relocate? Not a chance in the World mate. They and the Government are paying a fortune for the upgrade at Brookvale Oval. They aren’t going to spend all those tens of millions to create a White Elephant, They may have to share locations but my guess is they will probably The spread of talent no longer relates to where you were born and raised. And the support base, though still regional, is becoming less and less so and support is more television based and therefore not tied to a specific area with access to the ground. I understand a heap of money is also being spent on Cronulla’s home ground. A decade ago it was a possibility. Now? Not a chance. My suspicions are that there will eventually be a two tier comp, either of equal standing, or a promotion and relegation like structure, and that will facilitate expansion.

For almost 60 years I’ve read articles about the invincibility of sides, and more often than not the favourites win, but not always no matter how good the favourite is. Its far from an end game and the Storm does not yet have the premiership. I recall these ‘certain’ results as far back as the Souths-Balmain grand final in 1969, when the Invincible Rabbitoes were almost being given the crown before the match and bingo, they lost and actually didn’t look like winning. The Storm will probably face a motivated Penrith in the major semi if the Panthers beat the Eels, (and that’s not assured) and there is a chance the Storm may not even make the GF. So many factors and on the day winners can often be losers. The Storm are definite favourites. Are they certainties? No way.

Good points but I think it is another example of the Leagues failure to recognise that the game MUST expand if it is to in anyway challenge Australian Rules. I’ve said this over and again. The game needs a team in Perth ASAP. There are two league competitions in the state and they have the corporate backing and apparently the field. The crowds and money will follow if its promoted effectively. This procrastination is in my opinion a serious mistake, yet another since the SuperLeague fiasco. The game needs new markets. I recall my brother playing Australian Rules in the previous Sydney competition before the Swans arrival. Rarely got more than 50 to a game. And yet barely a few years later, good management, publicity, funding and bingo the game thrived here in Sydney. Surely common sense can see they must get the game expanded lest it continue to develop into a parochial second tier competition.

I’m all for a second Brisbane side but I consider it short sighted not to also include Perth. The game needs to expand outwards, not just within and Perth is the ideal next step..

One of the great fallacies of the game is the belief the gene pool is not large enough to accommodate expansion. That’s just an excuse not to act, sometimes because of not wanting to share the money or talent. Expand the competitions and it opens the door for young players who drop out because of a belief there is not sufficient opportunity to get to the top. Expand and you increase your support base wanting to see their local team. This increases sponsorship for those wanting to promote their product locally, which increases the number of young people wanting to play the game if there is fame and money to be gained. Feed back loop. Starts slow but it builds. That’s why Australian Rules succeeds and Rugby League is in stasis following that Super League fiasco. I know it works because I remember my brother playing in the local Sydney Australian Rules comp. Fewer than a hundred people, often less, would attend in support and mainly family. Sydney Swans appears and look at the result. Its all about opportunity and good promotion