Manly will be looking for another strong season this year, setting up a big year at Fortress Brookevale. Here’s a look at what we expect.
Team: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Homeground: Brookvale Oval (23,000)
Coach: Des Hasler
Season 2010: 9th (P24, W12, L12, 28 pts)
2011 squad: Matt Ballin, Jamie Buhrer, Daly Cherry-Evans, Matt Cross, Kieran Foran, Liam Foran, Joe Galuvao, Daniel Harrison, William Hopoate, Jason King, Brent Kite, Darcy Lussick, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Vic Mauro, Junior Palau, Michael Robertson, Tim Robinson, Shane Rodney, George Rose, Terence Seu Seu, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Dean Whare, David Williams, Tony Williams.
Ins: Daniel Harrison, Liam Foran, Tim Robinson
Outs: Chris Bailey, Josh Perry, Trent Hodkinson, Ben Farrar, Lama Tasi
Season preview: Of all the numbers in the Sea Eagles records – two pairs of brothers in their NRL squad, eight current and former State of Origin reps, that 40-0 win over the Melbourne Storm – the most important numbers for the Sea Eagles this year will be the numbers one and seven on the back of the team jerseys.
Fullback Brett Stewart is making his long-awaited return in the number one jersey after bowing out with injury in round one of season 2010 and spending the year on the sideline dealing with off-field dramas instead.
And with halfback Trent Hodkinson signed to the Bulldogs, the hunt is on for a new number seven to partner Kieran Foran. The two struck up an immediate bond last season, and there are no guarantees that the promising Daly Cherry-Evans or big brother Liam Foran can manage the same.
Manly fans will hope that lightning strikes for one of the potential pairings because there is no doubt that, in a pinch, co-captain Jamie Lyon could step into the role, and also no doubt that he is most dangerous playing in the three quarters instead.
Between Brett Stewarts natural skills, Jamie Lyon’s strength in attack and even second-rower Glenn Stewart’s unpredictability with the ball there’s no doubt Manly have points in their squad.
Their Achilles heel will be injury, where they are perhaps even more vulnerable than in 2010. Without forward Josh Perry and utilities Chris Bailey and Ben Farrar there is a fine line between a full-strength Manly and a team that will struggle against their first-grade opponents. If the Sea Eagles are lucky with injury, they’re contenders for the fringes of the top eight.
X-Factor: Before his shoulder injury in 2008 and the injuries that followed after, Brett Stewart was the best attacking fullback in the game. Blessed with natural speed and an attacking style that matches his nickname, ‘Snake’, defenders need to watch their line, and Jarryd Hayne will need to watch his State of Origin jersey.
Main man: The boy from Wee Waa, Jamie Lyon, is the key for Manly: both as the side’s experienced playmaker and a tenacious defender. Co-captaining the side with Jason King, the Sea Eagles need him on the field, in any jersey.
Predicted 2011 finish: 8th
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