With their season done and Mad Monday passed out in the corner without drama, it’s time to go against all of my instincts and try to help Manly to help themselves.
Yeah, I know, regular Sea Eagles people will bristle at advice being given from an outsider who couldn’t care less, and so they should. It’s like a Queenslander who provides unwanted opinion on contentious selection decisions for the Blues. I await the customary sock.
First things first, let’s address the elephant in the room.
Even though they finished second after 26 rounds, their season was a complete failure. This is an uncomfy jab to their royal solar plexes, but we all know it’s the truth and so do they. After years of onerous success, their standards are high, and this particular tilt for glory did not meet the pass mark.
Being bloody Manly, I would usually back them to brush off such a year and rebound in classy style by streaking the field in 2015 with their galaxy of beachside talent, but I reckon this prolonged period of Summer Bay-esque panto has caused irreparable fissures. It’s an internal shebang that can hold a candle to the Wests Tigers’ year of sensational scuttlebutt, and that’s saying something, because they were a dog’s breakfast that a homeless kelpie would send back to the kitchen.
Despite this, the predicament of the Eagles is not a complete catastrophe, and regretfully, I reckon they can sort it out over the summer and avoid the total bottom-out that many are praying for. They just need to kneecap sentiment by sending a few old troopers off in to the sunset, and then commence some category-five cuddling of Daly Cherry-Evans.
These troopers I’m referring to are fellas with a lot of local cred and long service leave, who at the same time are heinously expensive and increasingly disruptive. I don’t want to specifically name anyone except for Anthony Watmough, Steve Matai and the brothers Stewart.
Disclaimer: these are marvellous Manly men of the highest rank who possess premierships and battle scars that will be forever celebrated. Unfortunately though, they hate their paymasters.
When you also factor in that they’ve got beef with a very valuable and much younger teammate, they’re costly and they’re long in the tooth, it just makes sense to give them a plaque and a free skinful on presentation night, and then say goodbye to internal turmoil and hello again to salary cap space and Cherry-Evans’ mojo.
That’s right, the Sea Eagles’ future as a premiership force hinges on the sulfur-crested playmaker and keeping him on the payroll. A good start with this is to throw money at him and make him feel like it’s safe again to come to work. No Stewarts and Watmough will help this.
Once the halfback is smiling again, then it’s time to get to work on convincing Kieran Foran to hang around too. Burn his recently-flirty phone, give him some of the pay you’ve saved on the departed and lock him in long term.
With Cherry-Evans and Foran on the books, now you’ve got a world-class halves combo that a new team can be constructed around over the next six to eight years. The club has the sturdy structures to give the right environment for growth, so just let the emerging resources and Geoff Toovey do the rest.
There’s enough there. Peter Hiku can play fullback. Add an inch to Jorge Tafua and teach him to catch. And you’ve still got Jamie Lyon to shine a guiding light and look after the ref badgering.
Then you’ve got Matt Ballin and Jamie Buhrer to return to a young pack that will eventually develop. Justin Horo is established, Tom Symonds and Brenton Lawrence are committed toilers, Josh Starling is budding and Jesse Sene-Lefao has proven in this finals campaign that he can be the business.
Okay, so it’s not a core to immediately threaten a premiership, but there’s enough there to build around a superstar halves combination, provided they can be retained. This will take money and harmony, which will come from some tough goodbyes that should happen this summer.
Do this and Manly should avoid a disastrous grounding and remain in finals contention until the next memorable family feud comes around.
Sound alright, Eagles people? Too easy. Thank me later.
What’s the thoughts of the Roarers? Can Manly salvage anything from the emotional rubble and reload again with Stewart, Watmough et al still at the club? Maybe Cherry-Evans is the poison? Or perhaps it’s just time to flush the lot out?
Sleemo
Guest
I suppose one big question is, what could Manly's line-up look like nextyear if they all - ie B Stewart, Watmough, Matai - all go? Assuming no big signings are made and the other players who haven't yet been re-signed for 2015 (thinking Buhrer, Hasson, Symonds in particular) the team could look something like this: 1. Hiku (preferred position is fullback) 2. Blair (tall, confident under the high ball and scored a try every other game during his first-grade appearances this year) 3. Lyon 4. Taufua (keeping him on the left side but perhaps at centre he will be protected from the high ball which was his major weakness this year and in years past...being in the centres will cut down his time and space a bit but he'll still be able to make his bulldozing runs and pick up a few tries) 5. Gutherson (Wolfman is effectively done and Gutherson deserves a chance after waiting in the wings for a while) 6. Foran 7. DCE 8. Starling 9. Ballin 10. Lawrence 11. Buhrer 12. Horo 13. Symonds 14. Hasson 15. Sene-Lefao 16. Lui 17. Trebojevic / Chee Kam / Andrews / Fa'aoso / A new recruit Doesn't hold a candle to the sides of the past 7-8 years but still good enough for the top 8. Injuries / suspensions would stuff them up big time though.
planko
Guest
Hilarious not going to happen.
planko
Guest
Will that is my point I think some clubs are quite keen to offer them Marquee money before their time ? eg Tedesco and Canberra. Tedesco's problem is not talent but injuries. Interesting times.
scott
Guest
I think Manly should be merged with another Sydney club, one with a fan base who will consistently turn up to games outside of the insular peninsula. Although the Eels might be a good match I reckon the best option is to merge with the Bulldogs. They'll get their old coaxh back, have a properly functioning office, acquire an extra 40 or 50k fans, and best of all the new club can be known as the Manbury-Whankstown SeaDogs.
belroseeagle
Guest
exactly finally someone gets it loyalty is a two way street and when one party backs out because its no longer in there favour how could you trust them . I would rather manly have sucked for a few years and remained loyal to there players I don't think to many would have played on past there use buy date just from pride in themselves and the jersey and club but the way we i.e the club and some fans treated gifty is so wrong and disrespectful I don't blame any of them for feeling pissed and wronged I use to be very proud of how the players seemed to love being around each other having poker night and that and staying for less because they loved the club and saw it as family no one wanted to be first to go so none did until the club broke that chain I just hope some of the players know that not all manly fans have such short memories and are not happy at the way things are but don't let them steal your legacy as great one club loyal players either way thanks for the fantastic memories
81paling
Roar Rookie
Des may have demanded those players but, in a game that is supposed to regulate that perhaps a few questions were asked of Schubert when he allowed those contracts and the contracts for the Roosters (clubs he had close personal connections with) to be signed off. When those questions are asked the next is of course why was the Falou contract with Parra even questioned. If Hayne & Falou took the field on the same team then fans would have swarmed to watch the entertainment. 2 players do not make a team but, together the skills would have been amazing. So yes Des would have pushed hard for the players his board allowed him to buy but, he did not sign their pay checks nor approve their contracts. Also if we are being honest I do not think Des wanted to or had long term plans to leave. Therefore any conspiracy theory saying Des deliberately poisoned the clubs future for personal gain is wrong.
81paling
Roar Rookie
He might have a point in that Manly crowds, local talent & Leagues club contributions are down it might be time to hurry up with those plans to get out of Brookvale and move to the Central Coast or even revive the plans forged when Manly did not enter a side into the NSW cup but sourced their reserve grade from QLD. QLD badly need another team and they have an abundance of talent. Put simply Manly are currently at the height of their marketability and every year they still tell fibs that they have made a profit (later it is revealed they broke even or someone stepped in to make up the shortfall). Bearing these things in mind recruitment may be the last issue Manly need to worry about.
NQ Cowboy
Guest
rkog, I'll trade you Robert Lui and Ray Thompson for DCE.
The Barry
Guest
I'm sure you were saying that in round 8 when he demolished the Raiders...!
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
It's a fair question, Sprucey. If Bellamy was involved, he should have been suspended.
bearfax
Guest
Actually Manly did remarkably well to get to almost the minor premiership. Sure they have a gifted backline, but their forwards were seriously under strength for much of the year with Glenn Stewart out for almost all of it, King out for a large slice of it, Watmough carrying an injury for much of the second half of the season, and Manly relying on a bunch of virtual unknowns to ensure the backs got the ball they needed. Quite frankly I think they overachieved given their problems. As for the future, what is happening is a bit of a beat up really. Sure there are divisions. There are in every club. Its just that someone was leaking their problems big time and blowing them up. The reality is that the players supposedly causing problems are actually just indirectly expressing their concerns regarding their own future. Watmough is going probably to Parramatta because of a better deal. Matai was wanting to go to Auckland for the same reason. They know its their last contract in the big time and they need to ensure their family's future. Manly were out bid just as 40 years ago they were outbid by Easts for Bob Fulton. Its just business. The Glenn Stewart issue is just the facade hiding these other issues. Manly, like all clubs, are tied to a salary cap limit. They have to choose paying big money to their aging stars, or play sensible and hold enough cash for their young up and comers, and there are a couple there who could be stars of the future. As I suggested, this is pure business. The emotional issues are not so clear as they seem, and in reality are tied in with those business decisions. Sure Manly has to ensure they keep Foran and DCE. And doing what they are doing, loosens the purse strings to ensure when the day comes to compete for them, they have the cash available.
Trent Johnston
Guest
Agree with much except Keiran Foran is more of a key to the future than DCE. Sacking the heart of the club and most of his best mates runs they great risk of Foran throwing his hands in the air and following. Then you are left with DCE alone and a disjointed playing group around him. You would hope it hasnt got to it but if they both can't stay I think Foran would be my 1st choice over DCE. Maybe the club would be best to let Watmough go (sounds like he gone already) but also let DCE test himself on the market, shoring up Foran and Brett Stewart in the process. The risk is getting a quality replacement HB but I could think of plenty who would would be keen to work with Toovey and the Manly machine. Hasn't been a bad career move for likes of Hodkinson/Foran/DCE has it... I just have the feeling if they dont do something about DE Foran will go and they will be looking for another half anyway.
Haz
Roar Rookie
Des Hasler.
spruce moose
Guest
Ryan if you are assuming that the coach has some role (the size of the role is irrelevant in my question here) to play in contracts, can you please explain why Craig Bellamy escaped punishment for the Storm fiasco?
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
That's fair enough, but none of those blokes is on $1 million a season... Maybe next deal though!
Renegade
Guest
There's no way anyone is going pay Watmough 770k a season.... I'd be shocked if Manly is only forking out 200k mate.
Ryan O'Connell
Expert
Hot under the collar? Really?! I'm honestly not, in any way, shape or form! I couldn't care less! And I'm not defending Hasler at all. I just think it's humorous that a lot of the issues at Manly are laid at the feet of the previous coach. The word 'accountability' comes to mind.
Chui
Guest
ROC, you seem to get a little hot under the collar when it comes to anything to do with Des, assuming it's because he is now at the dogs. As pointed out, he did have control over those things, and he made those decisions. it is his fault. You then try to deflect it with "well who's fault is it that he had that control" (to that effect) To bind the club to these deals (ostensibly to win a premiership) then secretly sign with the Dogs is, shall we say, a dog act.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Is anybody saying he did it to screw the club ROC??? He did it to win premierships. And he achieved that. But was clever in getting out before the proverbial hit the fan
planko
Guest
LETS GET 3 THINGS SORTED..... G Stewart was not offered a contract cause manly did not want him period. I have now had this told to me and this is why all year players have been going nuts. This makes more sense. The fact that these contracts are backended means that players were not taking less to play at manly but just getting it down the line. eg does anyone actually going to believe that choc is worth 970 for a season. I dont think he is worth half that. Foran and DCE are important to each other these 2 together are worth more than 1 alone. eg No doubt that when Lui is playing well that Thurston plays better.