Rest easy northern beaches residents, that crumbling sound is not a catastrophic failure of the Manly Dam, but the toppling of the Berlin-esque wall that divided the Sea Eagles’ Pittwater Road headquarters.
So with a splash of Penn family ink, most Manly fans are not only breathing easier but the rest of the competition can go about finalising their 2015 rosters.
Well, maybe not so Parramatta, who are still trying to locate the Hayne Plane black box amid patching escape holes in Brad Arthur’s Sea Eagle aviary.
Those of us on the outer should have twigged something was up in the weeks following the Rabbitohs’ day-of-days, with no confirmation of season-long rumours regarding the relocation of some of the game’s best.
With Anthony Watmough reportedly all but fitted for a blue and gold tracksuit, out jumps helmeted Hayne confirming funds for the unsettled Sea Eagle, providing Geoff Toovey time for one last investigation before adding his weight to that divisive wall allegedly driving away his premiership stars.
So what now? Nothing will surprise given recent events, but surely Watmough has one eye focused on becoming a 300-game one-club stalwart, or are we to believe fractured relationships make his position at Brookvale untenable.
And what of the Eels, will they steer clear of Choc’s ageing pins and focus – as Peter Sterling hopes – on a playmaker, like Kieran Foran?
Or will the Warriors trump the lot and sign both Foran and Steve Matai.
Brett Stewart is no doubt still simmering over the entire shambles, but perhaps he’s warming to the idea of staying put rather than subjecting his twingey hammies to a Canberra winter.
Don’t forget Willie Mason is a likely Sea Eagle – albeit possibly subject to wall-demolishing fine print. So if Watmough stays, could Willie replace Fui Fui Moi Moi at Parramatta?
Whatever happens should be swift, and not long after the dust settles on work-site Brookvale.
Time is short, the list long, and that’s without considering the Dragon faces nervously peeping over the WIN Stadium fence… Time for a wrecking ball?
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Great signing for Parra. Choc will do wonders for the likes of Kenny Edwards. More rocks and diamonds from Mateo I suspect, hopefully the shiny ones during the big games.
maximillian
Guest
Mateo has officially been released by the Warriors so I assume hes off to Manly. Just heard it on the news. Hopefully the Warriors use the extra cash to sign Matai because we need a top level centre. Mateo is 1 of the most frustrating players in Warriors history! He couldve been anything & never fulfilled his potential so Im glad to see the back of him tbh. The Warriors will make the 8 under McFadden. He doesnt suffer fools & Mateos laziness cant be tolerated.
Parrafan
Guest
Just for interest sake it looks like Watmough has just been released by Manly, and Manly will sign Mason and Mateo for 2015. Still waiting for official announcement.
Parrafan
Guest
Just for interest sake it looks like Watmough has just been released by Manly, and Manly will sign Mason and Mateo for 2015. Still waiting for official announcement.
Parrafan
Guest
Yeah sorry Scott I can't agree with that. There is a reason he is a walk up for the blues and generally makes the kangaroos as well. In my opinion every error, or penalty is crucial. His penalty and error rate is in the low bracket for a forward who gets so involved in the match. Either way time will tell.
tigerdave
Guest
Guru you are a bit hard on him. There is no doubt Choc will regularly make unforced errors at critical stages of a match and he will miss the tackle that needs to be made close to the line (and other places). As a player he is a great asset though and his errors are limited to a few but critical ones throughout a match. 100m per error is a bit harsh. At his best he would walk into any side, but his best is becoming less and less nowdays. Parrafan, I wish you luck with Choc. I wish Parramatta luck without Jarred as well. The Competition is in a great state when Parramatta are strong. I fear their progress with the loss of their superstar at the back.
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Parrafan Mate you should look at Choc's dumb unforced errors at crucial times of a game after his team and just defended their line for several sets and he gives a silly penalty or drops the ball cold. Whatever his stats are I penalize him 100m with every dumb error or pen and if you do that you will get a true indication of his value.
Parrafan
Guest
I think the rift with Watmough and DCE has been overstated. There is always friction between players in a team, but usually it is handled well. The issue seemed to run deeper to management, with David Perry and the Quantum group prioritising signing their halves over club stalwarts. It's a difficult issue but I think not even offering Glenn a contract is really thumbing your nose at a player who had contributed so much to the club. It was always going to cause tension. I looked at Choc's stats this year and he is still a brutal warrior. He makes almost 15m a carry, averaging over 120m and 30 tackles a game. All that with a busted bicep. Given how green our forward stocks are I think it's a brilliant signing. Put him at lock and he will carve up.
Parrafan
Guest
Not too sure re Bennett. At the Broncos he certainly had it a bit easier, the Broncos being a one team city with many corporate sponsors and plenty of FTA time. I think the problem sits more with Peter Doust. Why would you pay so much cash for Benji? Why would you pay so much cash for Dugan and Nightingale? Why wouldn't you pursue a decent bloody prop? However the issue isn't only limited to the Dragons. A fair few other clubs are now feeling the pinch from back ended contracts, most prominently being Manly.
tigerdave
Guest
Good luck with the ageing Watmough Parrafan. You have bought a surly, self centred player with attitude. Parra can only hope Stweard doesn't follow. Anthony is a great footballer, but he carries too much baggage and he is at the back end of his career for the way he plays football. Manly need to rebuild. Their stars are at the wrong end of their careers and they need fresh blood. The amazing thing about Manly is that they seem to be able to identify and shape players into their team. Willy may be okay for the short term, but why would Watmougs be the catalyst. King has retired and he was chewing up serious dollars, I think harmony at Manly will only come when they jettison Watmough and Stewart. Steward will always hold the grudge of his brother having to leave the club albeit on one leg. Again woonderful palyer, but an enormous risk for the bunnies.
tigerdave
Guest
I'd have to aree with the player that wants out. Why paythe big bucks to Benji and suck up precious funds to keep stalwarts. Parrafan, is this the legacy of the Wayne Bennett back end loaded contracts?
Parrafan
Guest
Nope. You'd guess he would be staying at the Dragons, considering they're trying to offload as many players as possible and Merrin is still signed there. Unsubstantiated rumour is one of the Dragons backline wants out of the club as he doesn't believe the club can be successful.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Nice work Parrafan. Got any news on Trent Merrin?
Cross-eyed Fullback
Guest
One of your best knucklehead.
Parrafan
Guest
Sorry mate but Choc is blue and gold next year. Just the transfer fee/amount Manly will pay next year to be finalised. All to be announced in the next two weeks as players and administrators come back for pre-season. Mason, Mateo and Vave to Manly, who will prioritise keeping their halves partnership together. Whether or not they will be able to do that is another matter which will be resolved closer to the end of the 2015 season.