The drama, intrigue and political in-fighting has gone up several notches at Brookvale Oval in the past 18 or so months.
The decision not to offer Glenn Stewart a new deal, combined with Anthony Watmough’s departure from the Sea Eagles, led to damaging headlines and talk.
Last year’s move by the Penn family to take full ownership of Manly, ending the in-fighting between warring board factions that made the NSW Labour Party look tame, was supposed to be a game-changer.
Joe Kelly came in as a CEO and the Penns talked big about retaining both star halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran.
But things just went from bad to worse.
The Sea Eagles have long had an ability to put off-field drama and board feuds to one side and perform well on the field. Des Hasler was a master of it and of keeping his team famously ‘under the radar’.
Geoff Toovey, who was Hasler’s assistant, has done the same since taking the reins at the end of 2011.
Toovey did a great job, leading Manly to fourth spot and a preliminary final in 2012, fourth spot and a grand final appearance in 2013, and second spot (equal on points with minor premiers Souths) and a semi-final place last year.
This season, with a weakened forward pack and a horrific injury toll, has been a tough one.
The Sea Eagles lost six of their first seven games – unheard of at Brookie since the 2004 season. The club was in the papers week after week for one thing or another, and the instability clearly affected the playing group.
But little by little, as key players made it back together on the pack, the team’s form picked up and they are making an unlikely but impressive late run for the finals. The class of a group that has enjoyed so much success together has prevailed.
The Penns have bumbled and fumbled since taking over Manly.
They botched the Cherry-Evans negotiations, with the halfback eventually re-signing for an amazing, lifetime $10 million contract. Then were the pathetic attempts to knife Toovey, a club legend, with approaches to Brad Arthur and then Trent Barrett.
The sacking of Toovey for Barrett was finally confirmed last month.
And then there’s the cleanout of 14 players for next season, some whom are under contract for 2016, including veteran and two-time grand final winner Matt Ballin.
A huge cleanout of club staff, including recruitment manager Dave Warwick, has also been carried out.
Triggering all of these moves, and rescuing Manly from have no Test halves to keeping one, has been Bob Fulton. White knight, former star player, coach and rugby league Immortal, ‘Bozo’ is one of the code’s heavy hitters.
Few have done better in the maroon and white then Bozo, either as a player in the 1970s or as a coach in the 1990s. His reputation among the Manly faithful is rock solid, as it should be.
The Sea Eagles were at their most successful when another former player and coach, Ken Arthurson, ran the show. ‘Arko’ ruled the roost on the northern beaches for decades and Manly enjoyed huge success.
But can a one-man show in the professional, 21st century game work? The days of Dennis Fitzgerald and Peter Moore are gone.
Fulton, it seems, now has unlimited power at Manly and questions need to be asked.
Why has Toovey, Fulton’s inspirational captain for years, been treated shabbily?
Why have the Eagles Angels, the first-of-its-kind female support group, been sidelined?
Why are the club and Warringah Council at war over Brookvale Oval? What plans and strategies are in place to upgrade the stadium?
Why hasn’t talismanic fullback Brett Stewart being tied down to a new deal?
Why is a bloody revolution being staged at Brookie when careful evolution was required?
The Sea Eagles have always protected their own, and local and adopted heroes were lionised. But now they are eating their own.
Manly fans are confused and worried, while the rest of the NRL watches with bemusement and probably some joy. It is usually the likes of Parramatta and Cronulla who are the train wrecks.
Where will it all end? It’s hard to say.
There’s talk that John Hopoate will be in charge of the Sea Eagles’ SG Ball team next year. What’s next, Scott Fulton as Barrett’s assistant?
Already Bob Fulton’s reign is ruffling feathers. With Barrett, John Cartwright and Co. in charge next year, the pressure will be on north of the Spit bridge.
In Bozo we trust.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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