Memories of Geoff Toovey’s silhouette fading over the horizon will linger but as the sun rises will the same level of affection be afforded to his replacement?
Certainly not on present form. Manly’s current hole would need to be lined with more than precious metals to convince diehards the club is on the path to September action.
Trent Barrett is the first out-of-towner to head the northern beaches outfit since 2003, but the welcoming party is winding down to the morbid tunes of defeat as restless supporters seek fill from the Keg-of-Success.
Arriving at Brookvale with integrity intact, Barrett confidently expressed his blueprint to News Limited.
“I know we can attack, that’s not going to be a problem,” he said. “There’s plenty of points in the team and it’s the other side of the coin we are working really hard on.”
But off-season talk can be cheap, especially without the weekly interrogation from opponents. So the former Panthers assistant casually eased into the saddle as positive headlines comforted fans.
Now after two rounds, Barrett’s realities have come home to bite; he can either grab the reins on Bob Fulton’s astutely built horse or sit back and watch the rest of the field bolt.
The proud defensive fortress constructed over the past decade is now a rubble, demolished in ten days by a whopping 12 tries that have shamelessly exposed the pitfalls of Bozo’s hand-picked combination.
First Canterbury’s streamlined giants manhandled the home side’s much-hyped pack before Wests’ speedsters blazed a trail of destruction down the Leichhardt flanks.
In fairness to Barrett, he’s not the first coach snookered by untried combinations, and Brett Stewart is yet to lace a boot.
Compromising the quest for success is the equally poor form of the club’s second-grade side.
Add the complexity created by Kieran Foran’s departure and suddenly all fingers point towards the elephant in the room, Dylan Walker.
What is it about a 21-year-old with three seasons at centre that persuades a coach and his mentor he’s able to fill an international playmaker’s boots from day one at a new club?
Walker showed scintillating glimpses on Monday night but the heightened defensive burden is reason enough for the youngster to revert back to his natural position before his confidence is totally spent.
A position swap complements the Sea Eagles’ need for speed out wide and in Jamie Lyon they have a premiership winning five-eighth capable of straightening the attack.
Barrett’s issue is Lyon’s preference to remain at centre and represents the rookie coach’s first big test. At none-from-two it’s a fine line between pressing the panic button or allowing the season to drift aimlessly into the abyss.
A Walker-Lyon switch would assert Barrett’s authority and instil confidence to operate beyond Fulton’s shadow.
The last thing Manly need is a gun-shy coach piloting a directionless disaster with an inherent mess for assistant John Cartwright to clean.
Oddly for Cartwright, Manly’s plight is a bizarre déjà vu situation where a repeat fairytale ending depends on Barrett reaching his peak.
Back in 2001 Graham Murray was the Roosters’ version of Geoff Toovey, controversially axed despite reaching the finals and a grand final the year before.
Cartwright paired with Ricky Stuart to pick up the pieces. And, in spite of a publicised defensive drive by the rookie coach, the Roosters still slumped to four losses in the opening five rounds before miraculously finding their feet and first premiership since 1975.
There’s little doubt Barrett would be smothered with fan affection in the event of a Sticky repeat. Just as intriguing however, would be the opinion of the luckless former coach.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Great news EJ!! I saw that, Leary the match winner at Belmore. Can't wait to get out there and join the line at the keg of success!!!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Gday JH and TB. Judging by Manly's NSW Cup side that ran out today it looks like Mateo, Symonds and Stewart will run out on Monday night. Very good news. Green, Koroisau and Willame dropped. Buhrer also played today, so he might be available next week.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Could be true, I wouldn't be at all surprised if Parra's haywire third party payments have mistakenly found their way into DCE's account :)
East Bound & Down
Guest
10 mill a season according to you Baz .
AlanKC
Guest
He's taken a cut to help out.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
G'day Tommo, what exactly has Lyon received from Manly that he doesn't deserve?
andrew
Guest
On the one hand i feel sorry for Baz but on the other hand he has been around football long enough to know what goes on around that particular football club. That said the guy copped it from the St George half of the St George Illawarra Dragons fans the entire time he played as part of the merged club so if anyone has the fortitude to handle it, it is him. But I have visions of when Peter Sharp used to try and coach that side and the box was full of ringers like Peter Peters. Why the "Media Manager" needed to be looking over the coaches shoulder I never understood but it was testament to who was actually in charge and the level of importance certain people thought they carried. Its only a matter of time before you start seeing a very crowded Manly coaches box, and then its good luck to Trent trying to do his job
the older
Guest
Always thought of Barrett as a talented but not very bright footballer. Not sure how the " not very bright " part is going to go in coaching.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Brisbane's approach to moving Milford to 5/8 is an interesting case study. Griffen failed with the transfer of Barba and then Bennett came in and got it right with Milf. Milf struggled early but persistence paid off. Out of Baz, Dylan and Lyon it could be a game of who blinks first.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I'd never question his effort but I don't think he's been very effective. I'd have Mateo in the team now. I'd even think about playing him at 6. Find some second rowers from somewhere.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Missing Brett Stewart who adds a lot from the back. Tom T is a good young player but probably better to start on the wing as the fullback role in today's game is a lot more complicated That said he's been one of the better players in the first two rounds. As for Walker maybe Barrett is hoping he'll come good like Anthony Milford did for the Broncos last year. I still think Lyons to 6 and Walker to centre would be the best move, would have been especially useful on Monday with a fullback like Tedesco who uses his speed to get outside players. Lyon seems to have slowed considerably this season. I expect Manly to bounce back and win next Monday especially if Stewart is back and playing at Brooky. The forward pack need some tweaking, bring Mateo back on the right edge and they need to figure out how to help Taupau out in defence when close to their line if he's playing 2nd row. Myles needs to lift his game as well. Lawrence was excellent on Monday and Jake T was solid too.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
We should also note the loss of Matt Ballin with regards defence. Maybe not the quickest around the ruck but he's 50 tackles a match are sorely missed.
Parrafan
Guest
Good to have a bit of depth and have Wenty firing. Hopefully no spoon for them this year.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks for the backhander, Parafan :). I was getting at last weeks 28-0 loss at Ringrose. Good news for your mob though, you'd be rating the Eels progress.
Parrafan
Guest
I didn't know Manly's NSW cup team was Wentworthville? If I recall Wenty ran up a score against Manly's NSW cup side last Sunday (28 nil) Very concerning considering the pack included Symonds, Lussick, Mateo, Knight etc
ree
Guest
Well said
EagleWal
Roar Rookie
Touched on in the story but for me the biggest loss is Brett Stewart. Fullback is now (has been for awhile) the dictator and the cleaner in defence. While others can stand in the right place and catch the ball it takes time to learn how to effectively direct 12 blokes 20 metres away. Add that to the easing of pressure on DCE by his 1 or 2 ventures into attack each set and Manly is a completely different team. Not there again this week but fortunately we play the Sharks. I say that as they are far more straight up and down than the Tigers giving the boys greater assistance to provide a solid line.
Tommo
Guest
Much has been made of Walker playing his junior years at 6; however, in 2014 Madge tried him at 6 for three weeks before putting John Sutton back into that position until Luke Keary was able to return from his torn pectoral muscle. Walker is a very good inside centre, and he certainly does posess a lot of ball playing skills, but to expect him to play 6 behind a beaten pack with all the extra defensive work is expecting too much. He's not on his own though in the comp - see Nikorima last night - almost no attacking stats because he was buggered from constantly tackling massive units. I don't know that Manly has any other viable options at 6 - the whinger (Jamie Lyon) tends to get whatever he wants at the club, so if he doesn't want to play 6 he won't.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Hey TB. I'm a tad surprised you've singled out Matai, I've been impressed with his commitment with the ball especially inspiring the forwards from his own half. Are your thoughts more directed at defensive positional play? The DCE control the lot scenario was always going to be a big call. He struggled with the concept in 2015 everytime Foran was out. He busts his gut to cover both sides and just runs out of gas in the second half, often reflected by inferior kicks.
Pepper Jack
Guest
Good point. With no 5/8 and no ball playing forward, everything gets telegraphed through DCE.