Manly's glass still half full despite a disjointed season opening

Not many fans let alone coaches would brag about a 3-4 start to the season, especially a rebuilt Manly line-up touted by many as top four certainties.

But despite a dreadful opening fortnight, Trent Barrett should be slapping his men on the back following their spirited rebound amid a condensed schedule.

Thursday night’s loss to the revitalised Eels in a brutal contest perfectly summed up Manly’s strengths and weaknesses from the opening seven rounds and although they sit outside the eight, I’ve seen enough to conclude the glass is half full.

Results aside, Barrett has the essential ingredients – the ears and minds of his troops. They proved this to a man by greeting Parramatta’s ferocity head on. Without it, sprinklings of fineness as Jason Taylor described remain unsustainable and lead to rumours of divide as Michael MacGuire is finding out.

Since being bashed by the Bulldogs in the opening round, the Sea Eagles’ pack has more than held their own in subsequent contests.

Nate Myles, although unspectacular, regularly leads the pack with a century of metres up the front and Martin Taupau’s destructive charges have returned following a quiet Test series in England before Christmas.

Young Jake Trbojevic’s committed early showings show no sign of faltering while former perennial lower grader Siosia Vave’s power and minutes upfront have surprised many.

Throw in solid contributions from Darcy Lussick, Brenton Lawrence and the creativity of Tom Symonds in addition to Matt Parcell’s slick service and Manly’s struggles stem from an inability regularly navigate a path across the stripe from point blank range.

Losses to both Parramatta and South Sydney weren’t through lack of effort or lack of desperation on their own line, but rather repeated attacking raids more awkward in appearance than a stumbling baby giraffe. In each contest, punishment was delivered by opponents superior execution in the clutch moments.

Barrett’s revamped roster was always going to battle the hourglass to cover Kieran Foran’s direct forays.

Dylan Walker’s selection at pivot remains a hot topic and while the addition of Apisai Koroisau has showcased glimpses of brilliance its been more the individual greasy pig variety than rehearsed plays.

Daly Cherry-Evans absence hasn’t helped but even worse is the month lost working with the former Rabbitoh centre.

It’s a work in progress that will probably roll into next season but the signs are there.

Walker’s expertly weighted banana kick in the opening exchanges against the Eels was a throwback to the Matty Orford days and would have unveiled Brett Stewart’s next assistant had the fullback been able to round off the act like he’s done countless times in the past.

Two uncharacteristic fumbles at each end of the park overshadowed some of Stewart’s best efforts of the season. After several tentative showings following tight hamstrings the try-scoring ace was again backing his pace around the ruck, especially in tandem with Walker.

Tom Trbojevic brings his own unique scoring options and despite a tough night against Semi Radradra the teenager’s transfer to fullback is clearly underway often swapping with Stewart to maximise kick return metres.

As it stands Manly’s squad is laced with strike power and options aplenty but the rewards will only flow if Barrett cracks the code before time has the final say.

In reality, Manly need to rebuild Fortress Brookvale before the committed government funds roll in.

With only one win from four, the Sea Eagles finals quest could come down to securing at least five wins from the six remaining games at their Pittwater Road home base. A touch and go scenario with games against the Cowboys, Panthers, Dragons, Knights, Storm and Raiders.

But striking at less than fifty per cent, the Sea Eagles epitomise the one week at a time cliche and this week’s Anzac clash in Newcastle is one they’ll be ready for given last year’s grand finalists follow in consecutive weeks.