The Sea Eagles were surprise packets last season finishing in sixth spot before bombing out in Week 1 of the finals.
After a stormy summer and a lack of signings, will they go backwards in 2018 or do they still have the nucleus of a really good side?
Last season
6th, 14 wins, ten losses, 552 points scored, 512 points conceded
Last five seasons
4th (lost grand final), second, ninth, 13th, sixth
2017 review
Not many people expected much last season from Manly, including myself, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Expectations were generally low, at least from the outside, for a team that finished in the bottom four in 2016 and appeared in a state of flux.
After a nightmare start, where they were belted by the Eels and Rabbitohs at home in their opening two games, the Sea Eagles rallied to become one of the most dangerous attacking sides in the NRL.
The Sea Eagles’ form was fantastic on the road, beating strong sides like the Roosters, Cowboys and Raiders in their own backyard.
The side looked flaky defensively, especially on the edges at times throughout the season, and that’s something they will have to address if they want to take another step forward in 2018.
Despite the 14 wins being a great achievement, overall Manly would have been disappointed with their Round 1 finals’ exit to Penrith, a side they beat by three points the previous week.
(AAP Image/Lukas Coch)
2018 gains
Jack Gosiewski (Rabbitohs), Toafofoa Sipley (Warriors – 2019), Lachlan Croker (Raiders – 2018), Joel Thompson (Dragons – 2019)
2018 losses
Pita Godinet (Wests Tigers), Blake Green (Warriors), Brenton Lawrence (retired), Jesse Martin (Rabbitohs), Steve Matai (retired), Brett Stewart (retired), Billy Bainbridge, Jarrad Kennedy, Joey Lussick (released)
Manly have had a very quiet summer, with the salary cap storm enveloping the club as rumours of them being over the cap have run rampant.
They did manage to snare Dragons’ back rower Joel Thompson for the next three seasons, which is a handy pick up to a forward pack lacking depth. Thompson is a hard-nosed back rower who, while not explosive, is a defensively strong and mentally tough sort of player.
The big loss for the Sea Eagles was that of five-eighth Blake Green, who I thought was excellent for them last season. He played the perfect fit for Daly Cherry-Evans, and his experience was vital in earning repeat sets and steering the Sea Eagles around the park.
It will be interesting to see whether Lachlan Croker can have anywhere near the same impact, given he seems certain to start in the Number 6 jersey.
Coach – (Trent Barrett)
While Trent Barrett would have been frustrated with Manly’s inability to add to their roster in the off-season, he really put his imprint on this side last season.
He suffered a real baptism of fire in his debut coaching season, when Manly finished 13th and he is definitely a coach that wears his heart on his sleeve. However, last season Barrett moulded a style of football that was expansive and aggressive in the image of the side he had at his disposal.
Manly seemed a confident and happy team for most of the year and, while Barrett could occasionally lose his rag in post-match press conferences, he has a good hold on what he is doing with this roster.
The biggest battle for Barrett in 2018 will be staying out of the politics of how the Penn family run the Manly Club, and managing a roster that, while talented, lacks depth as a squad.
(AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Most important player – Daly Cherry-Evans
Cherry-Evans was back to his dynamic best in 2017 after a couple of seasons where his form had dipped alarmingly.
While he was still snubbed by Queensland, he played like the best halfback in the competition for large periods of 2017. He stepped up in clutch moments with big field goals, as well as playing some sparkling attacking football, whether through his passing, kicking or rejuvenated running game.
He led from the front as captain, and they won’t be able to ignore him at rep level if he reproduces his 2017 form this season.
2018 likely side
1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Akuila Uate 3. Brian Kelly 4. Matthew Wright 5. Jorge Taufua 6. Lachlan Croker 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Martin Taupau 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. Darcy Tussock 11. Curtis Sironen 12. Joel Thompson 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Lewis Brown 15. Addin Fonua-Blake 16. Lloyd Perrett 17. Frank Winterstein – Unavailable: Dylan Walker (ankle)
2018 verdict – sixth
I just think this side is being underrated heading into 2018. I know they have lost Blake Green, however I still think they have some key players that are about to go to another level in their careers.
I think Tom Trbojevic is a superstar who can genuinely challenge James Tedesco for the No.1 role with the Blues.
I think Trbojevic is also an outstanding player and, in the absence of Blake Green, will step up and show he is also an excellent ball player.
Cherry-Evans was mesmeric at times last year, and I think as long as Lachlan Croker can take a few eyes off him and be serviceable Cherry-Evans should still thrive.
Apisai Koroisau is my tip to be the Blues hooker this year, so I think that gives Manly a really dangerous and creative spine that will worry all teams in the competition.
Throw in Martin Taupau, Dylan Walker, Akuila Uate and a decent back row of Curtis Sironen and Joel Thompson and I think this side has a lot of strike power.
Undoubtedly, the question mark over this side is their ability to defend and be resilient in games. Last year they conceded a number of big scores when they were beaten, and they were not the most resilient side when things went against them.
Another concern would be a genuine lack of depth as, while I believe their best 17 is a very decent side, I think they lack the depth of other sides that I expect to be in and around the top eight.
I know plenty of people have Manly going backwards this year and missing the finals but I can’t see it. I think they can win 14 games mainly based around an explosive attack to get them back into the finals and another home elimination final in 2018.
Eddie’s ladder
Sixth: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
Seventh: Brisbane BroncosEighth: Penrith PanthersNinth: Parramatta EelsTenth: North Queensland Cowboys11th: Newcastle Knights
12th: South Sydney Rabbitohs
13th: Gold Coast Titans
14th: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs
15th: Wests Tigers
16th: New Zealand Warriors
Gus O
Guest
What’s the situation with Dylan Walker? Is it a long term injury? He is so dangerous as a centre, but needs halves that can get him the ball with a little time and space. I was surprised to see him used in the halves, but you know, I’ll get over it :)
beachart
Guest
Manly, desperately need a reliable goal kicker, they have not had one since Jamie Lyons retired.Maybe would have progressed a little further last year, to be more effective this year someone's to put in the extra work with the boot.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I know it was a trial, but to only just lose to the Roosters was a positive thing.
Paul
Guest
big call rating them as the 6th best team in the comp, given they've lost players and haven't really recruited outside Thompson. A lot of sides will be awake to them this season and with little forward depth, they'd be praying for few injuries if they're going to make the finals
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Have to put my hand up for one of those who underestimated the Sea Eagles last year - but I think they got lucky with some narrow wins that could have gone either way and a relatively soft draw. And I'm going to underestimate them again this year. While Joel Thompson is a very useful pick up there is a huge question mark at 5/8 and the backline looks very average without Dylan Walker. Manly rely heavily on the Trbojevic boys, DCE and Taupau. I think they might just miss the 8.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’m happy to admit I got it drastically wrong about the Eagles last year. I thought their recruitment looked a bit ‘bits and pieces’ last year and had doubts about Barrett. But he pulled the team together and got the best out of guys like Sironen, Uate, Green, etc. It reminded me of the 2016 Raiders. I think Manly’s and Barrett’s challenge will be getting those players to perform at their best again and do it consistently. At times last season they were red hot. At others they were underwhelming. You can’t under estimate the ability and impact of the Trbojevic brothers. Tom is going to get better and better. He’s already a ball player as his 21 try assists last season attests. I agree their top 17 is strong but question how deep they go beyond that. The addition of Joel Thompson is a good one and the lineup looks much stronger with Winterstein as a bench player rather than a starter. Lewis Brown? Really? Surely Shaun Lane is ahead of him for a bench spot...?