Last year is a season Manly fans would rather forget. Aside from the representative honours and performances of the Trbojevic brothers and Daly Cherry-Evans, there was little to cheer about.
Sadly, more time and effort would have been spent cheering on the Eels’ opponents in the final rounds, as Parra battled with the Sea Eagles to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Highlighted by crowds in the 6000s in two of their last three home games, the worst defence in the competition (622 points against) and a mere seven wins, this was not the Manly we were used to hating.
Manly were “trying” though – Trent Barrett told us so after most of the 18 losses.
Most supporters’ faith will be tested countless times over a lifetime of loyalty, but after decades of dominance, this was a 26-week-long examination culminating in a giant F (perhaps an E- for avoiding the wooden spoon).
2019 could not come quicker and with it the four words that put a spring in the step of Manly fans over summer: Des Hasler is back.
Rounds 1 and 2 – both losses in wet conditions – showed glimpses of promise.
Wins over the Warriors, Knights, Rabbitohs and Raiders followed, and if not for a dubious non-call on an escort, the Eagles could have won five in a row.
Des called for an explanation, not an investigation, and DCE knew they “probably should have put the game away earlier”. There was no blame game – rather, an honest appraisal of the team’s performance.
After seven rounds, the Sea Eagles are back. Minus Tom Trbojevic, they were down 12-0 after ten minutes, then lost their half and captain with 30 minutes remaining against a 5-1 Canberra with the best defence over the opening rounds.
But Manly toughed it out and with Lachlan Croker providing the inspiration, they hit back and held on to win 24-22.
A more gutsy and significant fightback I find difficult to recall.
The signs of frustration have been replaced by new-found resolve and genuine accountability.
Unidentifiable last season, the Eagles are definitely back.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Seemed to go ok tonight. That’s the point, good sides CAN win without key players. They were no chance in 2018 in a similar situation.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I believe we have had three coaches who didn't play for the club in 70 odd years and only one of those had a roster which was good enough to go close and that was Lowe. I can't recall him having the best roster in the comp either. When you basically only employ ex Manly players as coaches it's not hard to guess how the stats will stack up. The Dogs are the same. Most premierships at NRL clubs are won with coaches who didn't lace on a boot at the clubs and that is the most compelling stat. The fans who looked at the roster on paper in Barretts first year and say he had a great roster are devoid of any insight. The team was made up of ex champions who were done, fringe 1st graders , one or two established genuine 1st graders and two establishing genuine 1st graders. No hope. Possibly my favorite player Brett Stewart was possibly the worst player in the comp in 16 , presumably due to injury. The use of stats alone without looking beyond them is faulty.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
There's something in the water... As Harvey notes below, about all Manly GF wins are off the back of ex-Manly coaches. You can't argue with those stats or the comparison of results with Tooves, Des v Barrett (who - if you listen to some people, is/was a very good coach).
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I think all 8 of their premierships were coached by ex-Manly players. Barrett had no chance.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
I am a Manly fan and yes they are doing well, but not sure they are a premiership threat...yet. Injuries is costing them. They will at least comfortably avoid any talk of the wooden spoon this year. Go Manly!
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Fainu is just naturally talented you unwrap the potential of Elgey and Suli and you’ll have a much stronger argument.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
As a Manly fan I'm not as convinced as most others that we need an ex Manly player as coach to do well. The only two outsiders are Graham Lowe who became ill and Barrett who had a couple of the most turbulent years as a rookie coach. Hardly proof of much. One thing I have long thought though is that it's a great place for players to come to , to fulfill their potential. It doesn't always work out but a recent example is the hooker Fainu. Unwanted at the Eels he came to Manly and has been instrumental in our wins this year. Some clubs like the Storm seem to bring the best out in a lot of players and Manly has a fair bit of that capability as well. Why that is in Manly's case I'm not sure.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
There is something about Manly, the siege mentality, area, some local disease, the facilities, whatever.. that takes a legend ex-player to tap into and make the most of. Doesn't matter how many of the team are local or not or where they come from, most of them buy into it when they are there. I mean 'one of their own' to be an ex-Manly player, 'their' menas the club and district as well, not just the team. Seems to be a good fit for Canterbury too, doesn't matter a fig for any other club. Except Dragons - who need to avoid one of their own and take in an outsider.
Brett
Roar Rookie
They won 3 from 10 there last year, so 2 out of 3 ain't bad in 2019.
Insider
Roar Rookie
I promise that I’ll be watching Manly play more GF’s than you will the cows, that’s just life
Zavjalova
Roar Rookie
Calm down. It's only round 8. Don't go buying your finals tickets yet. Manly to finish 9th. Brooky aint no fortress no more. Sorry.
Doug Graves
Guest
A bit of Des-peration there I reckon. The main reason for the turn around has to be getting rid of the overrated Barrett as coach, he was an overrated, cocky and whinging player and he carried that demeanour straight into the coaching box ala his whinging about the facilities after he already took the job. I reckon just about any coach could get this team to a 4-3 record (well maybe not Brown or Cleary), the real test comes now that Cherry-Evans is out for a few weeks, time for Des to put up or shut up I reckon.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
'better coached by one of their own' ..how does that work DP considering the only local players in the squad this week and the coming weeks are Jake Turbo..and Brad Parker,who up until last week even the Manly fans had turned on .. its basically a team of imported hired guns..like most other clubs admittedly, who you think, only function well when instructed by one of their 'own' ? How does their 'own' relate to the other 15 match day players ? Genuine question,I dont begin to understand the mechanics of this..
Tom G
Guest
I’ll take competitive footy over the dross and excuses from the Barrett era any day. Isn’t that what all sides, including those currently favoured aspire to?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Any team with DCE, Turbo, Jurbo & Taupau must always be a top 8 chance. This season, its some other “bits & pieces” players that have really stepped up with some noticeably improved form – Fonua -Blake, Suli, Parker & Fainu and last week Croker first up , taking over from DCE in that 2nd and half getting them home. Plus they have a couple of smart young signings in Waddell & Garrick. But it is a long season and these players need to maintain the form and hopefully remain injury free, to ensure their spot in the 8.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Agreed. The attitude in defence has improved dramatically. Last season an error in their half or a repeat set would inevitabley lead to an opposition try.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Compared to last year, being competitive is a big step up.
Brett
Roar Rookie
Maybe DCE is finding it easier off the back of a forward pack playing as a unit and defending for each other. In regards to the early crow, my point is Manly are showing signs of being back on track, they are a realistic top 8 chance which is a step up from where the majority of pundits had them finishing at the start of the season.
Bill
Guest
The current attitude in defence is the most pleasing thing. I now feel confident (albeit only a few rounds) that when a team is on our line that we can hold them. Regardless of our ladder position if we can maintain this attitude it will be a good sign of things to come. Our lack of cattle is a bit scary, we can't win a comp if our key players stay injured but it can instill a lot of confidence for our younger brigade if we keep this up. I'm happy... so far.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Yep that’s what they said in 2011