It wasn’t that long ago when The Daily Telegraph tried to track down Steve Matai.
Behind a middle finger politely raised towards the mainstream and his former club, word filtered back. Thanks but no thanks.
To say the Sea Eagles haven’t shown heart in the five seasons since the polarising marksman departed is harsh, but there’s no disputing all is not well.
The days of Fortress Brookvale crumbled at the same time face masks and lockdowns were used to justify dwindling crowds.
In better times, mixing with hard nuts like Rambo Gibbs, Spud Carroll and Choc Watmough on their home turf was feared. Thoughts of fronting in pink with a fluffy merino-like tuft would’ve ended in an ambulance.
But on Thursday night there it was, Viliame Kikau not only carving up the left edge but ruling the northern beaches without so much as a whimper from loyal fans, many who’d paid overs for the privilege.
On the iconic eastern hill, for so long the club’s gameday heartbeat, a murmur of resignation with every passing try among a sea of high-flying Penrith flags.
And Houston thought they had a problem.
Broken maroon and white parts, there’s more than enough to fill the hole where the Sydney Football Stadium once stood.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
And despite the optimism, Tom Trbojevic isn’t the key to a successful relaunch. An afterburner counts for little, especially on a rocket that is yet to escape the hold-down arms.
Turbo could lift spirits but his absence is no excuse for a gormless lack of desire.
Seven players with international or Origin experience took on the Panthers, it’s a more than capable line-up. Only two years ago nine from the same side, also minus Tommy Turbo, took South Sydney to the brink in a semi-final.
Long the cryptic king, even by Des Hasler’s standards, this season’s messages are scrambled more than most.
The unfortunate departure of Api Koroisau and the unforeseen suspension of Manase Fainu started the rot, but the release of the proven low budget Danny Levi hinted of a surprise unveiling. It never came, and the ongoing trial of average halves to fill the void continues, even though Cade Cust has run rings around current number 9 Lachlan Croker.
Hasler’s currency is two premierships, but with a steadfast refusal to rejig underperforming combinations, it’s depreciating fast.
In a rough end to last season, Tevita Funa started to shine at fullback, yet the club rookie of the year can’t crack the top 17. Brad Parker and Moses Suli’s confidence is shot, yet top-price centre Dylan Walker continues to be the scapegoat in the non-familiar fullback role.
If someone’s talking, it’s obvious no one is listening.
Flatter than last year’s Pepsi in attack, not even the experienced pair of Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran can initiate players in motion.
On the other side of the ball, from the outer at least, no trust and shoulders appear to be an almost accepted form of meek surrender.
Off the park, the only thing bigger than the crane at the northern end of Lottoland is the current salary cap balls up.
Post the salary cap-funded medical retirements of Matai and Brett Stewart, the player market was expected to be Manly’s oyster.
Now there’s talk Marty Taupau is being shopped around. It’s an admission of widespread misallocation, and if the crowd favourite’s below-par output over the past fortnight is any guide, it has broken his heart.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Even worse, Taupau’s bookend teammate, the much-touted Taniela Paseka, has been a shadow of himself since the news unfolded. Clearly frustrated, the towering prop isn’t alone, the growing evidence of on-field angst has begun to simmer.
Sadly, many of the club’s loyal supporters feel like they’ve been taken for a ride too.
Those that pledged their annual membership last season are now expected to shell out up to double last year’s going rate at the gate. If away fans can secure a seat in Newcastle for $40, then surely it’s an offence to charge $40 for a spot on the Lottoland hill, even in torrential rain.
Cashing in on the irrational passions of sports fans might be palatable in good times but with the current Sea Eagles outfit yet to strike a blow, it’s hardly sustainable to expect fans to keep fronting in their relative absence.
From the paddock to the gate, little at Manly adds up.
The coach though seems oblivious to questions targeting perceptions of floored logic. Losses build pressure, but failing to motivate a side to deliver NRL intensity cuts to the core.
Perhaps Hasler can see what most can’t, but at 60, maybe he’s seen enough. Now in a battle to avoid the club’s first wooden spoon in 75 seasons, without any signs of improvement Hasler’s tenure is sure to fall under the spotlight.
And even without a tap on the shoulder, don’t be surprised if the revered Manly legend simply spins on his heel and splits on his own accord – middle finger raised towards a carcass of widespread mediocrity.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Great day today. Such a great stadium. Defence amazing. Astounding how the side has transitioned in such a short period of time. Best victory since the Sharks semi!!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I only got on to that forum about 5 years ago and I was stunned at how they maul their own coach and players. Criticism is part of the deal but it's savage and often proven to be off the mark. I don't think any fans , including me , wanted players like Croker playing in the team but Des has been rewarded in the past for being loyal. Hopefully it's the start of a Manly revival , we've had a few false ones in recent years.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Well played. I stay away from that page. Looking back at my rant I defiantly cracked. The Penrith game at Brookie set me off when Panthers fans on the hill were laughing at our side, with good reason. I don’t shy from my thoughts at the time, but definitely a good lesson in understanding that the bad times are never as bad as they seem.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's been remarkable and I can't say I predicted it but an article I wrote on the Silvertails forum saying all is not lost when we were dead last went down like a lead balloon and has been deleted. They don't like it when I show optimism against the herd. It really upsets some big and fragile egos. I guess the planned march on Eagles headquarters by forum members lost traction.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Have you seen a season like it - I'm still in shock, see you at Bankwest.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Des Hasler sends his regards.
David
Guest
This didn’t age well... just like the Murdoch press... looking for a crisis where one doesn’t exist
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I wouldn’t suggest having the NRL try to dictate salary tiers. I actually don’t mind clubs like Manly, the Dogs, West’s, Broncos, Dragons and NQ screw up their caps. They need to pay the price for it. And I also don’t mind them getting flogged for it under these new rules. Parramatta did it after Ricky Stuart sacked half the club and had to cheat the cap just to put a team together. They got caught and shed a bunch of players and since Brad Arthur came along, while you can criticise him for not making a GF, has settled the roster down remarkably to the point when Parra go to market for a player now they aren’t doing so in a panic.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
Perhaps an idea might be for the NRL to have tiered payments, i.e. only 1 player on $1 mill plus, 2 players on $800K plus etc. But we all know TPAs will be used to get around that. The only way to eliminate that is to have salary cap and TPA payments administered by the NRL. From an NRL holding account money can be transferred from the clubs and sponsors directly to the NRL and then on to the players. But that is a legal minefield and won't happen, so we are stuck with the status quo.
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I fully agree. With DCE on 1.2m, the Turbo brothers taking up another 2m and Tapau on big coin. Dylan Walker on big coin. It only takes one of them to be injured and another to play below their best and you’re going to struggle. It doesn’t leave a lot left to create depth in your club. Cowboys are in a similar boat. Lolo on massive coin but worth every cent but he’s injured. Morgan big bucks – injured. Homes on $1m and playing on the wing. Josh McGuire being paid way overs. Don’t get me started on West’s. One team with similar issues over he last two years but with vastly different results is Cronulla. Moylan big bucks and injured a lot. Dugan big bucks (FB Money) and out every other week (or every other half), Fifita big bucks with shot knees. SJ on $1m and injured long term. Yet they still made the 8 and are more than competitive this year. A lot of criticism about them making the 8 but not beating a top 8 team all year but with this lop sided and ageing roster could they have been expected to do any better? This is a clear case of a poor roster being well coached. How he hasn’t been extended is beyond me. Morris needs to be given the roster and a clear run to turn the club around. I think he’s doing great.
Bald eagle1960
Guest
If Taupua is kicking stones drop him to our feeder club personally don't think we have got any value out of him since he came across from the ????
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
We both need to be consistent mate about accusations of “rorting the system”. :thumbup: If you want Inglis’ salary cap value added back onto Souths salary cap then I’m OK with that but only AFTER the Roosters get the $4.5 mill that the Roosters were over the salary cap in 2013 (as revealed by Matty Johns) for this year, meaning the chooks need to lose Tedesco and others to become salary cap compliant. Then they need to lose the $2 mill they have been over the salary cap for 2018 and 2019 over the next two years. Deal?
mushi
Roar Guru
And that has what to do with exemptions for injury retirements?
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
If Manly are at the limit of their salary cap with THAT squad then they negotiated those deals via a salesman who sells fridges to Eskimos! :laughing:
fieldy69
Roar Rookie
I am a Manly fan and while there is disproportionately high amount being paid to Tapau, DCE and the turbo’s (Walker may be another) I’d be interested to see if they are spending all of their cap, whether by choice or through lack of funds. Things were dire when Barrett left and I doubt they’ve improved
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
That's hard to argue with mushi. One might also argue that it is impossible to remain under the salary cap between 2018 -2019 when a team has 3 players on $1 mil plus another on $850K, 2 more on $650K, 3 on $500K and another on $450K totalling $6,615,000 which equates to 70.3% of a $9.4 mill salary cap for a squad of 30 players. That leaves just $2,785,000 to divide between 20 players averaging at $138,250 per player. With international rep players like JWH, Tupou, Taukeiaho etc. that hardly seems possibly. Not when Tupou was downgraded on a recent contract from $350K to $250K and JWH is on $300K plus!
mushi
Roar Guru
My only issue is that Inglis should be added back like the NBA. If he's playing super league his career wasn't ended.
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
Are you suggesting they are the anti-Roosters? Rather than being $2 mill plus over the salary cap they are under the cap by an equivalent amount? The only two birds in the competition like a Rugby League Yin and Yang balancing each other out. Hmm... interesting theory. I wonder what the Manly fans think about that?
Spartacus
Roar Rookie
Darn! Someone is actually paying attention. You know when you post something, and you think; "Someone is going to challenge that" but then you think, "Nah, it's just a passing comment". Anyway, the more obvious point of contention would have been that Sam Burgess was on about $850 plus TPAs. The initial point though is still relevant. Manly are overpaying their highest paid players and not getting value for money.
fieldy69
Roar Rookie
does anyone actually believe manly are spending up to their cap?