Season 2021 was a fantasy season that started 0-4 by Manly, leaving them rock bottom of the table with -122 points difference.
A one-point win against the Warriors and Tom Trbojevic’s return really changed things for Manly, who went on to win their next three games before a loss to the 2020 minor premiers Penrith 26-16.
Manly then went shooting right up the table, finishing the regular season with 16 wins and eight losses, finding themselves in fourth spot and a qualifying final against minor premiers the Melbourne Storm.
Manly’s 40-12 loss to Melbourne set them up to face a wounded Roosters side who were dismantled 42-6 as Manly had their hands on another preliminary final berth against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
After a disappointing and frustrating game, South Sydney prevailed 36-16 and Manly’s record-breaking 2021 season was finished.
Most valuable player: Tom Trbovevic.
Most improved: Lachlan Croker.
Player ratings
Tom Trbojevic – 10
Tom Trbojevic gets a ten after a potential Dally M-winning season, with 28 tries and 30 try assists. Phenomenal.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Jason Saab – 8
Jason Saab gets an eight after scoring 26 tries and showing massive improvement offensively this season.
Morgan Harper – 6
Harper had a bright start to the season, pushing Moses Suli out of the side and cementing his place. But a disappointing finals series pushes him back down to a six.
Brad Parker – 6
Parker did enough to secure his spot in the side with solid defensive performances but gave Manly nothing outstanding.
Reuben Garrick – 9
Garrick had an excellent season, capped off with 334 points in the season – eight points off Hazem El Masri’s all-time point-scoring record of 342. He also scored 22 tries.
Kieran Foran – 7
Foran was the unsung hero of this Manly side, using his experience and excellent playmaking ability to put Manly over the line many times this season.
Daly Cherry-Evans – 8
Cherry-Evans had one of his best seasons for Manly this year. His excellent leadership led Manly to a preliminary final.
Josh Aloiai – 6
Aloiai had a very average season for Manly, missing quite a few games due to injury. Nothing too poor but nothing outstanding.
Lachlan Croker – 9
Lachlan Croker’s transition from the halves has been nothing short of phenomenal. He was one of Manly’s best players this season and revived his career in the NRL.
Marty Taupau – 7
He had a decent season leading the forward pack for Manly, which dominated a huge chunk of games.
Haumole Olakau’atu – 7
One of the breakout stars of Manly’s season, Haumole Olakau’atu’s season has been exceptional, especially on the attacking front.
Josh Schuster – 8
One of the rookies of the year, Josh Schuster has transitioned from the halves into the second row to cover for injuries and has been extremely impressive. His versatility and unpredictability has been exceptional. He has been one of Manly’s potent threats this season.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Jake Trbojevic – 7
Jake Trbojevic has had another fantastic season, proving once again that he is one of the best ball-playing locks in the competition plus his outstanding defence.
Dylan Walker – 8
Walker was one of Manly’s best towards the end of the season, providing that versatility from the 14 role and especially coming on as a small ball-playing front-rower throughout the back end of the season.
Karl Lawton – 6
Lawton came to Manly halfway through the season. He had an excellent start in the second row before getting limited minutes coming off the bench.
Taniela Paseka – 6
Paseka had a solid season. He didn’t exactly go as expected. Injuries had a huge impact.
Sean Keppie – 6
Keppie had a good back end of the season. He didn’t play much at the start.
Toafofoa Sipley – 6
He didn’t play much. He did well when he did.
Moses Suli – 7
Suli had a slow start to the season. He went to a new level in the back half of the season. I am extremely disappointed to be letting him go.
Curtis Sironen – 6
He didn’t play much this season due to injury and breakout young stars.
The highlight of the season
The pinnacle of Manly’s season came after a 46-18 demolition of the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 25. An in-form Tom Trbojevic produced two try-of-the-season contenders in one game and led Manly into fourth position and a qualifying final against the Melbourne Storm.
Lowlight of the season
Manly’s lowlight of the season came after the 40-point loss in Round 4 against Penrith, leaving the club rock bottom of the NRL table with minus 122 points difference. Many backed them to get the wooden spoon.
Season grade: A
They did much better than expected after an extremely slow start to the season. Manly’s defence improved out of sight this season. Manly’s attack was one of if not the best attack in the league with Tom Trbojevic. They had a top-four finish and a preliminary final.
Paul Monaro
Roar Rookie
Suli seems to be one of those players who may never live up to his potential. Good on his day but not consistent. If Des couldn't get the best out of him I doubt Griffin will. If the cap squeeze gets tight there're plenty of others we'd be happy to have at the Dragons.
WBGL
Guest
Thanks for the write up Isaac. Schuster at 8 is generous, played well but his work rate and game involvement at times, fell short of what is required, but he has potenetial, so a 7 at best. Jake T, easily a 9, his work rate and game management was one of the key factors to Manly's success this year. His defence has been key, but sometimes he gives away silly penalties/6 agains. Tapau, 6, against the Storm and Souths in the finals, he needed to step up and lead given his experience, but didn't Saab 7, yes fantastic try record, but Friday night showed he needs more development. Last Friday night, to get pushed out when he needed to stay in, poor defensive reads that lead to tries by Souths, work in progress. Sulie 5, his game on Friday night demonstrated why he has failed to regain is spot in the side, poor defensive reads and positional play. A great runner and tackle buster, but he's inconsistent. He has a lot of potential, I hope he acheives it. Croker, if he can develop more hooker guile, I think he will be great, he just lacks what Fainu/Korisou offer in attache.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Suli rates a 7??? How is that even possible? He has hardly played at all this year and when he has has showed zero between the ears. Case in point blowing a try and making a poor defensive read on Friday. Sure he made a break or two when the game was gone but that does not translate into a successful season. Maybe the Dragons will get tge best out of him, clearly we didn’t . Lowlight of the season was dropping two easy hames against the Knights and Raiders mud season. Highlight crushing the Eels twice
NorthNarra
Roar Rookie
Jake 9. Heart and soul of the team, big game player, always leaves everything on the field. Parker 8. Massive improvement in defence, has a brain and fearless smashing into the line. If Brad was playing in the prelim, Turbo's left edge raid to put Reuben over would not have been ruined by Suli's pointless obstruction play which, to be kind, showed a serious lack of situational awareness. May Moses enjoy his time with St George. Aloiai 5. Big body with a lot to learn. Paseka 5. Big body with a lot to learn. Kieran Foran 9. Injury free season - yay. Played his heart out every game. Great footy brain, inspiring leadership alongside DCE and Jake and as fearless as ever charging into the line. Schuster 7. Needs to learn ball discipline and that no lookers are part of an offensive arsenal not all of it. Will hopefully grow into a superstar. 2022 will tell. Marty 8. Huge effort on every run. Highlight of the season. Getting to the prelim. Lowlight of the season. Playing the prelim against Souths with seemingly having learned nothing from the encounter with the Storm.
John Neeson
Guest
I enjoyed the season. There was plenty of high points and we matched it with the likes of Parra and the rorters. Dessie’s gamble of Foz and Cherry brought back good memories as did Turbo and Jake’s impression of Snake and Gifty. For the future it’s time to hand Josh the reins at 5/8. He had his blooding this season and showed he has the class to add a touch of the Munsters. Add in Fainu and it’ll be another fun season in 2012 oops 2022.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Croker 9 and Jake 7, that'll do me. A fair assessment in general though. Jake is Manly's best big-game player at the moment because he always rises to the challenge. He's the player in the team which the old cliche comes closest to applying to ''give me 13 of him and you win every game'' It's not true but put his heart and desire in to the 13 Manly player and everything changes. I admire Crokers season and defence but his lack of attack puts all the pressure on those around him and allows the defence to gang up too much. Put Fainu in the team and the whole dynamic alters dramatically. Let Fainu play , NRL, standing a player down for three years because he could be guilty of something is ridiculous. It's criminal.