Any way you look at it, 2016 was a disaster for those associated with the Sea Eagles. Multi-million dollar re-signing DCE failed to fire, new recruits underwhelmed, and injuries to club legends saw them miss the finals by a fair distance.
Another big off-season of gains and losses followed although you get the feeling this season’s recruitment was based on need rather than reputation.
That said, the loss of Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart and Steve Matai will be almost impossible to overcome, and the likes of Jono and Matt Wright, as well as Akuila Uate, have a huge task at hand.
Blake Green’s signing will allow Dylan Walker to revert back to his much-favoured centre position, and ease pressure on Cherry-Evans.
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Weakness: Lack of consistent striker power
I doubt there is a team in the world, other than perhaps the Storm, who could lose three undoubted club legends and not feel the sting.
Although Manly has pretty decent replacements in Tom Trbojevic and Dylan Walker, the other backline positions will be made up of players who were fringe first-graders at other clubs.
Jono Wright, Matt Wright, and Akuila Uate are likely to battle it out for a centre and wing spot, with Jorge Taufua, who had an inconsistent 2016, filling the other wing spot.
It’s not the worst backline in NRL history but lacks massively compared to the back five that have brought so much success to the club over the past five-or-so seasons.
Strength: Match-winning talent
Despite their losses, Dylan Walker, Tom Trbojevic and Cherry-Evans are genuine match-winners on any given day, while Koriosau and Green are more than handy attacking options.
Jake Trbojevic is arguably the best young forward in the game and has a mountain of rep jumpers in his future, to add to the Roos jersey he earned in the four-nations.
Marty Taupau, despite spending more time in the headlines for acts of foul play that for damaging runs, is a man who can bust games wide open at will, if he can keep his aggression in check.
Curtis Sironen has had a monster pre-season and looks set to provide many blushes at former club the Tigers, whilst Akuila Uate is looking to show he has much more left in him yet.
Star Player: Daly Cherry-Evans
Cherry-Evans didn’t have the greatest of NRL seasons in 2016, although he was hardly amongst the NRL’s worst either.
There is huge pressure and expectation on a player who signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract, and that pressure will only intensify in 2017.
He needs to guide his side around the park and lead them back to the finals. Anything less is a failure at both a personal and club level.
There is no doubt he has the talent. He wasn’t handed a big contract, he earned it. On his day, there are few better.
Pressure On: Trent Barrett
Barrett received a pass of sorts despite his club's struggles in 2016, mainly due to the off-field distractions that were hardly of his doing.
That said, there will be no get out of jail free card if Manly struggle in 2017. He’s now had two seasons of recruitment to build his side.
The rookie coach needs to find a way to get the best out of his players, who will need to perform many times better, and more consistently, than last season.
If Manly starts poorly, the axe will hover, at least the media. How he responds will have a huge say in how Manly fares this season.
Prediction: 13th
Last season I tipped Manly to finish third and was laughed out of the building by non-Manly fans, and heralded as a true believer by the Manly faithful.
This season is a complete change about. I can’t see Manly being dragged into a battle to avoid the wooden spoon, but for the first time in many years, they’re not one of the fancied sides.
Green is a huge in, but they’ve lost too much across the backline, and their forwards weren’t able to win enough battles in 2016 to see past that.
If DCE and Trbojevic fire, anything is possible, but there are too many better sides across the competition for Manly to feature in the finals race.