You know, on paper Manly does have a top 8 team in 2016, though I wouldn't go so far as to say top 4.
However, as we have seen, 'on paper' doesn't take everything into account. The reality is that we have a few veterans who are well past their best, a rookie coach who at times appears to be only a puppet for behind the scenes ego's and a bunch of talented kids who aren't being used to their full effect.
Lets be honest here people. Of our regular starters this year.....
* Snake and Killer have been more passengers than players.
* Skivy tried his best but his body is starting to cry enough.
* Every time DCE looks like he is starting to get back to his best he goes and gets inured.
* We have potentially one of the most damaging ball runners in Kapow but he's either not being used properly or is out suspended.
* Tom Trbojevic is proving to be the gun everyone knew he would be and leads this team in just about every attacking category, but his bad ankle is restricting him somewhat. When Tom gets into the clear he doesn't get caught. With his ankle he is because he can't sustain top pace right now.
If not for the young guns like the Turbo's and Matt Parcell we would be worse off than the Chooks and Knights. As it is we're playing like a bottom 4 side, even without the injuries.
I'm going to YART here (or should that be YATT?). Given the state of things as they are now (season ending injuries to Skivy and BJ and assuming that at some point we'll have the rest fit and available), here is what I think our best possible lineup is:
FB - Brett Stewart
WG - Jorge Taufua
CE - Jamie Lyon (c)
CE - Dylan Walker
WG - Tom Trbojevic
FE - Api Koroisau
HB - Daly Cherry-Evans
PR - Martin Taupau
HK - Matt Parcell
PR - Nate Myles
SR - Feleti Mateo
SR - Jame Buhrer
LK - Jake Trbojevic
res - Siosaia Vave, Addin Fonua-Blake, Lewis Brown, Darcy Lussick.
With Skivy gone for the year I would actually play Api at pivot and have Killer in the centres with Walker. I ummed and ah'd about fullback but ultimately went with Snake's experience for now with Tom on the wing. Api and Walker in the team also gives us at least 2 backup goal kickers.
In the forwards I would move Kapow to the front row, drop Lussick to the bench where he can impact in the same fashion as Vave and AFB, and bring Mateo into the back row as a ball player (not likely to happen but its what I would do). I'd keep Jake at lock because although he doesn't have Beaver like speed, he is a decent runner and he can pass the ball. I just wish he'd offload more in tackles rather than pass before the line. Drag defenders in and then pop a pass.
Long rant. I think my fingers are getting cramps.