DCE is not a $1M player, he doesn't even convert tries, that in a game for a team like Manly is worth 10pts on it's own. He has potential but playing just off J Lyon has made him look like he worth that. The same thing with Foz, without Matai next to him he struggles.
Yes we may have lost these two but we have been shown snippets of the juniors we have coming through like the Trbojevic Bros, Gutho, Hodges, playing with FG players like Hiku, Buhrer etc. we still have good players and future potential. If you are paying $1M + for these two then you have buckleys chance of retaining the players coming through. It gives you some play when the other vultures come circling again.
The Management may have lost out on these two but we can really spread the love around ($$$) and address weaknesses in our team.
I am yet to be convinced by the new management but not paying $1M per player for these two is good sensible management. How they respond with a plan from here on in will determine if they have blown it. Too early start asking for management to resign. The damage was done last year a few weeks out from the finals. Getting rid of these players that have too much pull in the dressing room is a good thing.
The Penns have been in for the long haul and are part of the success we have had over the last decade. Ppl suggesting they have bought out the majority ownership just to hand it back to the NRL is completely stupid. If it was about money they would have sold up their share when Manly was at it's peak. They will get my benefit of the doubt as we don't know the real story.
Players like Lyon, Ballin, Matai have all signed on and even Snake has openly said he never asked for a release. Doesn't mean he would have re-signed but he played like classic Snake on Friday so his heart is still in it.