It's reasonable to assume that backloaded contracts are the reason why Manly is tight under the cap for 2011. Guys like G Stewart, Kite, Watmough etc who re-signed in the last 2 years would have had to have smaller payments in the 1st year or so, and bigger ones in later years, as Manly was still paying Orford's (and others) backloaded contracts last year. That would explain why the Farrer option of 1 year in France is necessary. I don't credit the rumours that Manly has $$ worries, it's the reality of having to manage and stack a quality team that is capable of winning a premiership.
having a quite year as far as recuitment goes and forward loading some contracts, then having a big recuitment year and backloading the new contracts seems to be the legal way tinker with the cap.
The problem with that is you maybe have 2 or 3 years tops to get the premiership while you have a top quality roster, then after that you need to release a few players to keep under the cap and start again in a few years time. We managed to get our premiership, but it looks like it has come at a cost for the next few years.
