Several so-called expert commentators have mentioned a lack of combinations will hurt us in the early rounds, and even that teams will hope they play us early in season. It's a fair point but I think they are overlooking the surprise factor we will have early in 2016. We have had mostly the same structures / key personnel for the last five years. Few teams have been as stable or more of a 'known quantity' - it's a tribute to Manly that other teams still could not stop us (until last year). Now we have new players, new structures, nippy hookers for the first time in a decade, and DCE controlling both sides of the ruck. Even our physicality / speed / agility will be different with new conditioner. I would hate to coach against us in early rounds (or any round for that matter!) because we are such an unknown quantity versus last five years. It makes 2016 season even more exciting.
Barrett has to get the team to want to play for each other, and seibold has to get the defense right. Once those two happen ( maybe week one who knows) then we will be winning in my opinion.
