Just Making up the numbers?

[double hoops]

Gus pours cold water over Manly's premiership hopes.

Source: YouTube
- YouTube

 

[DUFFMAN]

So are 14 other teams besides us.

Realistically there are only 2 teams that are going play in the grand final, Melbourne or Penrith are the only two teams that are a real chance to be premiers
We all want to win but we are a couple of big names short of winning a grand final.
There is always a chance us or 3 or 4 other teams could but it will take every card to fall into place.

 

[Woodsie]

as a club we're on the improve ... on and off the field .. I never thought we were a big chance at the title this year ... but believe we will be genuine contenders for the next 3 years.

Having said that ... we're in it with a punchers chance ... GO MaNLY

 

[eaglebuzz]

We certainly aren't favourites but we are in it up to our eyeballs if the squad plays to its potential

 

[Eagles4Life]

Gus pours cold water over Manly's premiership hopes.

Source: YouTube
- YouTube

He also says that Manly is a lock for the finals. I think he's right about that, but he's wrong about us not having the capacity to challenge the top teams. I think we WILL make the top four in 2025. Just remember we beat almost all the top teams last season (Sharks excepted)

 

[LeonardCohen]

I think we have a backline capable of winning the premiership but sadly, there's a forward pack (including a 9) required to complete the puzzle. I don't believe we have a pack capable of winning the premiership. I also don't think it's a case of 'if we play to our potential' because I don't believe the ceiling is there for our pack. It's just not up to it IMO. I think our ceiling is 4th or 5th place. Until we change up the pack (i.e. get some speed and aggression and a genuine 9), I cannot see us taking out a title.

 

[jbb/james]

IMO manlys biggest issue is some dip**** crapped on about a premiership window and it caught legs.

 

[Woodsie]

IMO manlys biggest issue is some dip**** crapped on about a premiership window and it caught legs.

WOW ... not much happening in your world then?

 

[Rafferty]

I don’t disagree with the thread tittle, most have us as a lock in the 8 and we probably should be, however I have question marks all over us and won’t be at all surprised if we struggle, our pack, our 9, our game speed, game management, the origin period, depth, mental aptitude, fitness, I’ll throw our coach in to boot, no point banging on, we’ll just have to wait and see and hopefully I’m wrong, however I think a lot people on here are very one eyed sometimes, my heart wants Manly premiers 2025, my head on the other hand is very conflicted off the back of genuine concerns.

 

[maxta]

I agree
Have a lot to prove
Under the pressure cooker and competing with Penrith , Storm....clearly off the pace based on recent seasons but the improvement is the key....how much
Will find out soon, as better Defence and performance under pressure is the only thing....players are here to give a full challenge if can build momentum, believe and keep a healthy team

 

[The Who]

Brisbane is a good chance to play in the GF, much as I hate writing this. And I think Cronulla is a real possibility. I expect them to beat Penrith tomorrow as I anticipate the 'Riff to dip below their high standards this season.
As for us? 5th or 6th, dipping out pre-GF.

 

[BOZO]

Last season we met expectations by making the top 8 on 6th position
Meeting expectations is a Satisfactory pass mark for Seibold
What does Satisfactory pass mean?
It means Fulfilling expectations or needs; acceptable, though not outstanding

Progress towards winning a Grand final is to keep improving each year
This would mean a top 4 achievement in 2025

Any team that make their way into the top 4 and have a coach that is capable over Overachieving
They are also capable of winning the comp .

 

[Brookie Bob]

No one's going to call anyone a premiership contender unless you've been top 4 consistently the past few years, and have then made some eye-catching strike power recruitment in the off-season. Otherwise all pundits will go, 'meh'.

 

[BOZO]

Who expected the salary cap crippled Panthers to win 4 trophy's in a row ?
Cleary over achieved !

 

[Budgie]

I cannot possibly go into a season not believing that we're a chance to win the whole bloody thing. I imagine Tommy and Jake are the same. I sit in good company. Therefore ...

We'll win it!

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

He also says that Manly is a lock for the finals. I think he's right about that, but he's wrong about us not having the capacity to challenge the top teams. I think we WILL make the top four in 2025. Just remember we beat almost all the top teams last season (Sharks excepted)

Yeah, hard to argue with any of his analysis, really. It's up to the players and the coaching staff to prove they can take that extra step. But until they do that, no one is going to pick them as premiers.

 

[Scorpio]

He also says that Manly is a lock for the finals. I think he's right about that, but he's wrong about us not having the capacity to challenge the top teams. I think we WILL make the top four in 2025. Just remember we beat almost all the top teams last season (Sharks excepted)

In my opinion the problem is that finals are played at a different level of intensity to the regular season... and I haven't yet seen evidence that we have the bandwidth to match the top teams across the park in this scenario.

Last year we could pick off any team during the regular season and this was an important progression from previous years (including 2021)... but without key acquisition/s I am not sure where that next level of improvement is going to come from.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

We’ll be thereabouts , despite what Gould says.

 

[Phobia]

In my opinion the problem is that finals are played at a different level of intensity to the regular season... and I haven't yet seen evidence that we have the bandwidth to match the top teams across the park in this scenario.

Last year we could pick off any team during the regular season and this was an important progression from previous years (including 2021)... but without key acquisition/s I am not sure where that next level of improvement is going to come from.

I agree with you there, we were hopelessly out of our depth against the Roosters, but were strong against another "rookie" finals team in the Dogs.

I probably disagree with you, in the sense that I think that we will improve in the finals. The team wasn't fit enough against the Roosters, but with the experience of that loss, and what finals are actually like, we're in a better position to go further. I think what we do in the regular season demonstrates that we can match the top teams in roster, and on paper, but whether we're willing to step it up to their level, when they step up in the finals, is a mental and physical challenge for the team, rather than a roster management problem.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Interesting to hear Manly has the most experienced squad of all, in terms on NRL games. I think that's a real plus, and any youngsters who break into the side will certainly have earned it,rather than just tossed in to see if they can hack it.
As for making up the numbers... hey, No. 1 is a number.