More so-called experts writing us off. This one from Betfair Australia.....
"The Slider
The Manly Sea Eagles were the big surprise packets of 2017, finishing sixth with a 14-10 record after starting the year forecast for a bottom four finish. They will not be repeating with a bottom four finish far more likely than a return to the playoffs this year. The warning signs are everywhere. There was the sharp jump last season, that nearly always returns to the mean the year following. There was the 6-2 record in close games, another key indicator a down year is coming. They overshot their real win rate by 1.5 wins. They have a salary cap scandal hanging over their heads. Blake Green, underrated in his importance to the team, has left for the Warriors and Trent Barrett seems no closer to finding a five-eighth than he does in finding Noah’s Ark. Lachlan Croker and Jackson Hastings seem the front-runners. The pack lacks punch. There is no depth across the park. The bottom looks to be falling out at Brookvale."
1 - It was pretty much decided a couple of months ago that Croker would be the 5/8. I think a lot have seen us chasing Pearce, Hodkinson and Carney and have read into it that we have no one else and that Croker or Hastings would only be a stop-gap measure who will drag the team down. And of those 3 we were chasing, only Pearce had we got him would have been assured of a starting spot over Croker and Hastings.
2 - The pack lacks punch. Say what? Marty Taupau led just about everyone other NRL forward in average metres per game last year. Jake is rated the best Aussie lock in the game and is easily the best defender in rugby league. Api has improved that much that he is now rated only behind Smith as the best #9 in the game and we've improved the back row considerably with the addition of Thompson joining Sironen. The only thing we might be lacking is bench props until Lussick is back and Perrett gets picked again.
3 - No depth across the park......ummm, OK. We have depth just about everywhere except the halves which I still believe was why we chased Pearce, Hodkinson and Carney in the first place.
Ladies and gentlemen.....we keep dancing underneath the radar.