<p>Without a ball being kicked in season 2009, Manly are already reeling from some self-inflicted high hits, writes Brad Walter. Just five months ago, Manly were living the dream. After surviving the failed merger with North Sydney and near extinction, the once-despised Sea Eagles had been cheered by most of Sydney after beating Melbourne 40-0 in the biggest grand final win in history. Off the field, the club had just secured a new major sponsor after Quantum Eco Hot Water agreed to pay $1 million a season to have their names on the front of the Sea Eagles' jersey, and six Manly players were chosen in Australia's World Cup squad. But amid the euphoria, things were beginning to fall apart as the club's owners, Max Delmege and Scott Penn, bickered, and the behaviour of the players raised concerns about the culture at Manly. </p> <a href="http://www.silvertails.net/news/Sea-Eagles/tarnished-silvertails.html">Read the full article</a>
