Further to my post earlier, here is my step-by-step solution to everything:
(1) Clear out the dead wood - La(m)e, Tapoo, U a tame, Dogko, Ferret, Crankystein, M Wrong, etc. Build a team around popCherry, Trobjs, little rabbit Walker (if he wants to stay), Tau-fooey (as a bench forward), and "the rock" Thompson.
(2) Sign juniors to longer term contracts (Fast and tall guys from Penrith, Warriors, Storm juniors start there) with modest base contracts with built-in incentives with team performance to take care of deserved contract increases
(3) Make them declare "Manly or bust" to the tune of "Rock or Bust" and buy in to a siege mentality by doing a lap of Brookvale naked with the "Guess What, Manly hates you too" sign.
(4) Watch them bloom, and watch them create a new Manly to be hated again.
(4a) Anyone who fails to develop or becomes redundant has clauses in to seek a better deal with a pre-defined payout. Agents can then stick their "no training" clauses up their arses.
By 2020 a new Manly will rise. Premiership by 2022.
The only problem I see with this plan is that our club is surrounded by too many egos who cannot stand the thought to admit this rebuild was an abject fail. It's like a siege of a siege.
NYEagle