Firstly this is not a pin it on DCE thread, as I see this an entire team thing including players, coaching staff and truth be known, even the fans feel a little down on vibe since the DCE saga came to light.
DCE has also copped plenty about his form and along with many team mates, much is deserved....but there comes a time to pick up the pieces knowing things in life change and adversity is part of this test....you either shrivel up or come back stronger....we shrivelled up.
But he is not alone in Manly's poor form and after starting the season in fine form, the team looked set for a good 2025.
Since then there's been a vibe of inconsistency, moments where the players look look uncommitted and this bond that we hear about is not apparent when the players are in the trenches....in fact they fold like deck chairs.
So many factors are involved, but the team looks flat, deflated, unconfident and the desire seems pretty much shot.
Everything from bad coaching, bad players, injuries and more have been thrown up the past 10 weeks or so, but the fact lingers, since the announcement of the inevidable DCE departure, the side has dropped of the map and are spiralling towards a battle for the spoon.
Is the DCE factor the key to this fall, or what else can explain just how badly the team has fallen apart ?
Keen to hear opinions on this....
