The premiership window

[Mitch]

I honestly could not be any prouder of our team. Their efforts this year, overcoming injury and adversity have been remarkable.

With this team, the talent coming through and coach I think we can go to another level in 2020.

I know ‘the premiership window’ is often mentioned in our game and with what we have done this year, which Des will no doubt again build on next year, are we about to enter this phase?

 

[susan]

It’s open baby. Wide f...ing open. And we are going to climb straight through it fired by a hatred of what Sutton did last night. That weasel will fire the fury of Manly players for years to come.

You add Thommo Sirro TT Hoppa Schuster Ben T Funa and co to the boys who donned our famous colours so proudly last night , mix in a super coach and you have a DYNASTY heading our way in the next few years.

 

[SeaEagle21]

I remember during a particular press conference, think it was against the Roosters? Des was asked if this was a rebuilding yr? He said no, we have the players to challenge for the premiership this yr....

At the time i thought what is he on about, but Des knew. In all honesty last night showed how right he was and given the potential path to the GF it could have been right.

Full salary cap back in play next yr and a couple more signings and we are in the mix. Also the confidence and belief that the players would have gained by seeing what Des put them through yields return means they'll go to another level in 2020.

Still filthy this morning about the result but not because of the players, club or coach....they restored pride back in the jersey and have given us a team that looks happy.

They've earnt their break and bring on 2020

 

[Waz13]

Man was just thinking if TT plays last night we destroy them. Imagine him sniffing around the middle amongst all those offloads. What could have been........

 

[Cioran]

I was despondent at the start of the off season last year. We were far and away the worst team in the comp in 2018 and only luck saved us from the spoon. I expected the team to either fold or finish on the bottom in 2019. Then Des came back and pretty quickly brought some of our favourite players from the golden years back into the fold. Players who disappointed in 2018 were training harder, looking fitter and starting to build into a team. The world was a rosier place. All this year that improvement has continued. I go into this off season with a smile on my face, optimism, confidence in the boys and the coaching staff and hunger for next year to kick off. It’s a great feeling.

 

[eagle66]

After the 2007 GF, Des Hasler went back to work on the night of that GF. Pestered his video analyst. I am guessing his 2020 season has already started.

 

[Waz13]

After the 2007 GF, Des Hasler went back to work on the night of that GF. Pestered his video analyst. I am guessing his 2020 season has already started.

Yep was thinking the same thing. He’d be at narrabeen now I reckon.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

One thing I have picked up on over the last two weeks is that Thurston appears to have developed a new-found respect for DCE.

Plus apart from perennial oddball Fittler, Johns, Thurston and of course Vautin all thought Manly-Warringah were dudded by poor refereeing and we’re the better team throughout.

Clearly they were more enterprising than Souths, who played to Bennett’s dull, percentage style of football - despite Souths’ surfeit of good attacking players.

 

[Cameron]

One thing I have picked up on over the last two weeks is that Thurston appears to have developed a new-found respect for DCE.

Plus apart from perennial oddball Fittler, Johns, Thurston and of course Vautin all thought Manly-Warringah were dudded by poor refereeing and we’re the better team throughout.

Clearly they were more enterprising than Souths, who played to Bennett’s dull, percentage style of football - despite Souths’ surfeit of good attacking players.

I’ve got fox so normally just watch them but the last couple of weeks have watched 9 and the seemed to be using fatty more and more. I think he’s one of the best. He might be a clown but he’s got a great footy brain and is manly to the core.

 

[yokahontas]

I’ve got fox so normally just watch them but the last couple of weeks have watched 9 and the seemed to be using fatty more and more. I think he’s one of the best. He might be a clown but he’s got a great footy brain and is manly to the core.

His style of ‘clown’ actually brings something to the commentary - when he referred to Jake as the second-best lock forward to ever play for Manly, for example. There’s a subtlety and cleverness to Fatty that the others don’t have.

 

[ellakasmar]

I just want it to be March already now lol! It was such a fun season this year, bring it on

 

[Chip and Chase]

Got to hand it to des he has worked wonders with this squad.

 

[Scorpio]

No off-season drama this year please.

If we stay largely injury and suspension free, we win in 2020.

 

[The better Robbo]

Yes our window is now. With a bit of luck with injuries we will be a top 4 side and a genuine title contender for the next 4 to 5 years and maybe beyond. The time is now! That loss last night will hurt but the boys go into the pre season with a real belief and a very much settled squad. The young guns will only improve as will the rest of the squad. We showed we are a big game team and will only get better and it would be an underachievement if this squad doesn't win i premiership in the next few years

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

I just want it to be March already now lol! It was such a fun season this year, bring it on

Haha yes, although we have a lot of players held together with string and sticky tape, they could use the break!

Undoubtedly what they have achieved this year will be fantastic inspiration for our players to get themselves fit and right. They can't help but now know they have a premiership window wide open with a clear view to a premiership victory.
With that knowledge they will be massively motivated to rip in during off-season (after attending to their various surgeries etc!!) and bingo, top 4 here we come.

 

[Nuttybott]

he referred to Jake as the second-best lock forward to ever play for Manly, for example.

Second-best behind Malcolm Reilly, I assume he meant?

 

[yokahontas]

Second-best behind Malcolm Reilly, I assume he meant?

I’m sure that’s what he meant!

 

[Pittwater Legend]

The premiership window is definitely open. In fact I think the elusive minor premiership could also be ours within the next few years. We have a lot of great young talent with so much potential left to tap into

 

[eagerbeaver]

Current state of the squad going into 2020:

-Equal best fullback in NRL
-Best halfback in NRL
-Best up and coming centre (Suli)
-Best up and coming hooker (Fainu)
-Best prop (Fonua-Blake)
-Best forward depth (considering Gosiewski, Wadell, Keppie, Sipley, Boyle, Perrett, Paseka and Gauc all vying for bench spots)

It sure looks a promising few years ahead..

 

[eaglebuzz]

Current state of the squad going into 2020:

-Equal best fullback in NRL
-Best halfback in NRL
-Best up and coming centre (Suli)
-Best up and coming hooker (Fainu)
-Best prop (Fonua-Blake)
-Best forward depth (considering Gosiewski, Wadell, Keppie, Sipley, Boyle, Perrett, Paseka and Gauc all vying for bench spots)

It sure looks a promising few years ahead..

The best thing about that is that we are getting so much value out of players like Parker, Garrick, Suli, Waddell etc that we will actually have some great depth next year!