Rocky
Bencher
I keep hearing and reading that Manly is in a premiership window - usually because it is while DCE is still with us and playing at a high standard.
But the reality is that I can't see us beating the likes of Penrith and Melbourne when it comes to finals time in the next couple of years. We can pinpoint many reasons - no quality hooker, the need for a class prop and 13 etc...But for me, until the contracts of Turbo, Jake and DCE roll off, we won't be able to fill out the roster appropriately enough to win the whole thing.
That's why our premiership window will actually open in 2027. Sure, DCE will likely be gone, which is a huge loss. But Turbo should still be a prime contributor (likely in the centers or 5/8), and Jake will hopefully be good for a 30-minute prop role - but most importantly both will be paid probably half of what they are now. I'm sure they will do the right thing for the club when it comes to their next contract. That will allow us to buy another quality forward or two.
By 2027, the likes of Hopoate, Koula, Haumole, Saab, Garrick, Bully and Paseka will all be at their peak.
The final piece is that recently recruited youngsters such as the Large brothers, Joey Walsh, etc., will hopefully be able to contribute in key spine positions, much like in our last window when Foran and DCE burst on the scene as the fresh blood into an established team. 2027 may still be too early for some of those guys but you never know.
But the reality is that I can't see us beating the likes of Penrith and Melbourne when it comes to finals time in the next couple of years. We can pinpoint many reasons - no quality hooker, the need for a class prop and 13 etc...But for me, until the contracts of Turbo, Jake and DCE roll off, we won't be able to fill out the roster appropriately enough to win the whole thing.
That's why our premiership window will actually open in 2027. Sure, DCE will likely be gone, which is a huge loss. But Turbo should still be a prime contributor (likely in the centers or 5/8), and Jake will hopefully be good for a 30-minute prop role - but most importantly both will be paid probably half of what they are now. I'm sure they will do the right thing for the club when it comes to their next contract. That will allow us to buy another quality forward or two.
By 2027, the likes of Hopoate, Koula, Haumole, Saab, Garrick, Bully and Paseka will all be at their peak.
The final piece is that recently recruited youngsters such as the Large brothers, Joey Walsh, etc., will hopefully be able to contribute in key spine positions, much like in our last window when Foran and DCE burst on the scene as the fresh blood into an established team. 2027 may still be too early for some of those guys but you never know.
