Why I Think Manly Will Never Compete Long-Term Again

[lsz]

Sure there will be seasons where we bubble up but I really think under the current plans Manly will not be a long term threat like we were in the previous "golden" eara

I’m going to put it simply: let’s compare Manly to the Bulldogs.

Paul Kent mentioned in a podcast that the Bulldogs spend over $5 million a year just on their junior pathways and kids’ programs. I did some digging, and from what I found, it’s pretty compelling.

Let’s just look at kids’ footy and registration costs...all public info, so take it with a pinch of salt.

The Bulldogs actually subsidise their registration fees, which is a big deal now that the Active Kids voucher has stopped for most people. Here’s a link showing their subsidised junior registrations for 2025:
Subsidised Junior Registrations Open for 2025 CBDJRL Season!

For example, the Bankstown Bulls JRLFC charges either $50 or even nothing if you qualify for the Active Kids voucher.

What you get with Bulldogs:

• Jersey
• Training shirt
• Shorts
• Socks
• Cap
• NRL Season Pass
• Bulldogs home game membership
• Gala day
• Trophy
• Presentation day

Compare that to Manly Brothers RLFC:

• Player’s jersey (which remains property of the club)
• Training jersey
• Shorts
• Socks
• District team registration fee
• Presentation day

With the salary cap era meaning you can’t just buy a premiership, you can see how Manly will struggle without a similar investment in juniors and pathways.

 

[Andyvb88]

I agree manly need to invest more in grass roots but in terms of buying a premiership, of the dogs top 17 how many are actually juniors 1 -3 maybe

 

[Brookie1973]

Sure there will be seasons where we bubble up but I really think under the current plans Manly will not be a long term threat like we were in the previous "golden" eara

I’m going to put it simply: let’s compare Manly to the Bulldogs.

Paul Kent mentioned in a podcast that the Bulldogs spend over $5 million a year just on their junior pathways and kids’ programs. I did some digging, and from what I found, it’s pretty compelling.

Let’s just look at kids’ footy and registration costs...all public info, so take it with a pinch of salt.

The Bulldogs actually subsidise their registration fees, which is a big deal now that the Active Kids voucher has stopped for most people. Here’s a link showing their subsidised junior registrations for 2025:
Subsidised Junior Registrations Open for 2025 CBDJRL Season!

For example, the Bankstown Bulls JRLFC charges either $50 or even nothing if you qualify for the Active Kids voucher.

What you get with Bulldogs:

• Jersey
• Training shirt
• Shorts
• Socks
• Cap
• NRL Season Pass
• Bulldogs home game membership
• Gala day
• Trophy
• Presentation day

Compare that to Manly Brothers RLFC:

• Player’s jersey (which remains property of the club)
• Training jersey
• Shorts
• Socks
• District team registration fee
• Presentation day

With the salary cap era meaning you can’t just buy a premiership, you can see how Manly will struggle without a similar investment in juniors and pathways.

Hard to argue. And it’s also a function of demographics. Small junior catchment and cost of living must make Manly a hard sell to young talent. As I have said elsewhere, the only solution appears to be a rich Saudi prince who loves Rugby League, or the club going hard on Manly DNA.

 

[Woodsie]

Good post ... hold on ... did you say you listened to Kenty ....

Perhaps in the interests of Silvertails fragile mental health ... you should slightly amend your title to include the words .. "won't ever compete again, until we have ownership wealthy enough to invest in pathways"

Give the punters some hope to cling to ..

 

[Woodsie]

In the 34 completed seasons since the introduction of the salary cap ... Manly have made the finals on 22 occasions ... or 64% of the time ..

Playing in 7 Grand finals ... winning 3 ...

Granted the past decade has been sketchy ... with only 3 finals appearances ..

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Sadly we are starting to mirror the English Super League , in reality only 3 or 4 teams are ever going to win , the rest, just there to make up the numbers.

Let’s take our “ big 4”

Panthers , super rich from the biggest sporting club in the Australia , bottomless pit of money , and a massive junior nursery. Going to be up there for a very long time.

Broncos , majority owned by News Ltd, the most sponsors of any of the NRL clubs , and let’s face it , it’s Brisbane , almost a 1 city 1 team environment ( yes there’s the Dolphins but that’s a different area ).

Melbourne , another News Ltd club , 1 city , 1 team , very very professional run , no juniors but buy the best of the QLD talent as let’s face it , they are a QLD side transplanted in Victoria.

Roosters , enough said , the richest of all backed by a who’s who of Australian industry, virtually no juniors but when you have a Sombrero you don’t need them.

And we could almost say , “ a big 5”

Bulldogs , the new kid on the block , all because of an uber rich sponsor.

Now compare the above 5 to the rest !!

We are there to make up the numbers , I’m really not expecting to see major success before I die , sad but it’s fact.

We can whinge , bitch , complain , argue , talk about the past , sack coaches , complain some more BUT until we ,

Inherit a hugely rich benefactor who doesn’t care about the money.

Get a purpose built , 25,000 seat stadium so that said rich benefactor can get some sort of return on his investment.

We aren’t doing any more than JACK ****!!

 

[Woodsie]

Other fun fcts ... since 1990 when the cap was introduced .. the most successful clubs have been ..

Penrith and bronco's .. both with 5 premierships ... both with huge nurseries ... and both with plenty of cash ... but given the richest club the Broncos haven't won for 19 years ... money may not be the major factor ...

Then Storm with 4 wins ... plenty of coin ... and external nurseries ?

also on 4 wins the Roosters ... rich owner .. small nursery .... perhaps good management the key ..

Then Manly with 3 wins ... no money ... small nursery ... but with the hearts of Lions ...

 

[The '47ers]

Other fun fcts ... since 1990 when the cap was introduced .. the most successful clubs have been ..

Penrith and bronco's .. both with 5 premierships ... both with huge nurseries ... and both with plenty of cash ... but given the richest club the Broncos haven't won for 19 years ... money may not be the major factor ...

Then Storm with 4 wins ... plenty of coin ... and external nurseries ?

also on 4 wins the Roosters ... rich owner .. small nursery .... perhaps good management the key ..

Then Manly with 3 wins ... no money ... small nursery ... but with the hearts of Lions ...

Unfortunately Lions die, but money will keep flowing for the others

 

[mave]

Sadly we are starting to mirror the English Super League , in reality only 3 or 4 teams are ever going to win , the rest, just there to make up the numbers.

Let’s take our “ big 4”

Panthers , super rich from the biggest sporting club in the Australia , bottomless pit of money , and a massive junior nursery. Going to be up there for a very long time.

Broncos , majority owned by News Ltd, the most sponsors of any of the NRL clubs , and let’s face it , it’s Brisbane , almost a 1 city 1 team environment ( yes there’s the Dolphins but that’s a different area ).

Melbourne , another News Ltd club , 1 city , 1 team , very very professional run , no juniors but buy the best of the QLD talent as let’s face it , they are a QLD side transplanted in Victoria.

Roosters , enough said , the richest of all backed by a who’s who of Australian industry, virtually no juniors but when you have a Sombrero you don’t need them.

And we could almost say , “ a big 5”

Bulldogs , the new kid on the block , all because of an uber rich sponsor.

Now compare the above 5 to the rest !!

We are there to make up the numbers , I’m really not expecting to see major success before I die , sad but it’s fact.

We can whinge , bitch , complain , argue , talk about the past , sack coaches , complain some more BUT until we ,

Inherit a hugely rich benefactor who doesn’t care about the money.

Get a purpose built , 25,000 seat stadium so that said rich benefactor can get some sort of return on his investment.

We aren’t doing any more than JACK ****!!

Our illustrious owner has made a huge return on previous investment, and continues to do so year on year.

The NRL grant more than covers the cap these days.

 

[Tomay]

Let them play juniors at Bankstown and then bring the good ones to live in gods country by the beach.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

Could Penn not easily sell half his stake in order to bring in another cashed up private owner, thus increasing Manly's financial clout?
Is it his desire to maintain sole control that's stopping this? Or something else?

 

[Disco]

Sure there will be seasons where we bubble up but I really think under the current plans Manly will not be a long term threat like we were in the previous "golden" eara

I’m going to put it simply: let’s compare Manly to the Bulldogs.

Paul Kent mentioned in a podcast that the Bulldogs spend over $5 million a year just on their junior pathways and kids’ programs. I did some digging, and from what I found, it’s pretty compelling.

Let’s just look at kids’ footy and registration costs...all public info, so take it with a pinch of salt.

The Bulldogs actually subsidise their registration fees, which is a big deal now that the Active Kids voucher has stopped for most people. Here’s a link showing their subsidised junior registrations for 2025:
Subsidised Junior Registrations Open for 2025 CBDJRL Season!

For example, the Bankstown Bulls JRLFC charges either $50 or even nothing if you qualify for the Active Kids voucher.

What you get with Bulldogs:

• Jersey
• Training shirt
• Shorts
• Socks
• Cap
• NRL Season Pass
• Bulldogs home game membership
• Gala day
• Trophy
• Presentation day

Compare that to Manly Brothers RLFC:

• Player’s jersey (which remains property of the club)
• Training jersey
• Shorts
• Socks
• District team registration fee
• Presentation day

With the salary cap era meaning you can’t just buy a premiership, you can see how Manly will struggle without a similar investment in juniors and pathways.

When was the last Bulldogs premiership?

04?

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Could Penn not easily sell half his stake in order to bring in another cashed up private owner, thus increasing Manly's financial clout?
Is it his desire to maintain sole control that's stopping this? Or something else?

He wants the whole shebang , remember he WAS a half owner at one point.

 

[SeaEagleRock8]

He wants the whole shebang , remember he WAS a half owner at one point.

Yes that's what I assume too. But if he isn't rich or interested enough to beef up our footy operation, including juniors, why not share the glory with other co-owners. Yes there were arguments but also 2 premierships

 

[Disco]

Sadly we are starting to mirror the English Super League , in reality only 3 or 4 teams are ever going to win , the rest, just there to make up the numbers.

Let’s take our “ big 4”

Panthers , super rich from the biggest sporting club in the Australia , bottomless pit of money , and a massive junior nursery. Going to be up there for a very long time.

Broncos , majority owned by News Ltd, the most sponsors of any of the NRL clubs , and let’s face it , it’s Brisbane , almost a 1 city 1 team environment ( yes there’s the Dolphins but that’s a different area ).

Melbourne , another News Ltd club , 1 city , 1 team , very very professional run , no juniors but buy the best of the QLD talent as let’s face it , they are a QLD side transplanted in Victoria.

Roosters , enough said , the richest of all backed by a who’s who of Australian industry, virtually no juniors but when you have a Sombrero you don’t need them.

And we could almost say , “ a big 5”

Bulldogs , the new kid on the block , all because of an uber rich sponsor.

Now compare the above 5 to the rest !!

We are there to make up the numbers , I’m really not expecting to see major success before I die , sad but it’s fact.

We can whinge , bitch , complain , argue , talk about the past , sack coaches , complain some more BUT until we ,

Inherit a hugely rich benefactor who doesn’t care about the money.

Get a purpose built , 25,000 seat stadium so that said rich benefactor can get some sort of return on his investment.

We aren’t doing any more than JACK ****!!

Big 5?

Broncos last title was 2006, Bulldogs 2004.

Roosters and Melbourne have 3 titles each the last 20 years we have 2.

5 teams outside the "Big 5" have won titles since the Broncos last title and 8 teams in total.

That is 6 and 9 for the Bulldogs.

Heck the Tigers have won a comp more recently that the Dogs.

 

[double hoops]

I agree manly need to invest more in grass roots but in terms of buying a premiership, of the dogs top 17 how many are actually juniors 1 -3 maybe

That's now. But Dogs could easily have 5 premierships in a row if they are being set up for long term success, juniors knocking the door down from the bottom. Aka Penrith. Win comp replace over priced star with cheaper kid who are the cream of the crop and you developed. And they are buying better talent in the lower tiers.

Manly has neither the $$$$$ buying power to buy current premiership winners, or the $$$$ for the kids. Third party deals anyone.

 

[madmax]

Sure there will be seasons where we bubble up but I really think under the current plans Manly will not be a long term threat like we were in the previous "golden" eara

I’m going to put it simply: let’s compare Manly to the Bulldogs.

Paul Kent mentioned in a podcast that the Bulldogs spend over $5 million a year just on their junior pathways and kids’ programs. I did some digging, and from what I found, it’s pretty compelling.

Let’s just look at kids’ footy and registration costs...all public info, so take it with a pinch of salt.

The Bulldogs actually subsidise their registration fees, which is a big deal now that the Active Kids voucher has stopped for most people. Here’s a link showing their subsidised junior registrations for 2025:
Subsidised Junior Registrations Open for 2025 CBDJRL Season!

For example, the Bankstown Bulls JRLFC charges either $50 or even nothing if you qualify for the Active Kids voucher.

What you get with Bulldogs:

• Jersey
• Training shirt
• Shorts
• Socks
• Cap
• NRL Season Pass
• Bulldogs home game membership
• Gala day
• Trophy
• Presentation day

Compare that to Manly Brothers RLFC:

• Player’s jersey (which remains property of the club)
• Training jersey
• Shorts
• Socks
• District team registration fee
• Presentation day

With the salary cap era meaning you can’t just buy a premiership, you can see how Manly will struggle without a similar investment in juniors and pathways.

Ummm check how many juniors are in the Bulldogs 1st Grade Squad!!! Looks to me that the Bulldogs are actually buying a premiership. So much for their junior pathways??

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Big 5?

Broncos last title was 2006, Bulldogs 2004.

Roosters and Melbourne have 3 titles each the last 20 years we have 2.

5 teams outside the "Big 5" have won titles since the Broncos last title and 8 teams in total.

That is 6 and 9 for the Bulldogs.

Heck the Tigers have won a comp more recently that the Dogs.

Im not really talking about “ the past “ rather how I see the situation right now.

If you go back 20 years the Panthers had only won 1 title , I’m referring to the here & now.

 

[Disco]

Im not really talking about “ the past “ rather how I see the situation right now.

If you go back 20 years the Panthers had only won 1 title , I’m referring to the here & now.

So the Broncos have always had the biggest nursery and the most money.

Why are they suddenly going to start doninating?

 

[ManlyTragic]

Sure there will be seasons where we bubble up but I really think under the current plans Manly will not be a long term threat like we were in the previous "golden" eara

I’m going to put it simply: let’s compare Manly to the Bulldogs.

Paul Kent mentioned in a podcast that the Bulldogs spend over $5 million a year just on their junior pathways and kids’ programs. I did some digging, and from what I found, it’s pretty compelling.

Let’s just look at kids’ footy and registration costs...all public info, so take it with a pinch of salt.

The Bulldogs actually subsidise their registration fees, which is a big deal now that the Active Kids voucher has stopped for most people. Here’s a link showing their subsidised junior registrations for 2025:
Subsidised Junior Registrations Open for 2025 CBDJRL Season!

For example, the Bankstown Bulls JRLFC charges either $50 or even nothing if you qualify for the Active Kids voucher.

What you get with Bulldogs:

• Jersey
• Training shirt
• Shorts
• Socks
• Cap
• NRL Season Pass
• Bulldogs home game membership
• Gala day
• Trophy
• Presentation day

Compare that to Manly Brothers RLFC:

• Player’s jersey (which remains property of the club)
• Training jersey
• Shorts
• Socks
• District team registration fee
• Presentation day

With the salary cap era meaning you can’t just buy a premiership, you can see how Manly will struggle without a similar investment in juniors and pathways.

… nothing new here … we have been like this since pre northern eagles!

Just sayin