As the history of events morphs transmutes and generally undergoes revision as our memories dim, I just spent 10 minutes to remind myself (and us!) of what the Dickens went on in 2015 and why we were all so, er, thunderstruck.
Obviously some of the following were a long time in the pipeline before announced - nevertheless ...
Here is my time lion!
18 Feb 2015 – Matai signed - Steve Matai will finish his career as a one-club man after re-signing with Manly until the end of 2017. ... "We identified Steve as a really important part of our retention strategy this season," said Manly CEO Joe Kelly. ... Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey added: "It's wonderful news
5 Mar 2015 – Cherry offer withdrawn - Manly have withdrawn their offer to Daly Cherry-Evans after the Kangaroos halfback failed to meet a Monday deadline to commit to the club
6 Mar 2015 - Cherry signs with Titans - Daly Cherry-Evans has signed with the Gold Coast Titans on a three year deal
16 Mar 2015 – Foran signs with Eels - Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran has signed with the Parramatta Eels from 2016 it was announced by the Sea Eagles on Monday.
2 Apr 2015 - Matt Ballin signs - has re-signed with Manly on a new two-year deal until the end of 2017.
28 April 2915 – Gutho and Turbos sign -MANLY have announced the re-signings of exciting brothers Jake and Tom Trbojevic along with fellow young gun Clinton Gutherson. Outside back Gutherson, who will spend the rest of 2015 on the sideline after suffering a serious knee injury in round one, has signed on until the end of 2017.
12 May 2015 – Myles signs - Queensland and Test prop Nate Myles has signed a three-year deal to play with the Manly Sea Eagles from 2016.
3 June 2015 - Cherry backflips - Cherry-Evans re-signed an 8-year contract with the Sea Eagles, biggest contract signed in rugby league's 107-year history, after backflipping on Titans.
20 Jun 2015 – Brown signs - Penrith forward Lewis Brown will leave the Panthers at the end of the season after signing a three-year deal with the Manly Sea Eagles
21 July 2015 –mass cleanout announced- MANLY are set for mass player clean-out with 14 players reportedly told they are not wanted for next season.
28 July 2015 – Toovey sacking announced - The club yesterday announced it would replace Toovey with Penrith assistant coach Trent Barrett at the end of the season. Toovey had been contracted until the end of the 2016 season.
31 July 2015 - Ballin unwanted - MATT Ballin has confirmed he is one of the 14 players reported to be out of favour at Manly, but says he’s not going anywhere
28 Aug 2015 – Brett Stewart signed - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles is pleased to announce the contract extension of dynamic full-back Brett Stewart for a further one-year. Off contract at the end of 2016, Stewart is now secured to the Sea Eagles until the end of the 2017 season
Sep 28, 2015 – Gutho released - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have today finalised the release of Clinton Gutherson. The full-back/winger was contracted for the 2016 and 2017
30 Oct 2015 – Taupau signs - Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have today secured arguably the best forward in rugby league with the signing of New Zealand international Martin Taupau on a 4 year deal from 2016
2 Nov 2015 – Ballin released - MANLY hooker Matt Ballin has officially been released from his contract after 217 games and 11 years at the Sea Eagles
9 Dec 2015 – Hiku released -Manly Warringah Sea Eagles have today released Peta Hiku from the final two years of his contract
17 Dec 2015 – Walker signs - Manly have officially confirmed the signing of Dylan Walker from South Sydney with the NSW representative inking a four-year contract