Why I Think Manly Will Never Compete Long-Term Again

[lsz]

The salary cap era has been replaced by the third party agreements. It is a scourge on the game as it really relies on the ingenuity & network of the owners. Politis is the king when it comes to third party persuasion.

Very much so another area where arguably since Max D left the business we have not really competed

 

[Eagle 1]

The salary cap era has been replaced by the third party agreements. It is a scourge on the game as it really relies on the ingenuity & network of the owners. Politis is the king when it comes to third party persuasion.

The question has to be asked, how much $'s has Politis got. He's a very generous benefactor, I wonder how much patience he's got, it's been a long while since they won a comp. Very similar to us actually.

 

[Thomoeagle]

The question has to be asked, how much $'s has Politis got. He's a very generous benefactor, I wonder how much patience he's got, it's been a long while since they won a comp. Very similar to us actually.

Pretty sure they won in 2018 and 19

 

[silvereagle]

The issue is the game has moved on in the past 10 years and we have not

Agreed. That however has nothing to do with overall funding or owner investment. More to do with the quality of our management, coaching and decision making. Just like in corporate land, there are smart organisations....and the not-so-smart. We have tended to gravitate towards the latter category and consequently suffered from poor results and disappointment. That is about to change hopefully for the better hence my optimism for the future.

 

[Bloke on the hill]

From the hill 40yrs ago, the game was about 'get the ball & run' now the games about 'get the money & run'.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

From the hill 40yrs ago, the game was about 'get the ball & run' now the games about 'get the money & run'.

It’s become a “ show me they money “ game.

Great to have juniors , and you might get lucky with a few but most will choose the biggest offer every time.

 

[Phobia]

I think the club is directly linked to how the Northern Beaches is going. We were once the cultural epicentre of Australia. Now, both are retirement homes, with absolutely nothing going on anymore.

The club also reflects the demographics. As house prices will literally never fall again here, the younger Northern Beaches DNA, that once bred the Beavers of the world, will move out west. That includes myself. I'm doing very well for myself, but I'll never get a stake here on my own. It's unfortunate, but it is reality. Hence I'm getting to know Western Sydney quite well.

The familial culture that produces modern NRL players cannot afford to raise a family here anymore. All else considered, you still need the right demographics, to maintain a quality junior development system.

It's not coincidental that the Panthers have just recently produced one of the greatest home-grown teams ever. That's where the young people, the working class, and the immigrants have gone. They are now the heartland of rugby league.

In comparison, the ones who can afford to raise a family here, are North Shore expats, turned off by the Bears being kicked, who will not subject their precious children to the ugly working class concussion game.

Say what you want about a train line, if it brought in people from Western Sydney, Manly would be playing a lot ****ing better!

 

[Bloke on the hill]

It’s become a “ show me they money “ game.

Great to have juniors , and you might get lucky with a few but most will choose the biggest offer every time.

Hi Mark
It's always seemed that a lot of the good young footy players on the northern beaches stop playing footy at a certain age & do other things ( surf, sail, etc ) where as many juniors in other areas keep playing as less things to do. Unfortunately that doesn't help Manly!

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

Hi Mark
It's always seemed that a lot of the good young footy players on the northern beaches stop playing footy at a certain age & do other things ( surf, sail, etc ) where as many juniors in other areas keep playing as less things to do. Unfortunately that doesn't help Manly!

Yes a good point that

 

[lsz]

Agreed. That however has nothing to do with overall funding or owner investment. More to do with the quality of our management, coaching and decision making. Just like in corporate land, there are smart organisations....and the not-so-smart. We have tended to gravitate towards the latter category and consequently suffered from poor results and disappointment. That is about to change hopefully for the better hence my optimism for the future.

This is where I will respectfully agree to disagree.

While I do not disagree over the poor decisions there are a number of funding options that have been taken which show to me that the Penn family, as is their right, will only invest to a certain point.

Again this is their choice and a credit to their long term decision making and risk taken when they first got on board

 

[Brookie1973]

The question has to be asked, how much $'s has Politis got. He's a very generous benefactor, I wonder how much patience he's got, it's been a long while since they won a comp. Very similar to us actually.

$2.58 billion net worth.

 

[double hoops]

I think the club is directly linked to how the Northern Beaches is going. We were once the cultural epicentre of Australia. Now, both are retirement homes, with absolutely nothing going on anymore.

The club also reflects the demographics. As house prices will literally never fall again here, the younger Northern Beaches DNA, that once bred the Beavers of the world, will move out west. That includes myself. I'm doing very well for myself, but I'll never get a stake here on my own. It's unfortunate, but it is reality. Hence I'm getting to know Western Sydney quite well.

The familial culture that produces modern NRL players cannot afford to raise a family here anymore. All else considered, you still need the right demographics, to maintain a quality junior development system.

It's not coincidental that the Panthers have just recently produced one of the greatest home-grown teams ever. That's where the young people, the working class, and the immigrants have gone. They are now the heartland of rugby league.

In comparison, the ones who can afford to raise a family here, are North Shore expats, turned off by the Bears being kicked, who will not subject their precious children to the ugly working class concussion game.

Say what you want about a train line, if it brought in people from Western Sydney, Manly would be playing a lot ****ing better!

Be easier to Move the Sea Eagles than move West Sydney to Manly. The Western Sydney Sea Eagles has a nice ring to it.

And I'm not even sure if Manly and the West tigers are different entities these days. Such the level of trade. And I hear Campbelltown might be looking for a new team to play games at there stadium too.

 

[eaglebuzz]

I've been avoiding replying to this thread because I'm waiting for it to drop off the front page, because it's just depressing.

But in reality we have only won about one premiership per decade, I still think that is a real possibility before the 2020's are over, and am actually quite encouraged by the recruitment we have done over the past few weeks.

Between bad luck and bad management we have squandered the last decade but most of our problems are repairable. We can remain competitive, and I hope and pray we do!

 

[Ned]

May be a big call, but Imo with the advantage theve had (pre Phins) the Brisbane Broncos are arguably the most underperforming team in Australian professional sports history. They should have won another 5 or more premierships. No other team in Australian professional sport has had the advantages they’ve had.

the slime gotta be in the mix for that award

 

[silvereagle]

This is where I will respectfully agree to disagree.

While I do not disagree over the poor decisions there are a number of funding options that have been taken which show to me that the Penn family, as is their right, will only invest to a certain point.

Again this is their choice and a credit to their long term decision making and risk taken when they first got on board

Yes would be nice Isz if we had a more benevolent benefactor to sweeten the 3rd party pot(s). But sadly I don't think that is or will be the case in the short / intermediate term. Even more reason we have to be a lot smarter with our available funds and recruitment decisions.

 

[lsz]

Yes would be nice Isz if we had a more benevolent benefactor to sweeten the 3rd party pot(s). But sadly I don't think that is or will be the case in the short / intermediate term. Even more reason we have to be a lot smarter with our available funds and recruitment decisions.

Agree on that which is why I think we will have the odd good year but we will not have sustained success under the current model (which is not the same as jagging a prem one year then going to tigers route...which to be fair I would almost take!)

 

[manly al]

Not sure if the Penns are actually making much at all with their current 62 % stake in the club .
Also taking into account that not inconsiderable main staffing [ and support ] operating with the operational side now .
Still curious what role or input those two part owners with that 15 % stake have had or have after many years now with that part ownership share .
Sides like the Bulldogs have done quite well in recent seasons with some budget buys and acquisitions so not entirely related to a wealthy supporter on the scene no but no doubt helps in some limited way . 3 R D party deals also no doubt could be an advantage factor to some degree but would not say a make or break influence in terms of enhancing premiership prospects on a long term basis
Even sides like the Broncs , Panthers and Storm have had to shed quality and high profile players for many years now but their advantage is that they have been able to come up with good level replacements or money ball emerging players who have been able to step up fairly promptly
Sure , a big advantage having a big or well sourced junior development system but that does not also mean some continued or assured success either .
Just see how things go for Manly when Turbo 's and Jake 's contract value comes back not insignificantly and D C E "s savings come into play .
Other upgrades required as well going forward but just plain unlucky previously also when for instance , was not able to compensate sufficiently the loss of A F B and again the lacking in value for Turbo , Jake and in overall terms when all is said and done , D C E for some time now

 

[Chunkytuna]

I don’t think money is everything when it comes to winning premierships. Take our most recent successful run - 2007-2013. Those years we weren’t flushed with money. We were working out of Narrabeen on a pretty slim budget. But we had the players. Not all local homegrowns either. MOST IMPORTANTLY we had the right mentality! As Snake said in that interview posted to socials in the last couple of days, his one word to describe Manly in those days - “Ruthless”. If we can somehow build that mentality back into this team then that will go far further to wining us a premiership than any amount of money.

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

I don’t think money is everything when it comes to winning premierships. Take our most recent successful run - 2007-2013. Those years we weren’t flushed with money. We were working out of Narrabeen on a pretty slim budget. But we had the players. Not all local homegrowns either. MOST IMPORTANTLY we had the right mentality! As Snake said in that interview posted to socials in the last couple of days, his one word to describe Manly in those days - “Ruthless”. If we can somehow build that mentality back into this team then that will go far further to wining us a premiership than any amount of money.

But that’s when players weren’t all about

“ show me the money “

These are different times

 

[parala]

I think we've got the most promising young guys in the comp with names like Lehi, Walsh, Navale, etc. The move away from Blacktown will also help with development. We've just got to hang onto them now.