Where do you start with Manly?
The team everyone loves to hate just refuses to lay down. Long term injuries and a new coach couldn't change that, with the Sea Eagles (helped by the Hand of Foz) reaching the preliminary final in 2012.
There has been another turnover of players, the biggest of which would have to be Tony Williams who joined former coach Des Hasler over at Canterbury, but the club has managed to sign a few more-than-handy players of their own.
Manly's forward pack has been key to their success over recent years and that shouldn't change this year.
Led by captain Jason King, Manly's pack includes Brent Kite, Joe Galuvao, Matt Ballin, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, Jamie Buhrer, Justin Horo, Brenton Lawrence, Richie Fa'aoso, Vic Mauro and George Rose.
Add to that new signings in David Gower and Kayne Lawnton and the first issue that is exposed is a slight lack of depth.
Outside of the starting pack, there isn't too much experience, and that problem could rear its head as the season moves on. If more than two or three of the starting pack are injured at the same time then there could be some trouble ahead.
The fact the backline remains unchanged should help Manly's premiership charge.
Brett Stewart is the obvious incumbent for the fullback spot, and will only lose it through injury. Ben Farrar is waiting in the wings for when Stewart is missing from the lineup, but the difference in quality is massive. It's no coincidence that Manly's win rate crashes when Stewart isn't there.
The centre/wings remain the same as last year, with David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai and Jorge Taufua slotting in. There isn't too much noticeable competition following Michael Oldfield's move to the Roosters, with Farrar, Esi Tonga, Dane Chisholm and Michael Chee-Kam the next in line.
Nobody expected Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans to perform when they formed a rookie partnership a few years back. Now, the New Zealand representative and Australian benchwarmer are one of the more lethal combinations in the league.
Liam Foran has proved to be a more than worthy replacement if any of the halves get injured, but the Kieran and Cherry-Evans remain Manly's best chance at going all the way. If times get tough, Lyon has filled in at five-eighth and could easily do it again.
Manly: 1. Brett Stewart 2. David Williams 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. Jorge Taufua 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Jason King 9. Matt Balin 10. Brent Kite 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Jamie Buhrer 13. Glenn Stewart Interchange 14. Justin Horo 15. Brenton Lawrence 16. Joe Galuvao 17. Richie Fa'aoso
On the fringe: Ben Farrar, Liam Foran, George Rose, Vic Mauro, Michael Chee-Kam, Kayne Lawnton, David Gower
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