Manly 2024 preview: Everything lives and dies on Turbo (and his injuries)

As is always the case for the Manly Sea Eagles these days, everything rests on Tom Trbojevic’s shoulders, especially considering Daly Cherry-Evans is getting on and Luke Brooks is far from a marquee pickup.

Here’s the most damning stat: without Turbo, the Sea Eagles win 45 percent of games. Add him back in and that springs up to 65.

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Just look at the year he was firing on all cylinders and (barely) dodged injury. 2021 was one of the most glorious individual years we’ve ever seen from a player and Manly rode the Trbojevic magic all the way to a preliminary final. When injuries prevail, like the years before and after, it’s grim reading.

Last year’s finish: Eleventh, 11 wins, one draw, and 12 losses

Last ten NRL campaigns: 11th, 11th, 4th (prelim), 13th, 6th (semi), 15th, 6th (qualifying), 13th, 9th, 2nd (semi)

Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Tom Trbojevic
2. Jaxson Paulo
3. Reuben Garrick
4. Tolu Koula
5. Jason Saab
6. Luke Brooks
7. Daly Cherry-Evans
8. Josh Aloiai
9. Lachlan Croker
10. Taniela Paseka
11. Haumole Olakau’atu
12. Josh Schuster
13. Jake Trbojevic
14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong
15. Toafofoa Sipley
16. Ethan Bullemor
17. Ben Trbojevic

Coach: Anthony Seibold

Biggest losses: Sean Keppie, Kaeo Weekes Biggest gains: Luke Brooks, Nathan Brown, Jaxson Paulo

How 2024 is looking for Manly

While everything (rightfully) rests on Turbo’s shoulders and how DCE can keep up as he continues to tick over years on the calendar, the biggest question mark Manly will be facing is around their high-profile signing, Luke Brooks.

Many have argued over the years that Brooks and his bang-average footy play is the reason the Tigers have been languishing out of finals for so long, and now he has the chance to prove everyone wrong. The Sea Eagles need someone to help Cherry-Evans run the show if Trbojevic goes down and Brooks could be that man. The Sporting Base definitely doesn’t think so, but stranger things have happened.

Instead, watch the Sea Eagles come close to finals. Maybe worse if they have to patch over a Trbojevic again. All Manly eyes will be on those Turbo hammies.

Predicted 2024 finish: 9th

First five: Rabbitohs (H), Roosters (H), Eels (A), Dragons (A), Panthers (H)

TopSport odds: Premiers $23, Make Top 4: $4.60, Make Final 8: $2.05, Miss The Top 8: $1.75

Pass mark: Challenge for finals as a team.