Even if that were true, which I don't think it is, it wouldn't prove Easts are more likely to win the comp than Manly.
Yeh no doubt although as much as I truly believe Manly have the best team on paper in the comp they've still got a shot load to prove under Toovey imo. It's never been my argument though. MF's genuinely tried to maintain that we're still the 'meh team and average defensive side' he predicted pre season.
Excuse me but I do believe I've said on several occasions that I totally under-estimated certain teams, Easts being one of them. The Titans and Penrith being others. And likewise I overestimated quite a few teams; Brisbane, Parramatta, and of course the usual bogey team, the Cowboys. I'm just not one to jump up and down about flogging Parramatta, and Canterbury and Penrith and St. George as if that makes you genuine contenders. Look at the top 8. You haven't beaten Souths. You haven't beaten Melbourne. You haven't beaten Cronulla. You haven't beaten the Titans. You haven't beaten Canberra. And you haven't beaten Newcastle. I'm not saying you can't or won't but I won't hold you in the circle of genuine contenders until you do start knocking a few of these teams off.
Well, they were a top 8 side at the time but yes without Hodges and McGuire they certainly aren't top 8 material.
