In every game there is going to be a cross-road, and when you get to that cross-road you either step up, or you step down!
Only time will tell of course but I'd think that the result was more of a reflection on how bad the Tigers are rather than Manly. Reality will hit when they play North Shore and Pennant Hills.
I think they will be competitive and could well finish above 2-3 teams. Long term they should be fine, they have a strong, progressive junior club and are an area that always attracts inter-staters. For too long they have been held back due to North Shore's self interest.
I think the quality is poorer but I like the fact that clubs like Manly and UTS can come up and be competitive whilst essentially staying amateur. Perhaps the NEAFL is good in that it takes out the guys that deserve to be paid and leaves the remaining clubs as amateurs. It's impossible to enforce but SYdney footy would be a lot healthier if it was amateur I believe. Perhaps this will open up the reality of genuine promotion and relegation which I think would be brilliant
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