Rugby league legend Andrew Johns said Manly's reliance on star fullback Tom Trbojevic was a "real worry" following their disastrous end to the 2020 season.
The Sea Eagles, who last year reached the semi-finals, were poised to contend for a premiership in 2020 before injuries made life difficult.
Manly would win four of their first six matches of the season before a hamstring injury to Trboejvic in Round 6 put a stop to their momentum.
They would go on to lose their next three games and eventually fall out of the top eight and finish the season with just one win from their last nine games.
Trbojevic's absence has led to many pundits questioning how effective Manly as a team can be when the fullback isn't part of the squad.
Johns said without Trbojevic, Manly looked "one-paced" as they struggled to find that "flare" to win games.
"They're just a different team when Tom is in there," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Manly Sea Eagles End Of Season Review.
"Probably a 14-16 point turn around because he saves tries, scores them and sets them up.
"That's a real worry where a lot of your game is based around one player.
"He just adds so much. Such a freakish player.
"They're one-paced without him, they haven't got that flare.
"Defensively, he organises teams so well and brings the ball back so well. It's a real worry."
Rugby league legend Andrew Johns said Manly's reliance on star fullback Tom Trbojevic was a "real worry" following their disastrous end to the 2020 season.
The Sea Eagles, who last year reached the semi-finals, were poised to contend for a premiership in 2020 before injuries made life difficult.
Manly would win four of their first six matches of the season before a hamstring injury to Trboejvic in Round 6 put a stop to their momentum.
They would go on to lose their next three games and eventually fall out of the top eight and finish the season with just one win from their last nine games.
Trbojevic's absence has led to many pundits questioning how effective Manly as a team can be when the fullback isn't part of the squad.
Johns said without Trbojevic, Manly looked "one-paced" as they struggled to find that "flare" to win games.
"They're just a different team when Tom is in there," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Manly Sea Eagles End Of Season Review.
"Probably a 14-16 point turn around because he saves tries, scores them and sets them up.
"That's a real worry where a lot of your game is based around one player.
"He just adds so much. Such a freakish player.
"They're one-paced without him, they haven't got that flare.
"Defensively, he organises teams so well and brings the ball back so well. It's a real worry."
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