SALARY cap dramas aside, Blake Green’s departure and Manly’s failure to lure Mitchell Pearce as his replacement has been the biggest off-season talking point for a club that looks to be on the verge of another productive era.

After finishing 2017 in sixth place, expectations for a top four finish this year were soaring on the northern beaches until Manly became the biggest loser of the crazy halves carousel that took Green, Pearce, James Maloney and Matt Moylan to other clubs.

The carousel appears to have stopped spinning, although Trent Hodkinson is still on the Sea Eagles’ radar and could yet prove the wildcard in the club’s September ambitions.

Blake Green was a popular team man at Manly and leaves a big hole. Source: News Corp Australia

Round 19

However, the planning for life without a big name No. 6 has started in earnest, with youngsters Jackson Hastings and Lachlan Croker jockeying for first crack.

As of now Croker is the favourite to partner Daly Cherry-Evans, with the new-look combination the biggest question mark hanging over Trent Barrett’s squad.

Croker has been in the NRL system for three years for just one top grade appearance with the Raiders, with injuries severely curtailing his development.

After deciding on a fresh start he has made every post a winner in his first pre-season with the Sea Eagles and shapes as the make or break recruit the club’s playoffs hopes hinge on as the promising rebuild under Barrett goes into its next phase.

Over the next month, foxsports.com.au will be previewing your team’s best 17.

As always, there will be some contentious decisions — and some unlucky omissions.

Scroll down and leave a comment to have your say.

NB: These line ups don’t take into account current injuries (unless they’re season ending) or suspensions.

THE LOCK

Tom Trbojevic

Now established as one of the best fullbacks in the competition, 21-year-old Tom Trbojevic looms as the attacking weapon to push Manly to the next level.

His place in the Kangaroos’ World Cup squad would have done him the world of good, with the youngster learning from Billy Slater and consummate professional Cameron Smith about what it takes to be truly elite.

Despite rocketing into the top five in the competition for linebreaks, linebreak assists and average run metres in 2017, Trbojevic still has areas of his game to improve.

He made too many errors last year (his 39 put him second in the NRL, behind only Anthony Milford) and his fitness still has another level to go to improve his positioning and his ability to organise the defence from the back.

If he can make strides in those areas, the Sea Eagles will be every chance of improving on their sixth place finish last year and a NSW jersey will be his for the taking.

Tom Trbojevic’s experience with the Kangaroos should prove invaluable. Source: Getty Images

THE BUBBLE

Brian Kelly

Twenty-three first grade appearances was a pretty good effort for a first-year centre and Kelly showed enough in 2017 to suggest he has a huge future in front of him.

However, concerns over his defensive decision making cost him his place late in the season as the rigours of a long year in the top level got the better of him.

Coach Trent Barrett will be keen to see Kelly improve in those areas as he continues to develop a left-side combination with winger Jorge Taufua.

If he doesn’t, the emergence of Holden Cup star Tom Wright will put some serious heat on his place in the top 17.

Brian Kelly had an up and down first season for Manly. Source: News Corp Australia

THE RISING STAR

Tom Wright

The driving force behind Manly’s unlikely Holden Cup premiership last year, after qualifying for the finals in eighth position, Wright is a project player who is starting to look like a big win.

After making his name as a schoolboy rugby union superstar, Manly swooped for Wright’s signature when he was 18 and two years later he is on the cusp of a first grade debut.

While he has played the majority of his NYC career in the No. 6 jersey, Wright’s best attribute is his running game and he is more likely to debut in the top grade as a centre than a five-eighth.

That opportunity may come as early as round one, with Dylan Walker still recovering from a broken leg and dislocated ankle he suffered playing for the Prime Minister’s XIII in Papua New Guinea.

If he can win that spot and impress he will start to put pressure on Kelly for his spot at left centre and may even come into consideration for a bench utility role.

Tom Wright is likely to get a shot at first grade in 2018. Source: News Corp Australia

IT’S A BIG YEAR FOR ...

Lachlan Croker

Once considered a long-term halves prospect at the Raiders, this 21-year-old has had a shocking run of injuries since 2016 and is due a bit of luck at his second club.

And without even finishing his first pre-season at Manly, the talented playmaker might have found some, with Blake Green’s early departure opening the door to a genuine shot at the No. 6 jersey.

Croker has been hugely impressive in pre-season and has established himself alongside Daly Cherry-Evans as the fittest player at the club.

That hasn’t been missed by Barrett, who puts faith in his players and expects it to be repaid through their attitude to training, so it shouldn’t be a surprise if he starts next to DCE in round one.

There’s plenty of talent to go with his famous family name, so a good first couple of months could secure his first grade future.

Lachlan Croker has a big opportunity ahead of him at Manly. Source: Supplied

THE BEST 17

1. Tom Trbojevic

2. Akuila Uate

3. Brian Kelly

4. Dylan Walker

5. Jorge Taufua

6. Lachlan Croker

7. Daly Cherry-Evans

8. Marty Taupau

9. Apisai Koroisau

10. Darcy Lussick

11. Curtis Sironen

12. Joel Thompson

13. Jake Trbojevic

14. Lewis Brown

15. Addin Fonua-Blake

16. Lloyd Perrett

17. Frank Winterstein