Unable to officially farewell two of the club's biggest legends at their first NRL home game, Manly players are vowing to continue the legacy of Brett Stewart and Steve Matai throughout the 2017 season.
Sea Eagles management are desperate to give the pair the send-off they deserve at Brookvale, however no plans can be made until the club's application for a medical retirement is ruled upon by the NRL.
When that will be finalised is unclear, with the NRL setting no deadline for the decisions to be made.
The matter could be drawn out into the opening month of the season, with the league last week requesting more information on Steve Matai's neck and shoulder problems, while initially rejecting the application for Brett Stewart's salary to be removed from the cap.
Instead, Manly players are vowing to carry the star duo's legacy into the 2017 season, as much off the field as they do on it.
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"One thing that a lot of people take out of that is how welcoming they were to the younger kids," prop Darcy Lussick said.
"If you came through into the NRL you knew what was expected of you and you felt welcome and everyone wanted you there.
"We're a bit older now so we've got to step up and fill the void."
Lussick is one of the few players left at Manly who can speak of the pair's leadership abilities while they were in their prime.
He debuted at the Sea Eagles in their premiership year of 2011 before moving to Parramatta in 2013 and returning to Brookvale last year.
"When I was here in 2011 and 2012 I probably didn't realise how good of a team we had and how influential those players are to everyone else," he said.
"Players like Jason King, Steve Matai and the Stewarts were unbelievable with the way they trained and things.
"We can take a lot out of them."
Manly made the finals for 10 consecutive years while the pair - along with a star-studded side - were in their prime.
However as they struggled for fitness in recent years, the Sea Eagles missed the last two finals series and are desperate to turn things around.
Much of that pressure will fall on new fullback Tom Trbojevic, who is desperate to return the club to the successful culture created by the last playing group.
