Manly signing Blake Green is key to turning around the NRL club's fortunes according to his new Sea Eagles teammate Martin Taupau.
Five-eighth was the problem spot for coach Trent Barrett in his first season at Brookvale this year.
After his experiment with Dylan Walker soured, Jamie Lyon did his best to revitalise Manly's season. But it wasn't enough as Manly endured their worst finish in over a decade to come fourth last.
With Lyon retired, former Melbourne pivot Green is the man who is charged with taking Manly back to the finals in 2017.
Alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, Green is the key piece of the puzzle under former NSW and Kangaroos five-eighth Barrett.
New Zealand forward Martin Taupau believes Green is the right man for Manly.
"It is a great initiative for the club to sign Blake Green. He is a quality player," Taupau told AAP.
"He had a great year this year. He showed what sort of player he is and played in the grand final.
"The different combinations really hurt us this year. We had Dylan Walker playing at No.6 and then that changed.
"We really need stability there. It is crucial for us and Blake will bring that. Plus he is a talented player.
"He is part of what is building for us. He is the type of player that can take this club forward and I am excited for what lies ahead."
Two weeks ago Taupau re-signed with Manly until the end of 2020, after joining them from Wests Tigers for 2016.
Taupau said one of his man reasons for recommitting was to play under Barrett who he said has tremendous potential as a head coach.
Barrett struggled in his debut year which was rocked by a number of injuries, allegations of match fixing and a legal stoush with the club's major sponsor.
"It was a great show of faith," Taupau said.
"We have some great senior players there and some youngsters coming through.
"Trent is a great coach, who knows his football.
"There were certain elements in his game that he didn't have control over.
"We have the majority of our salary cap on the sidelines and some inexperienced players come in.
"It is all about cohesion and we just didn't have that.
"But there are plenty of reasons to be positive about next year."
