Manly put up price tag for sponsorship
Manly officials believe their NRL grand final victory could deliver a major sponsorship deal worth more than the $1 million per year they flagged just last month.
With co-owner Max Delmege pulling the plug on his jersey sponsorship to test the market, the Sea Eagles are looking for a major sponsor which could see them return to the mantle of the game's silvertails.
CEO Grant Mayer said he expected his phone to start ringing very soon.
"We obviously put the million dollar price tag on it before we made a grand final and now we've won a grand final, obviously we're in a good position," Mayer told AAP.
"We're not going to rush into anything now, we think that we can take a little bit of time.
"We've had some nibbles already, which is exciting, but I think everybody now that's involved with business and sponsorship will see exactly how much Manly is worth as a brand.
"I expect today will be a busy day but, fingers crossed, we'll get it done pretty quickly."
The deal will be the latest step in a five-year plan hatched by coach Des Hasler and recruitment boss Noel Cleal to deliver a club on its knees after the Super League war and ill-fated Northern Eagles joint venture its seventh premiership, and first since 1996.
The plan worked spectacularly with Hasler improving the side gradually each year, from 13th in 2004.
It included the signing of at least one marquee player each year, from Ben Kennedy and Brent Kite in 2005 to Matt Orford in 2006 and Jamie Lyon last year.
"To make a grand final last year, in the fourth year (of the plan) was a bit of a shock but I think this year, the fifth year, was always on the cards and it happened," Mayer said.
"It just shows you what Des is all about, he's such a driven human being, a driven bloke that he's literally got what he wanted."
There are no marquee names heading to the peninsula next year, with Parramatta young gun Tony Williams and Newcastle's Chris Bailey the only major signings.
Williams played wing at the Eels and Bailey was bought as a five-eighth but, with Michael Robertson now a three-try grand final hero, David Williams in great form on the other wing and Jamie Lyon in superb form at pivot, just where the recruits will play will prove a welcome headache for Hasler.
"(Williams) was initially identified as a back-rower but the fact that he played wing for Parramatta and is also a centre just goes to show that he's very versatile and that's the sort of player that we need," Mayer said.
"The good thing about Chris (Bailey) is he can play 13 as well ... When you throw in representation, you can never have enough depth."
Clive Churchill medallist Brent Kite has paid tribute to Hasler for the journey he'd taken him on since the Test prop left St George Illawarra.
"It's really pleasing to be part of this team that Dessy's put together and steered us to a GF," Kite said.
"Not everyone thought he'd go straight into coaching because Des (as a player) was just sort of about guts and determination, they weren't sure if he was much of a thinking player.
"But I think it does mean a lot and I think he's been instrumental in this success."
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