Parramatta Eels veteran Tim Mannah can see plenty of positives in the aftermath of the riotous season that's been for the ailing club.
The Eels club captain was openly optimistic about what the future holds for him and his Parramatta teammates, despite the side losing 12 competition points for salary cap breaches in recent weeks.
The Eels have also had to deal with star playmaker Corey Norman's suspension for the remainder of the season, team captain Kieran Foran leaving the club and the Eels' Leagues Club board being removed by the state government's Liquor and Gaming arm.
Despite all this, Mannah – who hasn't played finals football since his debut season eight years ago – envisions the Eels' stability will be the best it has been in his time at the club.
"We have seen some of the most tumultuous times, these past few months. But I honestly think, where we are at currently, there's definitely a silver lining in the cloud," Mannah said.
"There's a real sense of moving forward now. I don't want to show any disrespect to anyone that's been at the club because I know everyone who has been involved has been really passionate and had the best intentions.
"But for us now, the less we look back the better off we will be."
On the same day where Eels players met temporary administrator Max Donnelly for the first time, Mannah on Tuesday said it was a start of a new chapter for the club.
"I think it's a positive step forward for us. We can let go of all the things which have happened in the past and look forward to the future," he said.
"Having Max in there now to clean up the mess, and to have no factions – the first time the club has had that for a while – and we can move on."
While the Eels' 20-point loss to the Gold Coast Titans over the weekend was the final nail in the coffin for the club's slim finals chances, Mannah can see his side heading into the final six rounds of the season with plenty of motivation.
Mannah missed six games earlier this year with a shoulder issue and said he'll have no issues getting up for the Eels' remaining games.
"Everyone is in the same boat, we have a team where every time you put your boots on and chuck your jersey on, it's a special moment. It's not hard to be motivated for what we're doing," Mannah said.
"In terms of our levels of hope, we're still pretty optimistic we can get a lot out of the rest of the season.
"It wasn't rock bottom in the sheds [after the Titans loss], it was more of a wake-up call to where we're at and it was a good chance to realise what we can make of the rest of the season."
Video first featured at parraeels.com.au
