If you were to sum up everything that is going well for the Manly Sea Eagles rugby league club right now, the answer would be 'not much'.
On-field results are well below expectations, star players are struggling for form and crowds are dismal.
Sadly, that's more toward the positive end of things when it comes to the club right now.
The club has been investigated, fined and had other penalties imposed due to salary cap issues, face a horror injury toll, and reports of in-fighting and disdain between the playing group is tearing the team apart at the seams.
With salary cap restrictions for this year and next, Trent Barrett is unable to go out and sign a superstar either now or for next season to find a quick fix.
The current injury toll is beyond belief, with three ACL injuries suffered across three home games at LottoLand. Darcy Lussick was moved on to ease salary cap pressure stretching the Eagles' forward depth even further.
Despite being told very publicly that he would not represent the club again this season there is a very good chance that Jackson Hastings will be called upon. The break down of relationship between Hastings and Daly Cherry Evans will have to be put aside if they are named together this weekend, or in the near future.
It's now at the point where Manly will turn to a young player who has been sacked by two clubs in 2018 in Moses Suli. He's a talented footballer but hasn't shown the dedication or discipline required to play at this level.
Simply put, things could be much smoother sailing on the Northern Beaches.
That said, despite Manly's current horror plight, a look across Sydney to the Sharks, or further south to the Storm, will prove that well managed teams overcome such dark times.
The obvious rebuttal is that it really couldn't get any worse, but I'm dead serious when I urge fans and players to grit their teeth and ride this out.
Ask any Sharks fan if they'd go through all the ASADA filth again to relive the night of October 2nd 2016 and it will be a unanimous 'Yes!'
Same re the Storm and the salary cap dramas that saw the club ripped apart and relegated to playing a season for zero competition points.
Just a few years ago there was genuine chance that the Sharks would be forced to fold and relocate based on the costs incurred by investigating and preparing to defend against the ASADA scandal.
Sponsors bailed in huge numbers, fans dropped off, and the Sharks finished last by a long margin. No player with an option signed to play in the Shire.
Fast forward to the final day of the 2016 season as Paul Gallen stood tall holding the most sought after trophy in rugby league. Worth every second!
The Storm were forced to shed the likes of Israel Folau and Greg Inglis and instead turn to reserve graders in order to become salary cap reliant.
Every Storm fan was met with plenty of tongue-in-cheek curry at every NRL venue across the land as a result of the club's actions. Ask how they felt a few seasons later when Cam Smith stood with a huge smile on his face as purple confetti rained down upon his side.
Rugby League's history is littered with rags to riches stories, the Storm and Sharks are just the two that come to mind.
Lyall Gorman, Trent Barrett, DCE and the fans all have to take solace in the turn around of fortunes of two of their greatest rivals.
Gorman oversaw the Sharks' rise from laughing stock to premiers on field and future financial powerhouse off it. He has runs on the board at overcoming tough times.
Barrett came out during the week to announce he's 100% committed to the club in their hour of need. Although fingers will be pointed his way after the breakdown between two of his play-makers, ultimately the show of solidarity can only be a positive.
One thing that needs to happen is Cherry Evans needs to show leadership on and off the field. The one huge aspect shared by both the Storm and Sharks is the strength of their captain. Cam Smith and Paul Gallen both earned club immortal status in tough times.
At a million dollars a season, DCE needs to replicate the same form on field and mental strength off it.
It's yet to be seen whether or not he can do that, but given the pay cheque he is currently on and the role he plays, he really has no choice but to step up and lead the club into brighter times.
We all get a good laugh when Manly are struggling, but as hard as it is for fans right now to grin and ignore it, things will get better .. but when?
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