Generation next can't come soon enough for Wests Tigers after the current crop were made to look second rate in a 36-18 loss to Manly at Campbelltown Stadium.
Five-eighth Kieran Foran was brilliant for the Sea Eagles as he controlled play beautifully in setting up three of his side's six tries, Justin Horo and Jamie Lyon both finishing with doubles as Manly leapfrogged Melbourne to move up to third on the ladder.
Lyon finished with a personal haul of 20 points, both tries long-range efforts including a 95 metre four-pointer when an errant Braith Anasta pass was kicked into his lap.
On the same day the club announced the re-signing of boom halves Luke Brooks and Mitchell Moses to four-year deals, departing five-eighth Benji Marshall and halfback Anasta were particularly poor for the hosts.
It was only after the second half introduction of Curtis Sironen that the Tigers came to life, two quick tries reducing Manly's lead to just 10 points with a quarter of the game to go.