Contact work was out and putt-putt golf in as what is left of Manly's busted and depleted playing ranks gathered on Tuesday to begin preparing for what looks like a futile exercise in Sunday's fourth qualifying final against the Dragons.
Steve Matai and Jason King joined the lengthy list of absentees when they took early guilty pleas to high tackle charges on Tuesday, bringing to nine the number of players either missing or in doubt for the trip to Kogarah.
David Williams (shoulders), Brett Stewart (knee), Shane Rodney (knee), Glenn Stewart (suspended) and Kieran Foran (shoulder) are definitely out, while Anthony Watmough (ankle) and Brent Kite (collarbone) are doubtful starters.
The Sea Eagles have that many missing that training was replaced by putt-putt golf on Tuesday.
Normally cagey Manly coach Des Hasler didn't even bother to conceal the extent of his side's problems.
"There's probably eight definites on the sideline at the moment and potentially another couple on top of that," he said.
"We won't get a clear indication until towards the end of the week."
"It's just as well we're playing Sunday."
A Manly victory away from home against the red-hot minor premiers would go down as one of the finest in the club's 63-year history.
The Sea Eagles have no choice to wear the outsiders tag but Hasler won't be resorting to 'us against the world' tactics to rev up his battle-weary troops.
"I think this side is experienced enough and more professional than that," he said.
"We don't need a siege mentality."
"We'll back ourselves and our own belief in each other."
"We're going there to win a game of football."
Forwards Josh Perry and Jamie Buhrer are just as adamant Manly's season is not a lost cause.
The Sea Eagles have beaten the Dragons earlier this season and believe they can cause another boilover.
"It's just two football teams going at it. When you get out there you don't think so much about who you're playing," Buhrer said.
"We're looking forward to getting out there and giving it our best."
"Whatever team we put on the paddock it's going to be a good one and they'll do the club proud."
"As long as we all put I think we're just as good a chance of beating them."
Heading into what could be his last game for the Sea Eagles, Perry added: "If we can get up and win it's definitely going to be one of the club's better wins."
"We know how to beat them and we can beat them – it's just a matter of who we've got and going out there and doing it on Sunday."
Hasler won't be able to finalise his 17-man squad until shortly before kick-off, but Jamie Lyon will play five-eighth with Tony Williams likely to shift from the wing to centre.
Brent Kite will start for King in the front-row.
Youngsters Will Hopoate and Michael Oldfield will come under consideration for spots in the backline.