Willie Mason, who has joined Manly for next year, will add beef to a new-look forward line. Source: News Corp Australia

The Sea Eagles will be aiming for an 11th straight top eight appearance when the new season kicks off but will have to overcome the loss of several of their forward generals.

The Sea Eagles have lost nearly 900 games’ experience with the departures of Jason King (retired), Anthony Watmough (Parramatta), Glenn Stewart (South Sydney) and Richie Fa’aoso (Parramatta). But Menzies believes the club can extend its proud dynasty.

He said it was up players such as Justin Horo and Jamie Buhrer to become forward leaders and former premiership winner Willie Mason would lend vital experience.

“Big Willie — I think he’s a really astute purchase,” Menzies said. “He won’t be captain ... but he can lead the team off the field as well as on.

“He’s a big personality and players listen to him and want to follow him.”

With the Sea Eagles rebuilding, Menzies said there was plenty of talent coming through the lower grades. He said outside back Peta Hiku, a standout at fullback for New Zealand during their Four Nations win, was representative of that potential.

“He was a great player before but he’s just matured and getting better and better, and it’s going to be guys like that. You probably wouldn’t have looked at last year to be a senior player.

AAP