The Sea Eagles were ordinary for most of 2016, due partly to injuries to key men, but the acquisition of Nate Myles, Marty Taupau, Dylan Walker and a lifetime deal for Daly Cherry-Evans had fans optimistic for a powerhouse return.

That did not happen as the side struggled to build combinations and find any consistency under new coach Trent Barrett.

“I think it was underestimated, how long it was going to take,” Menzies told foxsports.com.au.

“But you need to have no injuries, you need a consistent halves pairing, I don’t think they had the same halves for two or three weeks in a row for the first 15 weeks, it was always changing.

“You need time; time at training’s good but you need time on the field.

“That’s not making excuses, they need to lift, but everyone needs to be playing well when those things are happening.”

Daly Cherry-Evans was heavily criticised for his form after singing a reported $10 million deal with the 27-year-old spending considerable time on the sidelines.

When he was available, the former Queensland halfback was tasked with all playmaking duties for the first time in his career following the departure of long-term halves partner Kieran Foran.

Menzies said the arrival of former Storm No.6 Blake Green would alleviate a lot of that pressure to allow Cherry-Evans to play his natural game and return to his best.

“Blake Green arrives and he’s a quality footballer,” he said.

“Obviously down in Melbourne he did a great job among some world class players, he was able to call the ball when he needed to.

“Playing with Cooper Cronk, he clearly wasn’t overawed and he played his role beautifully and had an influence on the game.”

The dual Manly premiership-winner said a top-eight finish in 2017 would be the target.

“They’re still a young side, it’s still a new coach, I think the top eight would be good. Their goals would be higher but I think they’d be disappointed to miss out on the eight,” he said.