It’s the telling figure that shows just how far Manly have come under second-year coach Trent Barrett.

Of the 17 players who will take to the field for Sunday’s crucial NRL clash with St George Illawarra, 10 have played reserve grade since the start of 2015.

And that’s before you even start counting the likes of livewire hooker Apisai Koroisau and Curtis Sironen, who will miss the match through injury.

Among them are the likes of Akuila Uate, Shaun Lane, Lloyd Perrett and Sironen, who enjoyed boom starts to their careers before falling out of favour at their previous clubs.

It’s how Barrett — despite having been stuck without Steve Matai and Brett Stewart — has turned the Sea Eagles into shock top-four contenders.

“It’s rewarding as a coach,” Barrett said.

“Their attitude and their will to want to to get back to the level they were at before.

“I just want to get them to bigger games.”

Key to Barrett’s success, players say, is the way he hones in on their strengths and makes that the sole focus of their on-field job.

It’s how he’s been able to keep Manly’s form alive, having won six of their past seven games despite a lack of recognised depth as the Origin period and injuries have set in.

“He just looks at the strengths you have as a player and he really encourages you to use those strengths,” Lane said.

“And then he gets the service players like Chez (Daly Cherry-Evans) and Greeny (Blake Green) to bring out those opportunities where you can use it.”

Barrett came into the season as one of the most under-pressure coaches in the league, but his calmness throughout the summer has left a steadying influence of the team.

“He’s got some great rapport with the boys,” Koroisau said.

“I think the boys like that he’s not just sergeant wanting to coach crazy.

“He knew how hectic things got. The players respect that.”

BARRETT’S BEST RECRUITS AT MANLY

Dylan Walker – Left South Sydney after off-field woes.

Brian Kelly – Plucked from the Gold Coast’s U-20 side a season early.

Akuila Uate – Stuck in reserve grade at Newcastle last year.

Blake Green – Key recruit in the halves but had never won a game without playing beside Cooper Cronk before this season.

Cameron Cullen- Gold Coast reserve last season. Now Manly utility.

Martin Taupau – Struggled for consistency at Wests Tigers but has found his best.

Frank Winterstein – Australian rugby sevens player until last July.

Shaun Lane – Warriors reserve grade player.

Lloyd Perrett – Couldn’t get a run behind Canterbury’s big forward pack.

Apisai Koroisau – Played reserve grade at Penrith in Barrett’s system.

Matthew Wright – Arrived from North Queensland’s reserve grade team last year.

Curtis Sironen – Relegated to reserves at the Tigers last year.