You're missing the entire point Charlie, Manly did beat the Storm but it's irrellevant in this particular argument. Manly were then travelling along nicely then and people weren't questioning their premiership credentials or questioning whether the wheels had fallen off like they are now which is exactly the point of the argument.
Those doubts and questions have started in the last month when Manly have lost to 2 bottom sides as well as another in the bottom half of the 8 in their last 4 games. Yes, Manly had some great wins in the first half of the year including against Melbourne, but as mentioned those wins have absolutely nothing to do with what's being argued here and that is how Manly's form has dropped off dramatically in the last month and whether or not they can turn it around or if they are the real deal for the title.