If there was any concern about the quality of Warwick Jaffe's latest work on Graham Lowe they were surely diminished amid Manly's double dose of National Rugby League heartache.

Those stents the Auckland cardiologist inserted into Lowe's diseased arteries in December stood up to a fairly stern examination at the Sydney Football Stadium -- and a week later at Parramatta -- when his beloved Sea Eagles surrendered a substantial lead for a second time.

The second half capitulation against the Eels - aided by a massive referring blunder - culminated in Manly coach Des Hasler ripping a dressing room door from its hinges.

Yet up in the corporate area, 63-year-old Lowe took the setback in a stride appropriate for a man who these days realises there is more to life than footy - even if he could not resist the challenge of rebuilding a club dogged by boardroom disharmony and off-field controversy in 2009.

Lowe's tenure as chief executive started ominously when he collapsed at Auckland airport hours before he was to head to Sydney's northern beaches and take up a one-year deal at Brookvale Oval.

Initially it was feared Lowe would require a double bypass, a procedure to add to the triple bypass that effectively ended his three-year coaching reign at Manly in 1993.

Since the first operation, the former Kiwis, Queensland and Wigan coach has been afflicted by strokes, pulmonary embolisms and multiple deep vein thromboses.

But despite those life-threatening illnesses the failing health of one of his favourite clubs convinced him to leave the quiet life at Dairy Flat, north of Auckland.

Lowe's predecessor Grant Mayer succumbed to the boardroom bickering last June - it took five months for the two rival factions to realise the New Zealander could be a unifying force.

"They had a few things going on but I'm pleased to say we've got a functional and engaging board now," Lowe told NZPA.

"It was critical that I was going to be able to sort that out. I'm pleased to say the old tried and true cup of tea method works well. We sat everyone down and talked things out."

Lowe also worked on modifying the club's 'culture' 12 months after a raucous season launch culminated in star fullback Brett Stewart facing sex charges and Anthony Watmough sanctioned for punching a sponsor.

The 2010 function was deliberately low-key with soft drinks on tap and actual clowns as entertainment.

Lowe acknowledged the public's perception of the club had to change, and less than three months into the job, his calming influence seems to have been effective - not that Lowe claims credit for his players' clean reputation after hours.

"Dessie (Hasler) is the coach. He's a person of great principle and great discipline. That's his department," Lowe said.

But was Hasler, a 255-game legend at Manly, setting the right example by opening that door vigorously after tearing strips off his players at Parramatta?

"It gave a glimpse of what the job is like," Lowe said.

"They put on their coach's face but when things turn to your disadvantage it can be frustrating.

"I'm in the fortunate position that I know how that feels. In some ways in gives me a quietness inside me because I also know there's a way out of it -- and I know that Des knows that."

Lowe no longer feels the angst he used to when a tackle is missed or his side is dudded by a ref's call.

And despite his storied coaching career Lowe insists he no longer visualises running plays from the stands at Brooky.

"If you've had a taste of coaching at a high level, it gets in your blood and it doesn't leave.

"Though as time goes on you need to be able to get a balance and see things from a different perspective.

"I just enjoy being able to walk out my office look at them on the (training) field and then go back inside when it gets too hot."

With game days no longer spiking the blood pressure as it used to in his coaching days, Lowe insists his second stint at Manly has actually been beneficial for his health.

"I thought I could get an unhealthy reaction to it. Instead it's really been a blessing. I've never felt as well in my entire life as I do now."