Abra manip is generally pretty flexible with step count, but with too many steps, the step counter will roll over during the manip and advance the RNG frames more than expected. 

From my testing, the current Abra will manip will break if you have anywhere between 26 to around 60 extra steps compared to the "standard" movement. I'll elaborate more on what I'm considering "standard" later, but this essentially means you should run an extra 40 steps or so if your Abra manip isn't working and you want to fix it in the middle of the run.

My testing used the normal Wingull step count, no more, no less. It took no extra steps getting to Roxanne or entering Route 116. In route 116, I went straight to Rusturf Tunnel without any detours or extra steps. On the way back, I did the pause manip pass on Janice (Marill lady), rather than running along the top. I then talked to Josh from below and ran back to Rustboro without going around any grass tiles. After the Pokemart, I ran straight to Briney and took the boat without grabbing beach potion or anything else. Then I went directly to Granite Cave to do Abra manip.

Some things that waste steps compared to what I tested with:
Grabbing the Pokeball in Rusturf Tunnel: +16 steps
Grabbing the beach potion: +12 steps
Grabbing Oran berries before Briney: +5 steps
Doing the backup pause manip for Janice if she quick spins: +4 steps
Going around the grass after Josh (if you fought from the right side): +4 steps
Going around the grass after Josh (if you fought from the left side): +2 steps

Some things that save steps compared to what I tested with:
Going along the top of Route 116, on the way back from the tunnel: -6 steps
Going to the right of Briney before entering the tunnel: -1 step
Hopping the ledge on the way back: -1 step

So you can see that grabbing the Pokeball and the beach potion would be likely to put you over the extra 26 step barrier. If you want to reduce step count, I would definitely recommend skipping the Pokeball, as there are other ways to get extra money after Abra.

This ends up being the same whether or not you do Abra before or after Brawly. The stepcounts end up being equal assuming you don't take extra steps going to Brawly.