The second half was very dour - handling and ball movement from both sides left much to be desired. However, the trademark titanium defence of the Manly outfit held the Bears out. From where I was sitting, it seemed Geoff Toovey scored a fair try in the dying stages, but referee David Manson ruled that the captain lost the ball over the line. Never mind - Manson has given us plenty of favours in recent times...
Best for Manly were Field (once again outstanding), Carroll, Gartner and Serdaris, while big replacement prop Billy Weepu continues to impress. Cliff Lyons made a successful return from injury, playing almost half the game. Both David Gillespie (groin) and Jim Serdaris (knee) had to leave the field, and are in doubt for next week.
Question for the week: what is Scott Fulton doing in first grade?
Next Saturday night sees the Eagles travel to Brisbane to take on the South Queensland Crushers.
Craig Field was outstanding, with another great kicking game and some sharp running and passing - Cliff Lyons will have his work cut out regaining his first grade spot when he returns from injury. Other good players for Manly were Gartner, Kosef, Serdaris, Carroll and Hopoate.
Manly have their first home game of the season on Friday night, when they face up to the Old Enemy, the North Sydney Bears.
Best for Manly were Toovey, Carroll, Gartner, Menzies and Serdaris. Craig Field, in his premiership debut for the club, displayed an excellent kicking game, and set up a good try for Terry Hill in the first half. However, he showed a tendency to put on moves which at times the second rowers and centres found hard to read. Undoubtedly combinations will begin to gel once he settles into the team.
Goal kicking may be a problem for Manly in 1997 - Field kicked 0 from 2, and Innes managed 1 from 2. Meanwhile in reserve grade, fullback Shannon Nevin had a good game with the boot, and generally played solidly. With Matt Ridge now departed, surely Nevin has done enough to secure a first grade spot?
And finally, special mention to the Optus Cheer Squad. They made the girls from Brookvale look very ordinary indeed.
The Eagles' next game is on Friday night at Kogarah. St George will no doubt be eager to make up for the result in last year's Grand Final.
In 1997, we're faced with two rival competitions. While there's sure to be plenty of rivarly and sniping between the two camps, I encourage supporters of all clubs to forget about the big money running the show, get down to the game, and cheer on your local side. Let's hope we see some good footy in the year to come!
Manly: Hancock, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Kosef, Gartner, Menzies, Carroll, Serdaris, Gillespie. Interchange: Tierney, S Fulton
FootyTAB: Balmain +19.5
It is now just three days away from the start of the 1997 Optus Cup. Round one will see Manly face the Balmain Tigers at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday night. First grade kick-off is at 6.30pm.
Earlier stories: [Jan 97 | Feb 97]
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