News - April 1997

30 Apr 1997: Jimmy's back

Jim Serdaris returns from injury for this weekend's game. The teams are:

Illawarra: Reeves, Seru, Timmins, Rodwell, Clifford, Barrett, Air, Cross (c), Mackay, Bristow, Smith, Robinson, Bradstreet. Res: Cram, Cox, David.

Manly: Hancock, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Kosef, Serdaris, Menzies, Carroll, S Fulton, Tierney. Res: Weepu, Hunter Lyons.

FootyTAB: Illawarra +13.5

29 Apr 1997: All clear

Craig Hancock, Terry Hill and Mark Carroll were all exonerated by the ARL judiciary last night.

28 Apr 1997: Eagles stumble

Manly have suffered their first loss of the season, going down 19-16 in a tight struggle against Wests at Cambpelltown yesterday.

The Magpies led early, but a Terry Hill try in the 32nd minute brought it back to 4-4 at the break. With 24 minutes to go in the game, Wests had rushed to a 16-4 lead, but a spirited Manly fightback through tries to Menzies and Lyons saw it brought back to 17-16 with just 3 minutes remaining. A late goal to Andrew Leeds sealed the win for Wests, however, the Magpies finding themselves unlikely winners.

The Eagles blew several chances, with dropped balls on that last pass proving the difference. It was a costly loss for Manly - star forward Daniel Gartner has broken his thumb, and will be out for four to six weeks. With further injuries to David Gillespie and Nik Kosef, and Craig Hancock, Terry Hill and Mark Carroll all placed on report, it was not a happy afternoon for the Manly side. The only comfort to be had from the outing was a pair of wins to the lower grade sides.

It was at least pleasing to see the Eagles attempt to cut back on their backchat to the referee. John Hopoate still managed to get in his now trademark ``head-pat'', this time on former team-mate Des Hasler. Not good enough, John. Stick to playing football.

Manly still lead the competition after eight rounds, two points ahead of Newcastle. Their next game is on Sunday afternoon down at Wollongong, when they take on the Steelers.

23 Apr 1997: City vs Country teams

Manly have dominated selections for Friday's City vs Country game, with 10 players being named in the match. Hancock, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey, Menzies, Gartner and Carroll will all start for City, while Craig Field has been named as a reserve. Nik Kosef and David Gillespie will both front up for Country. In addition, Manly junior Josh Stuart (who now plays for North Sydney) has also made the City side.

The teams for Sunday's game against Western Suburbs are as follows:

Wests: Leeds, Willlis, Ken McGuinness, Pearson, Laing, Kevin McGuinness, Georgalis, Langmack (c), Millard, Dunn, Skandalis, Mescia, Howard. Res: Hasler, Doyle, Smith.

Manly: Hancock, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Kosef, Gartner, Menzies, Carroll, Scott Fulton, Tierney. Res: Weepu, Hunter, Lyons.

FootyTAB: Wests +14.5

21 Apr 1997: Knights dispatched

The Manly outfit is begnning to look invincible, after disposing of Newcastle 22-8 at Brookvale yesterday, and opening up a four point gap at the top of the table after seven rounds. The game was over at half-time, when the Eagles led 18-4 through tries to Hopoate, Menzies and Hunter.

Next Sunday the unstoppable Eagles travel to Campbelltown to take on the Magpies, for what is always a rough encounter.

16 Apr 1997: Sunday's teams

Manly: Hancock, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Kosef, Gartner, Menzies, Carroll, S Fulton, Tierney. Res: Weepu, Hunter, Lyons.

Newcastle: O'Davis, Albert, MacDougall, Craigie, Gidley, M Johns(c), Dynevor, Glanville, Muir, Peden, Richards, Jackson, Butterfield. Reserves: Harragon, Fletcher, Moodie.

FootyTAB: Newcastle +8.5

14 Apr 1997: Still undefeated!

The Eagles continued on their winning ways this weekend, when they defeated Parramatta 18-8 on Saturday night. In another tough game, Mark Carroll was put in Disneyland on the first tackle of the match, and Scott Fulton was put on report for a high shot.

Manly return to Brookvale next Sunday for a top of the table clash against the Newcastle Knights. Another win can make it seven wins in a row and put the Eagles at least three points clear at the top of the ladder.

09 Apr 1997: Team for Saturday

The following line up will play Parramatta: Hancock, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Kosef, Menzies, Gartner, Carroll, S Fulton, Tierney. Res: Hunter, Weepu, Lyons

Jim Serdaris and David Gillespie are still out with injuries.

08 Apr 1997: Epic victory

Manly scored a hard-fought victory over Sydney City on Friday night when they triumphed 34-24 after trailing 18-0 early in the game. It was a rough game, with injuries and citings a feature. Geoff Toovey left the field with a neck injury, but later returned to the field to complete his 200th game.

The Eagles are now alone, undefeated, at the top of the table after five rounds. On Saturday night they travel to Parramatta to take on the struggling Eels.

Question for the week: when will Steve Menzies score a try?

Earlier stories: [Jan 97 | Feb 97 | Mar 97]

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30-Apr-1997
Bryan Gaensler
bgaensler@dunlap.utoronto.ca