News - September 1997

29 Sep 1997: Those Monday blues...

Well it's now the morning after and the nightmare has still not gone away. A big rap to our gallant Eagles though, who took the loss on the chin, without a trace of sour grapes. Special mention to three Manly boys: firstly our captain Geoff Toovey who, despite having to leave the field twice, led from the front and had a huge game. Secondly, to Cliff Lyons - ten years after Cliffy got us home against Canberra, he almost did it again. And he'll be back in 1998 to have another crack at it. Finally, to David Gillespie, who played his last game of rugby league yesterday. In a world of franchises, loyalty agreements and multi-million dollar contracts, Cement got up there and reminded us that it's all about your mates.

Despite being pipped at the post, Manly can take a lot from 1997. Highlight for me was the emergence of local junior Anthony Colella. Buddha has been a game-breaker for Manly in recent weeks, and should give the fans at Brookie much pleasure in years to come. We also saw promising winger Andrew Hunter score plenty of tries, and the talent of Shannon Nevin finally blossom in the top grade. With juniors like these continuing to come up through the ranks, the future looks solid. My vote for player of the year goes to Jim Serdaris: every game he played was a blinder.

And what about 1998? The Manly side should remain largely unchanged next year, and they should begin the season as one of the favourites to take out the Optus Cup. Shannon Nevin is off-contract, and the signing of goal kicker Luke Phillips raises questions about how keen Manly are to keep our young fullback. Have your say: should Manly keep Nevin? Should Cliffy call it quits? How did Craig Field fit into the side this year? What are your thoughts on the season that was and the one that is to come?

28 Sep 1997: Bridesmaids again

A throughly deserving Newcastle side are the 1997 ARL Premiers, after downing Manly 22-16 in a thriller at the SFS earlier today. A brilliant first half saw Manly lead 16-8 at the break, and look to have the Optus Cup in the bag. But an inspired Knights brigade forced Manly into numerous errors in the second half, scoring under the posts with five minutes to go to make it 16-16. The killer blow came right on the siren, when Darren Albert scored from broken play to give Newcastle their first premiership.

So 1997 marks another heartbreaking loss for the Sea Eagles. Geoff Toovey, Cliff Lyons, Shannon Nevin and John Hopoate all had strong games, but it just wasn't enough on the day. Congratulations once more to Newcastle, and bring on 1998.

25 Sep 1997: Johns in or out?

Andrew Johns has been released from hospital and now looks likely to play for Newcastle on Sunday.

24 Sep 1997: Grand Final teams

Manly have decided not to appeal the decision to suspend Jim Serdaris. Cliff Lyons will replace Serdaris at hooker. Meanwhile, Andrew Johns has a punctured lung and is in some doubt for Newcastle. Teams for Sunday are:

Manly: S Nevin, D Moore, C Innes, T Hill, J Hopoate, G Toovey (c), C Field, N Kosef, D Gartner, S Menzies, M Carroll, C Lyons, N Tierney. Reserves: S Fulton, A Colella, A Hunter, D Gillespie, A Torrens, D Durdevic, C Underwood.

Newcastle: R O'Davis, D Albert, A MacDougall, O Craigie, M Hughes, M Johns, A Johns, L Dynevor, M Glanville, A Muir, W Richards, P Harragon (c), B Peden, T Butterfield (one to be omitted). Reserves: T Fletcher, S Conley, B Clements, L Jackson, S Crowe, B Grogan, M Gidley, J Moodie, E Cochrane.

David Manson will be the referee. FootyTAB start is 7.5 to Newcastle.

23 Sep 1997: Jimmy misses out

A heartbroken Jim Serdaris has been suspended for one week for a careless tackle on Simon Bonetti, and will miss the Grand Final. Serdaris' incisive dummy half play has been a feature of Manly's victories in recent weeks, and the Eagles are likely to appeal the decision. A possible team change may see Kosef come in at five-eighth, with Toovey at dummy half. Neil Tierney, also involved in the tackle, has been exonerated.

22 Sep 1997: Grand Final Number Three!

It will be Manly and Newcastle slogging it out for the Optus Cup on Sunday, after two spine-tingling matches at the SFS on the weekend. The Eagles got home in a heart-stopping thriller, defeating Sydney City 17-16. An incredibly tight first half saw the Roosters leading 6-4, but then Manly hit back to set up a 16-6 lead with 17 minutes remaining. Two late Roosters tries left the match at 16-16 until a Craig Field drop-goal just a few minutes before the siren got the Eagles home.

Field was outstanding for Manly, as were Anthony Colella, Neil Tierney, Geoff Toovey and Daniel Gartner. Danny Moore was hero and villain, twice dropping the ball to let the Roosters score, but saving a certain try and setting up another.

In Saturday's game, Newcastle defeated North Sydney 17-12 to advance to their first Grand Final. Nik Kosef will return for Manly after serving a one match suspension, but the Eagles could be without Jim Serdaris and Neil Tierney, both of whom will appear before the judiciary tonight for a spear tackle on Simon Bonetti.

So Sunday will be the Big One - Manly will be raging favourites to take out their second successive premiership. I've got my ticket - have you?

17 Sep 1997: Teams for Sunday

The fall-out continues from Sunday's game, with three Manly players now accusing Newcastle's Tony Butterfield of spitting on them. Meanwhile, teams for this weekend's clash with Sydney City are:

Manly: Nevin, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Gartner, Gillespie, Menzies, Carroll, Serdaris, Tierney. Res: S Fulton, Hunter, Colella, Lyons, Torrens, Durdevic, Underwood

Sydney City: Walker, Elsegood, Cleary, Rigon, Sing, Fittler (c), Lam, Gaffey, Ricketson, Gourley, Hermansson, Bonetti, Barnhill. Res: Garlick, Miles, Fletcher, Wood, Allan, Clarke, Logan, Lowrie

16 Sep 1997: Kosef out!

Nik Kosef has been suspended by the ARL judiciary for one week for his awkward attempt at a charge down. Kosef's suspension will be a big blow to Manly as they prepare for their sudden-death clash with Sydney City on Sunday. The more than capable Anthony Colella will most likely come into the starting line-up to take his place.

15 Sep 1997: Manly march on

Manly-Warringah shook off the late season jitters yesterday with a convincing 27-12 win over Newcastle at the SFS. The Eagles raced to a 12-0 lead after ten minutes, but the Knights fought back to go to the break down 16-8. The second half was a gruelling affair, but Manly stormed home with two late tries to wrap it up.

Terry Hill and Jim Serdaris were on fire for Manly, while Steve Menzies, Craig Innes, Anthony Colella, Daniel Gartner and Shannon Nevin also had big games [and a special mention to the lass behind me who screamed ``We love you Shannon'' for 80 minutes straight]. Bob Fulton experimented with the line-up, starting the game with Gillespie and Colella, while leaving Field and Tierney on the bench. Nik Kosef may be cited for a much-talked-about attempted charge down, which ended up with him injuring Matthew Johns.

Manly will now face an in-form Sydney City on Sunday, the winner going on to play either Newcastle or North Sydney in the Grand Final the following week. The season is over for both lower grades however, reserves going down to South Queensland 32-16, while the under-20s losing to the Roosters 18-16.

11 Sep 1997: Teams for Sunday

Manly: Nevin, Moore, Innes, Hill, Hopoate, Toovey (c), Field, Kosef, Gartner, Menzies, Carroll, Serdaris, Tierney. Reserves: S Fulton, Colella, Lyons, Gillespie, Hunter

Newcastle: Hughes, Albert, Grogan, Craigie, MacDougall, M Johns, A Johns, Glanville, Muir, Peden, Harragon (c), Clements, Butterfield. Reserves: Richards, Fletcher, Crowe, Dynevor, Conley, Jackson, Cochrane

FootyTAB: Newcastle +4.5

08 Sep 1997: First round of finals

Manly will face Newcastle on Sunday, after the Knights disposed of Parramatta yesterday. The ridiculous finals format means that the result of this match will be irrelevant. Win or lose, Manly must win on the following weekend to make the Grand Final.

In reserve grade, Manly had a 24-22 win over Sydney City, while the under 20s went down 21-20 to South Sydney. The lower grades are both now in a sudden-death situation.

Summary of next week's games:

01 Sep 1997: Minor premiers!

Manly-Warringah are the ARL minor premiers for the third successive year, after defeating South Sydney 36-18 at Brookvale yesterday. Manly trailed 18-16 at half-time, but lifted somewhat in the second half to run away with it.

The Eagles led the Optus Cup ladder from round one, finishing on 32 points for 1997, three points clear of Newcastle and Parramatta. The club retain the J.J. Giltinan Shield, now awarded to the minor premiers rather than the premiers.

Wins in reserve grade and under 20s on the weekend mean a top seven finish in all three grades. The first grade side will have the week off before playing either Parramatta or Newcastle on Sunday week at the SFS. The reserve grade side finished sixth and will play a sudden-death minor qualifying final against Sydney City on Friday night, while the under-20s side came third and will play Souths on Sunday. The Manly club finished second overall in the Club Championship, behind Parramatta.

Earlier stories: [Jan 97 | Feb 97 | Mar 97 | Apr 97 | May 97 | Jun 97 | Jul 97 | Aug 97]

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29-Sep-1997
Bryan Gaensler
bgaensler@dunlap.utoronto.ca