More comments are here.
Hi fellow Manly fans! Just a quick note to say that you are all legends and that Manly is the best team ever.TEZZA, IF YOU'RE READING THIS I THINK YOU'RE THE SEXIEST MAN ALIVE!!! TOOVES YOU'RE A CHAMP AND I LOVE YOU! I'm glad that it's one comp this year because I'll be able to see Manly play live!!! I CAN'T WAIT!!! Manly's #1 fan. I love Terry Hill!
Lisa
Adelaide.
Regarding the news of one competition next year - I suppose some sort of truce had to be put in place in order for rugby league to survive. Not all fans will be pleased, understandably, given that some Sydney clubs look like having to merge. In that aspect Murdoch and cronies got their way. Though I'm not a great Norths fan I think we Manly supporters should be grateful their club is relocating to survive. That means our club can stay the way it is. I still don't understand why cutting down the number of Sydney clubs became such a huge issue with Super League* given that the survey they conducted showed that most people were happy with 20 teams. A two-tier competition for next year should have been trialled.
Simone
* This name now happily defunct
I'm a proud supporter who thinks that Manly are too good for any other team in the world. I believe we need to spend our money on some decent Cheer Girls because i get bored of watching our beloved sea Eagles
WE HAVE SUCH A GROOMED AND ELITE SIDE OF FANTASTIC PLAYERS. I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE SOME OF THE GARBAGE I'VE READ ON THE SIDE WHEN I GO TO THE 'MANLY-HATERS SITE'. THE PEOPLE WHO GO ON HAVE NOTHING AT ALL TO SUBSTANTIATE THEIR MALICE COMMENTS. IT'S JUST SO SAD THAT AUSTRALIANS WON'T ACCEPT SUCCESS. IT'S A CLASSIC CASE OF 'THE TALL POPPY' SYNDROME, JEALOUSY BREEDS CONTEMPT, AND THIS IS EVIDENT.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M SURROUNDED BY 'LOYAL' MANLY SUPPORTERS THAT KNOW MORE ABOUT THE SIDES HISTORY THAN SOME OF THOSE UNEDUCATED, INTELLECTUAL WASTELANDS THAT CAN'T EVEN JUSTIFY THEIR STUPID COMMENTS!!!
GO THE MIGHTY SEA EAGLES!!!! ANY MANLY SEA EAGLE FAN IS A FRIEND OF MINE!!!
I have been a Manly fan since the I was about 8 and have stuck by the team through thick and thin over the last 15 years. At the beginning of this year I transfered to the University of Newcastle, which as a Manly fan, was very traumatic around finals time. Even lecturers where plugging the pack of posers called Newcastle. I hope we put those pathetic yobbos back in their place in 98.
On a positive note, my boyfriend moved to Harbord so now we are in Eagles territory and it is like a home away from home. Such a relief not to see "Go Knights" signs on car, house or hospital windows or red and blue streamers on car antennes. They are a pathetic bunch up there. The best part is that I don't have to see those bloody Johns brothers on TV anymore - who really cares what security system they use I ask you!!!
Very disappointed to see Shannon Nevin go. He has real talent and is a big loss for the club.
That's my bit for today, I shall return soon
Regards
Jackie M.
I have to agree to a certain extent about letting alot of the lower grade players go as we have not had as many injuries to the major players in the last couple of years & it would be interesting to see how we went if we did get a few.Not that I would like to see that. We now have as far as I'm concerned to many wingers in the club & I have heard a little rumour that you might find Hoppa leaving the club. I don't know about anyone else but I just keep looking at that Super League Australian side on paper (as I would not watch them) & thinking,well I don't know what I'm thinking,I just burst out laughing,I can't help it.I don't know what I laugh at more '' Saddam Hussain taking on the Americans again'' or ''The Super League Australian side''........I do have sore ribs.
cheers WOODY from the CENTRAL COAST
Great site !
I still can't believe Manly let Shannon Nevin go to Balmain. He tried so hard in the second half of the season and did much better than expected.
The decision to release/let go of a number of the most talented Reserve Grade players also seems a bit strange :
* Brendan Magnus - the best attacking player in the Seconds and with a good passing game - Cliffy can't last forever.
* Brett Warton - good attacking fullback who may have played firsts next year with Nevin gone.
* Robert Johnstone - tough tackling Captain Courageous - not very big but always played his heart out.
* Craig Halden - the attacking spark for the Under 20s.
I hope Manly don't get many injuries next year as their Reserves will be pretty limited - just hope they don't let Shayne Dunley go next.
PS Does anyone have a theory on whether Manly want Hopoate to leave or are they really that strapped for cash they can no longer afford him ?. Can't wait for Season '98 - with the Crushers gone and Souths and Saints much stronger all 11 teams should be really competitive.
MAGNIFICENT MANLY MAINLY MANAGE MASSIVE MASSACRES by MANIPULATING MANY MARVELLOUS MOVES !
I went to a friday night game at Brookvale earlier this year and it was the worst $10 I have ever spent. Not because of the game but because the place was full of under aged pissed, stoned, drop-kick surfies. Im not suggesting that all manly supporters are like that - only a small minority. Many of you are probably half decent, this but you should have a look at the image these lobotomized morons convey to others.
Very, very, very dissapointed about Nevin going instead off Danny Moore. The management team has made one serious mistake there and in a couple of years we'll be hearing of this great full-back who started out at manly, gee, does Phil Blake, Mathew Ridge or Ivan Cleary spring to mind.
After seeing the performances of Mathew for NZ and Auckland I'd have to say he is probably regretting the decision to leave Manly. From an outsiders point of view I think the pressure has got to him and bein the type of person he is, Mathew only knows how to do one thing, win, and he can't do it with Auckland.
Still waiting to hear what the deal is with Mathew Rodwell and who has signed him, here's hoping he doesn't join the joke of a team, Melbourne Storm. Gee common sense would of said wait a year for that. And whilst we're talking rugby in general, I saw Gold Coast pulled our of the merger. You selfish pricks, just remember where they've been till this year, hell, they would of been happy if the u12's brisbane netball team had wanted to merge with them last year. It has to be said, only the healthy will surive.
And last but not least, we just had the knights up here doing a promo visit. They wore blue singlets and stubbies the whole time, typical, bunch of yobbos. Well, I guess you can forgive them cause unlike Manly, they don't know when there next premiership might be, probably when Norths is.
JK
Darwin
Love the site love the picture's & yes i hate every other team in the competition.I spent grand final night screaming and headbutting walls .It brought back that bad taste i had in my mouth after that scumbag pack pricks the Bulldogs beat us in 95 .I was not suprised too see how many Manly Haters there are here on the south side of the habour, But the whole state from the premier down were into us .Isn't it typical of these spineless arseholes .If we would have won the game the newscast would not of been contined passed the first week . Who Cares anyway we will come back and make all those teams supporters miserable again next year when we rub there stupid face's into the turf at brookie. That Grand Final proved we are not the whingers We are the best side in the Rugby league and thats something they will never take away from the Mighty Sea Eagles............................
We might have lost nevin to the tigers but we will get over it just like we did when ridge left
I cannot believe the rubbish I am reading from these other people. Manly had the full run of the ARL, most of the other best teams had gone to Super League and yet they still could not win the final.
P.S. If I was going to stomp Toovey I would have sharpened my spikes first.
Well what can you say after the release of Nevin. It makes me wonder about all the other players Manly has let go over the years and which of these players cou ld make the current team. I guess Ivan Cleary is one player we could still use at fullback. Solomon Haumono is one other that seemed to preform better at Manly than he does at the "Berry's". Fabio is no great loss.
Maybe some other comments on other expatriates and their ability to make the current team could be interesting.
Hang-on here's a thought- maybe over this summer Bozo will be coaching Scott how to play fullback in '98 (God I hope not).
Living in Perth (an ARL no-zone) is unbearable for us long-term Manly Supporters . When I came west in 1990 there were Manly jerseys everywhere - Now I hardly see any. To Whittaker and the rest of the mob, Stop pretending it's a game for the spectators or give us something to spectate. Super Crap is too predictable - Manly never spent $300m on winning a premiership.
If anyone in Perth would like to see some videos of some manly games this year - drop me a line and let me know as I have a few sent from ARL land. Greg (long term supporter) in Perth (hales@cyllene.uwa.edu.au)
I am an English rugby fan (of Wigan), and I've just been checking out your homepage. The reason I checked out the page is that it is virtually impossible to get information about the ARL in the UK, as English Rugby sold its soul to Murdoch in exchange for the SKY millions. As a result, we get loads of info on ASL, while we try and pretend that teams like Manly never existed!
Anyway, all I wanted to say was that I hope that a unified competition materialises soon, as an Australia side without Geoff Toovey is a bit of a joke. I was at the 1995 world cup final and he was the difference between England and Australia. Hope he's back for the next world cup, although we've got more chance of winning if he's not...
Any rugby fans are more than welcome to e-mail me. I live in an area which is mostly concerned with rugby (bleaah!) union, so it would be nice to hear from real rugby fans.
Martin
Oh yeah, my address :- M.Marshall@rhbnc.ac.uk
The Manly management have made an incredible decision and let our great local junior, Shannon Nevin go to Balmain. I am very disappointed as it was great to see another local junior rise to first grade ranks with the mighty Sea-Eagles. Why buy someone else from bloody Queensland again?? Even if he is a "winger/goal kicker". How they can justify keeping unreliable players like Danny Moore (who almost cost us the game against Sydney City) and letting go quality performers like Shannon is beyond me. Nevin played great after being brought in to the side after Hancock was injured and filled the kicking duties brilliantly too.
Sure, Shannon made one in-goal area fumble in the Grand Final but compensated with some great goals and a try to boot!!! Now he's gone and who is to blame? I think it is very short sighted and does nothing for the spirit of the club. Anyway, Summer is coming.....
Carl (I am not impressed) of Collaroy.
By sheer bad timing it appears my upcoming move to the Central Coast might coincide with a new football team being put there. For ages we've been told it's going to be Norths, although I did read today that the Mariners might end up in the area. It seems strange to me that a club can just move their team somewhere else and expect two miracles: 1. that everyone who lives in the new area will suddenly embrace the new side; & 2. that old supporters of that team will make pilgrimages every second weekend for the "home" games. I suppose it would be easier for the Mariners to try to establish themselves somewhere else as they are not really well-entrenched (or liked) in the Newcastle area. I don't like their chances on the Central Coast either though. As for Norths, it's obvious they don't want to have to merge with Manly (if that becomes a necessity) given that there won't be many of their side included in a merged team. But even if Norths moved, surely most people on the Central Coast who like RL already support their own club. Oh well, I know this little black duck won't be switching teams. I assume you won't either Woody!
Speaking of Manly, I read with trepidation about Spud possibly leaving. I just have one request: PLEASE DON'T GO SPUD!!!!! Your enthusiasm and passion would be sorely missed in coming seasons, especially with my No. 1 player Cliffy due to hang up his boots in the next year or so.
Simone
Port Macquarie
Hey JK of Darwin
I'm with you! Manly WERE the better team for three quarters of the grand final. Newcastle out-muscled them and the stomping incident was deplorable. I too think BOTH the Fultons should go - the coach has turned the team into a bunch of whingers. There is no need for a side as talented as Manly to carry on like that - Toovey used to be such a good-sported little tough guy. Now he has lost a lot of the admiration he deserves, due to his almost constant backchatting of referees.
True to form Manly have let yet another talented local junior go - Shannon Nevin did everything right and Frank Stanton said the club didn't have enough money to keep Nevin. How about letting some of the useless imports, such as Danny Moore, go? That guy is hopeless under the high ball! The Manly committee better wake up to themselves or people like me who have followed the club for decades, despite living interstate, will give the game away altogether.
Disgusted.
Hi fellow Eagles
Great to read all your comments on the best web site in the world. Just a couple of items to mention.
Spud is on the market and I hope this loyal eagle finds a good home. I can only reckon this is due to the new points system introuduced by the ARL for the 1998 season which is quite restrictive and unfair.
The Manly Hate Page.What a joke from an uneducated Norths supporter(is there any other kind?).Mind you following such a team who havent won in nearly 70 years they do get very jealous of the tallest poppy,the mighty Manly.
Soar high Manly supporters,98 belongs to the eagles.
Later,
Izzy.
I have been a supporter of Manly since I can remember. I am now 20. I still have a Manly Jersey from when they were sponsored by Wormald. I live in the heart of whinger...I mean Super League country. I get lotsa crap but I take in my stride, as Toovey may talk to much, Hopoate too much of a smart arse, Hill's a loose cannon, but hey these boys have heart. They should now be called the Manly Big Hearts cause thats what they are!! People only complain about Manly because they have got nothing good to say about their own team.
Manly are a legend team, say no more!!
Except we should nominate Cliff Lyons for an Order of Australia for his services to league, Manly and the greater Australian community!!
See you at the top in '98
Peter Cridland
Firstly - Hi to all Manly supports in the known universe ! - for we know there are many! Even if they don't turn up to Grand finals!
Instead of proposing to buy the Johns brothers (for we know they would jump ship if the price was high enough). Why not just buy the Newcastle reserve grade team, wouldn't cost much I'm sure. And turn them into champions - like Manly (& Bozo) does with all unknowns when they join the club. Mind you , they may have to deprogram them of the 'Noble' Knight art of face kicking a guy half your size, & pretending you didn't mean to & you really care for the victim.
As to the 'Manly Haters' page, just remember it was started up by a 'hahehaha' North's supporter! And we all know South's, the Gold Coast & North Queensland will all win a Grand Final before North's ever does - let alone them ever getting into a Grand Final! 'hahahehaha' . Of course it could be possible to start up a web page of 'I hate all the jerks who hate Manly' & ask people to send comments on 'why do they think people who hate Manly are dickheads' but that would be stooping to their moronic level wouldn't it.
Go the Eagles!
I just looked at the manly haters page, what a pathetic piece of crap, all those loosers are just jealous that manly is so good and the team they go for cant match manlys high standard, so I say manly will be back in 1998 and will crap on those crappy knights.
Thanks for the page. I must have a whinge (in true Manly fashion according to the conventional wisdom..) The Newcastle side did great and good luck to them, especially for exploiting the referee's reticence to get too heavy during a gf: the old fashioned take out the playmakers strategy made a significant contribution. But the supporters? The working class good news story doesn't move me, having been out at both the finals encounters between M and N. The biggest cheer of the day at the gf, behind the final matchwinning try, was when Toovey was ironed out in the first half, followed not too far behind by the infamous face stomp. My only thought is that most Newcastle fans must never have played the game, for they have so little respect for those who do. As for Manly, what were they thinking out there? They should have dissolved a packet of prosacs in the water bottle. Their play in the final 20 mins amounted to a 'the door's always open' or a 'you can come and pick it up anytime you like' telegram to Newcastle. Ooey Vey!
Patrick Crogan
I have just finished reading the 'MANLY haters club' & most were pointing out they hate us because of the players we have bought.It seems to me North Sydney supporters(about 10-20 of them,or sorry I know one here on the Coast 21 of them) are still back in the 80's. Correct me if i'm wrong but we have had at least 10 local juniors in the side in the past three years at least.Made three Grand Finals I do believe. Surely Norths can't move up here to the Coast.That would put a dent in the tourism industry .I think The Entrance would have more support. You don't want them up there at Port Macquarie do you Simone??? I also hope the bloke who wrote the 'haters club ' reads this site,which I'm sure he does because the next time '''North Sydney makes a Grand Final,yes not wins one but makes one is the day; ''PLUTO HAS KITTENS''
Cheers Woody from The Central Coast
I know....we should all just have a good laugh at the "Manly Haters Club" and ignore such pettiness, but I find it truly therapeutic to send the odd comment, especially after a bad day. The person concerned won't publish them, so you can say whatever you like just to get it off your chest! Anyway, I responded to the three questions set out on "The Mighty Bears" page (the Manly hater's Norths page) suggesting that the Bears DO move to Gosford and, while they're at it, get a new name: the "Central Coast Chokers". I doubt if my newfound friend at the "Manly Haters Club" will put it up. Oh well. (And I used to have such a soft spot for Norths...).
Simone
Port Macquarie
P.S. Thanks Bryan for this site, it's a great way to get feedback from other Manly supporters. Living a long way from Manly now I miss being around others who support my team.
now there has been a demise in rugby league in W.A. due to the western reds folding in that shit super league contest, spare a thought for us die hard manly supporters who don't get a telecast of rugby. the only manly game i got to see this year was the g.f. but the team did us proud even if they didn't win. hopefully next year there will an amalgamate competition so us ex-pate nsw west australians can have some decent sport instead of having afl rammed down our throats.
c'mon the mighty sea eagles for '98
sean
#1 wa manly supporter
The Manly boys are a bunch of sexy champions. That Toovey, just keeps comming up with the goods. I have never seen a player as great as him. Toovey you are a LEGEND!!! mate. Nik Kosef, would have to sexiest player of them all. I would sure let him bone me. Don't worry about that "loss" on Sunday boys, you are, and always will be the 97 premiers to your fans. It just realy pisses me off, when the bunch up at Newcastle are titled " The working team, and working town". What the fuck do they think we do ther at Manly? Its not like we've never been laid off a job!. Yes we here are a bunch of proud workers too.
I can also explain to the rest of the world why there were so many Knights fans at that game. The reason is; that none of them have any jobs, so come Monday morning when tickets went on sale, they were able to queue out in their thousands, while us hard working Manly people were out working.
GOOD LUCK NEXT SEASON TROOPERS, YES ONCE AGAIN YOU'LL KICK ARSE!!!!!
LUV
I WANNA BONK KOSEF.
O.k.......where can I start?............let me think.........lets start at the greatest Grand Final ever hai? How does that sound? I'm a BIG...no wait....HUGE Knights fan and I just finished writing a little dittee in their writing-area-type-thing and I thought I should probably do the right thing and........RUB IT IN TO THE SEA-EAGLE FANS......but then a face came into my head and introduced himself as a delic young footy player named Shannon Nevin and he told me I should be a gracious winner and write NICE things in this space..........so here I am......that cute face got the better of me...........Manly have played really well this year and I commend them on that but the fact is that they were beaten by a bloody tough Rugby League side known as the Knights. Fair enough there were some UGLY incidents in the game (I'm not going to mention them coz they've been flogged enough) but since when have the Sea-Eagles been such little goodie-two-shoes? (eg. Nik Kosef....Matty Johns....legs taken out....knee owww!!) So yeah, not slaggin the team off or anything.... coz you guys are good but NOT good enough for my darlin Knights!! I agree with most comments though that Manly should keep Nevin coz he IS a talented young player and certainly deserves his spot in the side. As for the gimp who wrote that thing on AFL........what a L*OS*E*R!! Strike three and you're outta here!! So yeah, thats my two bobs worth, AND I behaved myself quite well I think.....you people probably don't agree, but hai sh*t happens when you're a North Queenslander!!
Knight in White Satin
Silkwood, NQ.
Hi. I am a dedicated Manly fan, despite living in Newcastle. I love the Knights but only about half as much as I love the Sea Eagles. I don't think that's it's fair that Nik Kosef got suspended for that spear tackle (which wasn't nearly as bad as it looked) when Adam MacDougall didn't even get penalised for standing on Tooveys face. If that stud had gone about a centimetre higher, Geoff could have lost his eye. MacDougall reckons it was an accident. Well, I don't know about anyone else, but, it DID NOT look like an accident to me. You couldn't half tell it was deliberate. They just wanted to take him out because he's the best. Most of my friends hate Manly because they are rich and they think that they play dirty, but they don't play any dirtier then any other club. I don't care what they say, I'm staying dedicated to the best ARL club in the world. I hope they never go to super league but if they do, I will follow them.
Manly has the best players in the world. Geoff Toovey and Shannon Nevin are my favourite but they are all very talented players. Shannon Nevin should stay with the club. I think he would be a great asset to the Manly side and he's an excellent fullback.
To David Gillespie, You're a legendary player and I'm sure the boys will miss you very much, as will all the Manly supporters. Good Luck for the future. To Cliff Lyons, I'm glad to see you're still going strong, You're are also an amazing player. To the captain, Well what can I say. You're the one who leads the boys to victory in almost every match. You are the best player in the comp and you definetely deserved the Clive Churchill medal last year and again this year. MANLY WILL BE MINER PREMIERS AND PREMIERS IN 1998 AND EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT TOO!!!
LONG LIVE THE MIGHTY SEAEAGLES!!!
Love #1 Manly Fan,
Cassie.
eva3@aljan.com.au
P.S. I wasn't that lass at the match screaming out "I love you Shannon", but I'll just pretend I was, because that's what I would be screaming out 80 mins straight if I was there. So I'll just say it now." I LOVE YOU SHANNON NEVIN!" I hope you stay with Manly.
Oh, sorry, I seem to have stumbled over the wrong page! I was after the Newcastle 'umm..legends' Knights website. Now come on, you have to admit that Newcastle are better then Manly. I mean, everytime Manly got a penalty, they would complain, or though it was so obvirous that the penatly was a decent one. Newcastle just outran you on the day, no hard feeling. But I'm sure you's will be back next year. Hey, I ain't critising yous much! Oh well, I kinda feel sorry for yous you know. I could just imagine how I would feel if that was Newcastle losing. But I'm very happy that Newcastle won for the first time ever. If anyone has any comments regarding what I have wrote, feel free to email me at: lord@australia.net.au and I will write back to everyone who emails me. That's basically it. Manly challanged Newcastle well, and I wish there could be no losers, but there is and unfortuately it's yous this season. Never mind, back next year.
Seeya!
Knights
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE BEST BUNCH OF FOOTY PLAYERS FOR A FANTASTIC EFFORT IN THE 97 SEASON .I AM SO PROUD TO CALL MYSELF A MANLY SUPPORTER (EVEN IF I DO LIVE IN CANBERRA). ALL I CAN SAY IS WE WILL BE BACK EVEN BETTER NEXT YEAR TO KICK BUTT.
Ok so no one else has said it so I will.
Newcastle did not deserve to win. The biggest point being that the chief should of gone off for at least 10 minutes at same stage, and the r sole who booted toovy should of been sent off there and then, it was intentional and there is no two ways about it. Those two factors r crucial as they would of changed the whole outcome of the match.
Dissapointment is an understatment of what I felt, I think it is only the second time I have shed a tear over a sporting event. Toovy deserved the clive churchill again, no question. I feel the stand outs for manly this year were Kosef, Toovey, Lyons and Hill. Field is not to blame. From the games I saw he was hardly ever in the run on side which would be a blow to his confidence, and he seemed to be instructed to throw the ball rather than run it. Don't worry, hell give the summons-provan award a shake next year.
Shannon Nevin should stay. I don't know much about this goal kicker manly has bought but after Danny Moores performance this year(Mr brain explosion himself) and the possibility that Innes may go back to union, surely there is a spot for Nevin.
I also want to see the departures of the Fultons, both scott and bozo. Scott is useless as for Bozo, well, he's been great for Manly but perhaps it's time for a change. Bring in new blood and try new ideas. I wonder if the Fatman is looking at a change in careers or if all can be forgiven for Magic Michael O'Connor.
The Eages will be back, but we still haven't found that replacement for cliffy, Mathew Rodwell has to be an option now the western Reds have folded.
JK
Darwin.
First of all.. Manly is the best team ever. I'd just like to give my thoughts on a few players in the Manly team:
Hoppa: He is a great winger and he has a sensational ability to score tries and also to defend against tough opponents(LIKE THAT TRY SAVER ON SUNDAY AGAINST ANDREW JOHNS). SO WHAT if he goes a bit wild after he scores, i mean on sunday he scored the first try and he was exstatic and he likes to show his feelings so people just should give him a fair go!
Field: He is an agressive player with the ability to make 10-20 metres at a time. He also has a great kicking ability along with nevin and i think that he is a valuble asset to the Manly team.
Last and certainly not least... TOOVEY: What can i say, he is just one of the best (IF NOT THE BEST) player in the world. And as for whatsaname that stomped on him in the grand final... SUSPEND THE BASTARD!!! That was clearly intensional, people think that he didn't mean it because he tried to help afterwards but that was just a poor attempt to make it look like an accident.
Manly will kick ass in '98. GOOD LUCK!!!
P.S:- GREAT PAGE!!!
-Johnny Sambevski
#1 Manly Fan
As a St.George supporter I avidly hated Manly for their habit of buying teams rather than building them. However the Super League garbage made me soften my views, and last year when Manly beat us I felt we were beaten by brothers ( both loyal to the ARL ). That didn't stop me cheering Newcastle on this year, but please pass my congratulations to the side for a wonderful performance this year, no SL side would have got near them, and don't let the turkeys get you down.
Regards, Alan Dunlop.
Manly......... buy the Johns Brothers!!!!!!
After being at the Game on Sunday and watching them lose their second Grand Final in three years, I am still in shock! But I would have to say that after that game, I love the Eagles more athn ever and am awaiting the next season with more anticipation than ever!!!
It really made me realise how good our little halfback Geoff Toovey is. Without a doubt the best half back in the game! Though being a mad Manly supporter for many years I have never REALLY had a favourite player, but after the performance Toovey had in the Grand Final, he unquestionably my favourite player, the guts and spirit he showed that day was not only recognised by the Manly faithful, but the whole Rugby League community.
I think the Manly Commity should really look at themselves if they do decide to let Shannon Nevin go. He has been a junior at Manly from a very young age and has turned out to be a great footballer as show throughout the second half of the season and in the Grand Final. He will definately be an asset to the side in '98 and many years to follow!!
So UP THE EAGS IN '98. THEY'LL BE BACK BIGGER, BETTER AND STRONGER THAN EVER!!!!!!!
Jason of Frenchs Forest.
I LIVE IN DARWIN AND HAVE BEEN A MANLY SUPPORTER ALL MY LIFE,I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE GOT THE BEST AND GUTSIEST PLAYERS IVE SEEN,AND TOO ALL THE MANLY HATERS OUT THERE ""jealousy is a curse""THIS SITE IS EXCELLENT WE DON'T GET MUCH NEWS UP HERE SO EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS .
CMON EAGLES IN 98
PS I RECKON IF ANYTHING MANLY'S CONNECTIONS WITH KEN ARTHURSON AND THE ARL MAKE THEM HAVE TO TRY HARDER TO SHOW THEY ARE NOT BEING GIVEN SPECIAL TREATMENT WHAT DO YOU RECKON.
Commiserations to the Eagles, they played the better football for most of the game but the Knights just took their chances when they got them. A few more supporters at the SFS might have been handy; the Novocastrians did all but bring the steelworks with them! Good luck next year, but just remember, the Bulldogs have got Steve Folkes in charge and the new breed at Canterbury is ready to emerge. The blue-and-white storm will return!
Dion
Manly lose but we were the better team on the day.The Knights were the lucky team.Sadly Manly do not finish teams like they have done in previous seasons.Getting the lead and dropping the bundle is something we expect from flash in the pan sides like Parramatta. A buffer has never been the way of the Eagle.Get the lead then build on it.Rub the opponents faces in it and show that soaring superiority we are legendary for.Easy to say from the sidelines I know.I am proud of my Eagles.Tooves you little champion digger, Tezza you whirlwind athlete,Innes,Cliffy,Spud.I think you are all great and you played well as always.Hoppy is a great player but he almost lost us the game against Sydney City and his head pat on O'Davis turned out to be a dumb move,looking back at how it turned out.
Farewell David Gillespie,one of the most consistent forwards that Manly has ever produced.We will miss you mate.
I must say the crowd at the SFS sucked.There were far too many Newcastle supporters.We were my fellow Eagles?Other people call us bad sports but compared to Newcastle fans we are very polite.Those rude nevilles cheered when Tooves looked badly hurt,sick bastards. One of leagues best ever players gets hurt and they cheer?
Tooves speech was very graceful as was Bozos.We are the best team in the ARL,played the better footy all year and deserved to win the grand final.
The people of Newcastle can shove their fairytale.Bring on the Knights in 98 and we'll show them that this story doesn't have a happy ending.We are going to pound you into oblivion next year. They might get another win after we pound them into the dirt another 11 times.Newcastle supporters are sick.Almost as sick as Parramatta supporters.
The true Sea Eagle walks alone.The tallest poppy is the most despised, that will never change.
Later
Izzy.
Bad luck Manly, any Manly supporter knows you play the best football, & Tooves is the toughest of all, hope you get well soon.
Have a good break & to those who will be there next year, look forward to taking the premiership back. Maybe the club could do a bit to stir up a bit of local support. It was a bit pathetic being at the big game when there was so little Manly supporters, especially when you needed it most.
Good luck in '98
I am a dedicated manly supporter and i would just like to complement you on your page. My favourite player is Geoff Toovey (which i thought had a blinder on sunday.) I am proud to say that 2 wednesdays ago i met Toovey and the Manly team at the Harvey Norman store and he signed my jersey, football and cap as well as giving me 2 tickets to the final against Sydney City. I found him to be especially nice and had a long conversation with him. I also had quite a long conversation with shannon Nevin and he was nice too. I hope with all my heart that Manly keep Nevin and i was impressed with his performance on Sunday.
I was disgusted with the Newcastle side's lack of sportsmanship and the thuggery that the referee alowed. ESPECIALLY when McDougall steped on Toovey's face. I feel that he should be suspended for a lengthy amount of time.
With regards,
Cathy
Bad luck about the lose of the grand final. I found out at 2 in the morning here in the US. Manly should keep Shannon Nevin, he is the best.
I have always been a huge Manly fan and after watching the Grand final loss I would just like to congratulate the team for putting on one of the guttsiest preformances I have ever seen. I am prouder now to be a Manly supporter than I ever have been. So to the entire Manly team, coaching staff and officials congratulations for 1997 and a special thank you to the heart of Manly Geoff Toovey, in the fatman's words "the man's a legend".
In regards to Shannon Nevin, of course he should stay he is a great talent and a lesson should have been learnt by the departure of Ivan Clery, the questions about Craig Field's role in 1998 is simple, his field goal got Manly into the Grand Final, he is one of the games most passionate and dangerous attacking players, a great weapon for Manly 1998 assault. One last thing I wish people would stop having a go at Scott Fulton, so he is not his father, he is still a good strong and reliable player who has never let Manly down, and give Bozo more credit than to say Scott is only there because of his him. Scott is only there because he deserves to be there.
Peter Martin
The impossible happened and Manly-Warringah lost the 1997 Grand Final. What more is there to say but a brutal defence by Harragan & co; opportunistic play by O'Davis & Johns A. and a touch of complacency in the last ten minutes coupled with averse refereeing decisions has undone the Sea Eagles. The gods, not to mention the Sydney Telegraph, the TV media and the whole ARL world were against us but what's new, you may ask. I welcome a Newcastle-Brisbane "super challenge" match to see how many points the Bronco's can score. If Newcastle think they are world-beaters now, let them think that. The event on Sunday was an anomaly or a "miracle" as one knights player described the win. Cliffy the legend & the Sea Eagles will return in 1998 for another year . I hope Napper goes out as part of a premiership winning team. He deserves it. So bring on 1998.
Carl of Collaroy
AS A MANLY FAN I SUPPOSE WE HAVE GOT TO TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD.YOU HAVE TO HAND IT TO NEWCASTLE,WE HAD THE GAME WON TEN TIMES & THEY STUCK IN THERE.CONGRATULATIONS. IT'S NOW TUESDAY & I HAVE FINALLY RECOVERED FROM SUNDAY NIGHT. I WOULD HATE TO THINK WHAT I WOULD HAVE BEEN LIKE HAD WE WON. THE CLUB DOWNSTAIRS WAS A BIT QUIET BUT UP IN THE PLAYERS ROOM IT WAS LIKE WE HAD JUST COME FROM WORLD WAR THREE.ALTHOUGH WE LOST THE SPIRIT WAS STILL THERE AS MOST OF US STILL THOUGHT WE WERE THE BEST SIDE ON THE DAY. TALKING TO GEOFF TOOVEY HE WAS MORE FURIOUS ABOUT HOW PAUL HARRAGAN KEPT GETTING AWAY WITH THE HIGH SHOTS,RATHER THAN THE STOMPING INCIDENT.MAYBE THERE HAS TO BE A RULE BROUGHT IN TO SEND PLAYERS TO THE SIN BIN FOR CARELESS HIGH TACKLES IF IT'S NOT A SEND OFF OFFENCE. ALSO TALKING TO SHANNON NEVIN HE WILL BE TALKING TO MANLY OFFICIALS THIS WEEK.HE DOES WANT TO STAY SO I HOPE THEY OFFER HIM A DECENT PACKAGE BECAUSE I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY MOST OF US WANT HIM TO STAY WITH THE CLUB. ONCE AGAIN WE ALL KNOW MANLY ARE THE BEST SIDE IN THE COMPETITION & COME NEXT YEAR I THINK WE'LL PROVE THAT ONCE AGAIN.
CHEERS WOODY from the CENTRAL COAST
Peter.Woodward@legalandgeneral.com.au
After going out to the SFS on Sunday Im still shocked at our loss. I think Geoff Toovey is the greatest half back in the game just look at his performance on Sunday! I would like to thank Manly players for giving the supporters a great season and better luck in 98'
PS Manly are crazy if they are going to let Nevin go, his going to be a great full back and will be needed in the Manly side next year!
DAVE
North Narrabeen
What a game on Sunday!!!!
Although Parra didn't make the finals, I was glad to see that they were beaten by the eventual winners. Sorry to hear you guys missed out this year. Maybe next year you might be lucky.
P.S Get rid of Hoppa. He gives Manly a bad image!!
P.P.S The ARL grand final was a helluva lot better than that lopsided garbage put on by Super League on Friday night. Super League's game was over in 4 mins!! Atleast Manly can put their heads up high and realise they were in the game for 79 minutes.
Yesterday on Sky TV in New Zealand I watched a great game of Rugby League between two teas intent on winning your Aussie grand prize in League, mind you I am an avid Rugby Union fan "All Blacks". Anyway back to this game I watched yesterday, how both teams were putting their bodies on the line, the competitiveness was apparent to see. I had only one problem, and that was watching the biggest pack of moaning whingers I have ever seen grace a football field, if some of the guys in the Manly team had spent more of their time playing the game and kept their mouth gaurds in and their mouths shut they might of done better, and what about the guy who scored the first try for Manly, where is he today, hiding away I suppose, fancy his arrogance in scoring that try he must of thought they were going to win the game, it was so fitting that the guy he was getting smart to scored two trys and had the last and biggest laugh.
Good on you Newcastle.
Hughes Biddle
Well what a game that was. I can do nothing but praise the Knights for their win, bloody fantastic effort. Apart from Souths or Gold Coast ( I have a real soft spot for the battlers), I couldn't wish for a better team to win a grand final over Manly.
To all you Knights supporters out there, in the next couple of years you'll come to realise how special that win was. When the emotion dies down, that winning smile won't be leaving your face for weeks to come, well done to all of you who have supported them all year, not just those who jumped on the band wagon because their team have lost and they want to see Manly lose.
To the Manly supporters and team, despipte the loss, it WAS a great year, to be beaten like that is no real shame. Newcastle finally showed what they're capable of, and few teams would've even gotten close to them.
Well done the Knights, hope we see again next year in the Grand Final.
Holmsey
(And yes as avid Manly fan, it hurt (but too much) to say congratulations, good on you for a great year to all supporters and teams)
I'm so glad to have ound the site to reply to all those Manly fans who come to the Knights page to bag them out. I was in Newcastle last night to watch the team come in. They were more than two hours late because of the huge numbers of supporters along the freeway. The same was seen on Saturday when they left. The crowd stood in rain and still kept on singing and when the guys arrived it was all worth it. JUST AWESOME!!!! I've watched them play in the crappy weather the Knights have had this year and there are always crowds no matter what. I know you are loyal supporters, you need to be because everyone else hates Manly, but even you guys have got to admit that no one could beat a team with so many behind them. Although I can't stand Manly and there's no team I'd rather have seen the Knights beat on Sunday, I hope we meet you again next year. Same time, same place.
KNIGHTS CHAMPIONS FOR '97
KNIGHTS FOR '98
after that disgraceful display of so called sportsmanship you should get rid of that hopoate goose, he does nothing for the image of your club.
What a pack of losers. No not just Manly but Rugby League, both Super League and ARL, or should I say SRL(you dont seriously think you have a National competition do you?) Everyone knows the only true national comp. is the AFL and it will reign supreme long after all the idiots controlling Rugby League have ruined that game. St Kilda and Adelaide had more spectators at training than most league games can pull.Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions crowds just prove how well AFL is going in supposedly Rugby League teritory.Pull your heads out of your arses and wake up to the fact that both Super and ARL comps are losers and will be stomped into the ground by other sports. Who really cares who wins your meaningless grand final anyway.
Glenn Camer
camerg@tpgi.com.au
Due to circumstances beyond my control i was born a Pom and until recently i thought that the standard of the footy over here was fairly average but my eyes were opened whilst in Oz. The chance to watch King Cliffy peform his magic again was almost to much for me. He has changed little since his days when he played for my club , Leeds , nearly ten years ago. The fact that both the King and the great Marty Gurr both played for Manly led to me supporting them all that time ago. So when i was in Sydney the chance to go and watch the Sea Eagles at every opportunity was not passed up. What really pisses me off though is that i was forced to leave Oz before the finals started so have consequently missed the progress through to the Grand Final , all we get over here are the results and if we are really lucky the scorers. A pile of wank you have to admit , especially considering the only half decent footy i can get over here is the Super League that is shown on the Adolf Murdoch satellite sports channels. Not good enough. Thank god i have found this page , at least now i will keep my sanity and keep up to date with all the goings on.
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