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Now that I'm living closer to the action again I can't wait to get to Brookvale ASAP to see Manly play. There's nothing like the atmosphere of a live game (that is, when we win of course)! Will have no fingernails left after tonight's game, especially as Manly have lost some of their best (Innes, Carroll). Worried about the forward pack, though Colella looked pretty good last year. Hope our new goal kicker can handle the pressure tonight also. Would've love to have seen Phil Blake back in Manly colours. Oh well..... Good luck to our boys - what a bummer it's Black Friday though......

Simone (feeling rather superstitious)
Sydney

P.S. Everyone seems happy about a unified RL comp this year but over the next 2 years we may see some problems, especially for the Sydney teams who will face amalgamation or worse. This seems to be mainly based on their geographical location rather than on how well they do. Still a bone of contention with me..... North Qld or Adelaide can probably play like crap & still stay in the comp.

Dear Fellow Manly Supporters,

I'm looking forward to a big game tonight, as I'm sure we all are. I know our boys have what it takes to match it with the evil Brisbane. I'm not being so bold as to tip a scoreline, but I am sure that Manly can come away with a win. I'm glad it's being televised live, and not the usual delayed stuff.

Anyway, go you magnificent Sea Eagles in '98. I hope to see everyone at Brooky next week and throughout the season.

Darren Churchill
Kaleen ACT

I am a Knights Supporter and I thought I'd have a look at what was written about us. It's really pleasing to read that a lot of Manly suppoters have not bagged the Knights but have actually congratulated them on their win in the grand final. It's only natural that some of you are going to call us "sick" and "unsportsman like". I agree with you , I think that Adam McDougall stood on Tooveys face intentionally and should have been penalised, that was a stupid move. I want you to remember this, Newcastle kept Manly scoreless in the second half and that takes a bloody good team to stop them from doing that. No one outside of Newcastle gave the Knights a chance and even some of us thought that they couldn't do it, but they did. Newcastle is a close community and we stand by each other, a load of garbage you might think but it's true, you only have to look at our history to see that, we love our team and it still makes us extremely proud that they beat such an excellent team in the grand final

tania

I don't know about anyone else but everyone that I talk to seems to think that because we have lost a couple of trial games & a few players, we are gone for the season.As far as I can remember under Bozo's coaching if we go back through the years we have lost more trial games than we have won.He seems to use these to look at various combinations etc.Parramatta supporters seem to think they have achieved something when they have beaten us in two 30 minute halfs of football in the wind & rain with one of the 30 minutes cancelled as three were supposed to be played.It's good to see them out in force again though this year as they will be back in hibernation come the summer.

.......Has anyone seen the side that will be taking on Brisbane first up.Yes it might be a bit under strength as from last year but I tell you what there is not to many sides capable of matching it with them & I certainly will be taking a bit of the 8-5 points start on offer with sportsodds.Manly love playing big games & I can't see any reason why we can't walk away with the two points.

.......Hope to see everyone back at Brooky & the League's club this year

cheers WOODY from The CENTRAL COAST

P.S......My improvers for the year-------PENRITH
............My losers for the year-----------CRONULLA
............Premiers for the year------------MANLY

Sea Eagles fans are invited to spend Saturday morning (14 March) celebrating the start of the new season with a showing of the classic rugby league film, THIS SPORTING LIFE (PG), in the company of LOOSEHEAD grass roots rugby league magazine.

Directed by Lindsay Anderson, This Sporting Life was filmed during the cold winter of 1962-3 at his home town club, Wakefield Trinity. The brutal realism owes much to the grim surroundings of the Belle Vue Stadium, and the Trinity team - very convincing extras. "From its virtuoso opening shot of a rugby scrum - from the bottom, looking up - to its final emotionally draining moments, THIS SPORTING LIFE is a captivating, visceral film experience" said Time Out.

Actor Richard Harris, an accomplished rugby player, plays Frank Machin, a beastial and tormented factory worker thrown into the first team. Harris was nominated for an Academy Award for the role, and gave "an extraordinary gut wrenching performance reminiscent of young Marlon Brando".

Based on a novel by David Storey, who also wrote the screenplay, the movie is a semi autobiographical account of Storey's own experiences. Storey paid his way through art college in London, by travelling north each weekend to turn out for the Leeds A team, and later wrote a stage play, also set at Wakefield - The Changing Room.

Don't miss this rare opportunity to see a rarely screened classic on the big screen - in its original, gritty, detailed black and white. This Sporting Life, is a timely reminder of the working class roots of rugby league, and is brought to you by the magazine that hasn't taken the pay TV dollar - Loosehead, written by and for rugby league fans.

At: The Encore Cinema
Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Sydney
11.00am
Saturday 14 March 1998

Reserve your tickets by calling 02 9557 1406. Manly fans bearing season tickets or wearing club colours will be given a free copy of Loosehead with their movie ticket.

Help!!!

I'm desperate to see the Manly - Brisbane opening game. I don't think it's being shown over here (UK).

Is there anyone daft enough out there who'd tape some games for me??? I'll make it worth your while or maybe tape something over here you want???

I'd also die for the Origin games!!!

If any kind hearted aussie out there can help(is there such a person???) please e mail me at jwoconno@bradford.ac.uk.

People mailing 'piss off y'pommie bastard' needn't bother!!!!

Cheers then
John

Well i just want to congradulate the team on great effort and great team work and just one question, when is Cliff gonna retire?

Well fellow Manly fans, another season is upon us. This year is the first of the new NRL and another chance to prove that Manly is the best there is.

Just a few points, first, the new strip and emblem. The strip is good (as I live in Adelaide, the only way I have got to see it is through the club magazine). It is not flashy but I for one have no problems with it. The emblem was in need of a change and I think that the new design is pretty good.

Second point, the team itself. We have lost Gillespie, Nevin, Carroll, Innes and Moore. I still feel that we have one of the best teams in the premiership. The forwards still have the likes of Menzies, Kosef, Gartner, Serdaris, Tierney and Coella and while they probably lack aggression, they are still one of the best in the game. The backs are still potent. With Toovey leading the way and the likes of Hill, Hopoate, Field, Lyons and Hancock, we have good speed and experience. And Luke Phillips, who I saw a lot of in '97 through Galaxy pay TV is a good goal kicker and a fine winger.

Well, here is to defending the "20 Team Premiership" that we won in 1996!

Peter Hunter (Adelaide)

Hi fellow Sea Eagle fans!

Did you see or hear about last week's crowd at the Charity Shield match between Souths and Saints? If you didn't the official attendance was 28,310. What a sensational crowd for the NRL and also Souths. If us Manly fans can get out to as many games as possible this year, we will give our side a great chance of survival,as well as a great boost to our premiership asperations. I have some words that will best describe the coming season.Crowds,Premiership,Survival. If everybody involved with the Mighty Sea Eagles go by that saying, it's sure to be a great season and future for our beloved Sea Eagles.

Cameron Faico.

I've just been to the trial match at Wyong and although we lost was pleased with what i saw. Phil Blake must stay with Manly this year if we are going to threaten the likes of Brisbane. He was very good returning the ball from fullback and adds some pace and flair to the back line. Luke Phillips was pretty good on the wing (Better than Danny Moore ever was)but his goal kicking didnt live up to expectations but the conditions may have been difficult.

Manly got off to a poor start and i thought we were going to struggle this year but as the game went on we went better and better and things are looking good for a top 6 spot this year.

The best thing was that after the poor attendance at the grand final the Manly fans out numbered the Norths fans 4 to 1 which is what we need every week if we want to stand alone beyond 2000.

I'm a bit worried about how the Sea Eagles will go in 98 - talk about a "rebuilding phase". I really think that the management will be regretting letting Nevin go, although I don't know anything about Luke Philips - he could turn out to be brilliant for all I know. And Spud - I'm sad that he's gone. He was one player who really put his heart and soul into the game.

However, no team that has Toovey, Menzies, Gartner and Kosef can be expected to lie down, and I'm looking forward to watching the Sea Eagles in the finals this year :)

Katherine

You're list of new players did not include an "old player" who is trialling for a contract. None other than the everywhere man, Phil Blake. He scored 2 tries in the Mudgee trial. Apparently both props went well in the trial. Still haven't forgiven Manly's second half GF effort. Can anyone out there in NET land tell me what transpired at half time? Been following the Eagles for 27 years. Does any one have any comments on the new jersey?

Graham

I have been a Manly supporter since 1970 and it has been a hard job especially as I live in Newcastle .I am usually devastated when Manly lose but it really gave our City a tremendous boost .I also wish the club could have kept Shannon Nevin as I believe he could be a Superstar .It is time however to get rid of the deadwood and rebuild again ! My main worry is Craig Field he is not a team man and has never been a team man I wish Bozo would pull him aside and tell him to pull his head in .My favourite players over the years are Terry Randall ,Graham Eadie ,Russell Gartner ,Max Krillich ,Phil Lowe , Dale Shearer ,Kerry Boustead ,Michael O'Connor ,Geoff Toovey ,Matthew Ridge , Nik Kosef and Daniel Gartner .Gee what a team they could make .Anyway stick with Manly even if they could be going through tougher times we know that they will be Champions again soon !

Paul Ross evenpar@aljan.com.au

Great News the League is united once more! I've been overseas for 2 & 1/2 years and miss watching the Mighty Sea Eagles play at Brookie. The feeling you have when Manly beat any of the other top sides is awesome. I ran into Mat Dunford in The Redback Tavern (Acton, London) before christmas and let him know what a legend I thought he was. Dan Gartner is also a legend. I have to admit I loved crunching Tooves back in the good old schooly days. Just thought I'd throw that in.

John Wilkinson

Canterbury supporter writing.

Glad for your club's sake that Arko has a back seat. Always tainted your image with the "main act" of Rugby League being so close to such a rich and competitive club as yourselves.

You guys have always had a great football side on the paddock. I remember cheering your 1st GF win. Jones,F. (the flick passes!!).

Thanks for a great GF 1997. Brilliant RL.

All the best foe '98.

.......but GO the Doggies (while we last)

The thought of Hoppa, Jacin Sinclair & Craig Field in the backline at the same time sends a shudder down my spine. That's all we need. A backline that's chock full of the angry pills and a forward pack that has almost zero menace.

I am very worried about our shortage of props now that Spud and Cement have left. It will be interesting to see if Gartner or Serdaris opt to take on the position of prop, perhaps with Tooves playing hooker and dummy half like he has in State of Origin.

I am very worried that Innes has left. I can understand him wanting to be with his girlfriend in NZ, and the chance to play for Auckland in Super 12 & the All Blacks in a (genuine) World Cup must be a huge incentive, no matter how much he likes Manly. I wish he wasn't going, but I wish him all the best.

On a more positive note, I look forward to seeing more of Colella and Hunter in first grade.

I can't wait for Canterbury (without Timu), Brisbane (without Lazarus and Mundine), Cronulla (without Nikau) & Canberra to come to Brookie.

See ya there.

Antony

Does anyone know who former Manly junior Chris Ryan has signed with for season '98? Now that the Western Reds are defunct he must be looking for a club? Surely he would be a good replacement considering the backline departures during the off-season - good attacking player, solid in defence & a goal kicker. He would have to be a better chance of playing First Grade than Jacin Sinclair.

It's all very good to have the best team, but you don't win premierships when you sell every decent player. What's the story with Craig Innes, Danny Moore, Mark Carroll, John Hoppoate. What the hell are they doing?

Great to see the Eagles on the WEB. I am still on a mega dose of Prozac after the shattering loss to the Knights. I still can't believe we lost that game !! With the experience on that side we should have wrapped that game up with 20 minutes to go, Jimmy's steady go forward was sorely missed.

Anyway let us look to 1998 with a positive outlook although I am concerned as to who will play front row with the loss of Spud and the retirement of Gillespie. Tierney is a good impact player but I can't see him carrying the game to the likes of Lazarus, Harragon Gee etc. for 24 rounds or whatever. There is nothing in the lower grades aside from a kid called Dragan but he is too young for first grade. I hope Bozo is not considering Weepu or Corey Underwood !!

Can't agree with all the comments on the page lamenting the loss of Shannon Nevin, he is not worth $230K and although he played pretty well when Hancock (I am not a fullback...) got injured he is still pretty much a liability under the bomb, can't tackle my grand mother head on and is a 70% kicker at best. Good luck to Shannon for getting the contract he signed.

As ungrateful as it may sound Danny Moore's departure is a blessing, talk about a weak link !! All the opponents had worked him out and he was causing us grief on the wing.

Go the Eagles in 98 (at last with a decent jersey... after that Pepsi billboard)

Mario Recuero (recuero_m@stgeorge.com.au)

Being a Manly supporter since I was a kid, I was naturally shattered by the result in the Grand Final. Manly were the better team for the vast majority of the game, however, we didn't put the Knights away when we had our chances. Whilst that may have in part been due to Manly not taking good options near the end of the game, it was also attributable to some dogged determination from the Knights. For that, credit must go where it is due, to the Newcastle team. Even though they were outplayed, the Knights managed to stay close enough to remain in the game....& they eventually won. So the Knights are the premiers in 1997.

This, however, is another year! 1998 will again see the Eagles soar high. Only 1 team from last year's Grand Final will be there to contest the 1998 premiership decider, & they wear maroon & white. Go the mighty Sea Eagles.

im not a manly supporter but i do like Geoff Toovey. He is a true hard worker who will bring out the best in the game. although he does whinge a bit you find that with alot of players. I was supporting Newcastle in the grand final because it was time a team and home town who needed some hope and happiness to get something that would bring everyone together. i think if manly had won the celebrations wouldnt have been so big (you just had to look at how far the Knights fans lined up, nearly 30km from Newcastle). Taking nothing away from the manly team they are a great side but Newcaslte winning the grand final put hope and spirit into everyone who watched, played and ran the game. Congratulations to the manly team for being so humble in your defeat and realising the better side on the day won. All the best in 98.

HI,ITS THE EAGLE ROCKER,'COME ON MANLY FANS!IF YOU WENT TO THE GRAND FINAL YOU WOULD HAVE SEEN THE CROWDS FROM MANLY COMPARED TO NEWCASTLE.WASN'T IT AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE!THE WHOLE STADIUM WAS A SEA OF RED AND BLUE NOT THE GREAT COLOURS OF THE SEA EAGLES,MAROON AND WHITE.IN THE FINAL 10 MINUTES THE NEWCASTLE CROWD GOT BEHIND THEIR SIDE AND LIFTED THEM TO VICTORY.HAD IT BEEN THE OTHER WAY AROUND,I'M SURE THE EAGLES WOULD HAVE SOARED TO VICTORY!SEA EAGLE FANS GET OUT THERE AND PURCHASE YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY!GET BEHIND YOUR SIDE ALSO BY DRESSING IN MANLY COLOURS WHEN YOU GO OFF TO THE GAMES.
EAGLES WILL BE GREAT

Hi dudes im still shattered after the loss to Newcastle, after '95 i didnt think it could happen again but it did. Now why have we lost Nevin that bloke is a champion he sure is not as good as Ridge but who ever was. Carroll will be a shame to lose as he is one of the toughest fowards around. Gillespie it was time he went he is only a shadow of his former self. Danny Moore for years i've been hoping they would kick that prick out, finally thank god he's gone.Hopoate i understand his future is up in the air i just hope they dont let him slip away as well he's simply marvellous. But i've got to give a huge shout out to the best player ever to play the game,he is the answer to why we lost two grand finals......Jim Serdaris....the legend a true champion if he had been in the other two we surely would have won. To all you Manly supporters out there your all champions.

p.s.- If Manly is looking for a new player tell them to look me up i'd love nothing better than a chance to send Harragon to hospital.

Alex...

I THINK GEOFF TOOVEY IS THE GRTEATEST PERSON THAT HAS EVER PLAYED FOOTBALL IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYERS APART FROM JACK ELSEGOOD AND MY MUM

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