Brave Manly sunk late by Shoremen
By Adam Lucius
What: Shute Shield round 2
Who: Manly v Northern Suburbs
Where: Manly Oval
Result: Norths 25-21
Manly are where on the table: Fifth (6 points)
80 minutes in 80 seconds: A tit-for-tat first half saw both sides score a try each and exchange penalties goals for an 11-8 scoreline in the Marlins’ favour. Norths got the jump early in the second half, scoring their second try to edge ahead 15-11. For the third time in the game, Manly quickly regained the lead – 16-15 - via a try to the impressive Michael Adams. But that was a signal for Norths to up the ante and they effectively put the game to bed with back-to-back tries as Manly centre Kevin Fuavao was cooling his heels in the bin. Manly scored at the death through prop Makani Fuavao to secure a bonus point.
Where it was lost: The Marlins went punch for punch all the way but those back-to-back Norths tries in the last 15 minutes proved a bridge too far. Manly’s effort and commitment on another hot April day could not be faulted.
Marlins' best: Michael Adams, Kotoni Ale, Alex Westgarth, Harry Bergelin
What they said: “It was a really decent effort. We missed a few winning moments and they just finished that bit stronger.” – Manly coach Brian Melrose
Worth a mention: How about Russell ‘Rusty’ Mackie making a cameo in fifth grade at the ripe old age of 71! It was game 378 for this Marlins legend – and they won. Rusty’s made it clear to Billy that he’s available for first grade should injuries hit.
Where to from here: We are on the road south to Forshaw to meet Southern Districts. Both sides are 1-1 after two rounds
We are proud to announce that the starting 15 for our game down in the Shire, and the 3rd game of the Shute Shield 2018 is as follows:
Manly Rugby Football Club is delighted to announce a 3 year Platinum Sponsorship with one of the world’s leading solar providers, WIRSOL Energy. Founded in Germany, WIRSOL has a prominent global presence in the renewable energy sector and have recently commenced their Australian operations, establishing new offices in the heart of Manly.
80 minutes in 80 seconds: We'd need more like 80 hours than 80 seconds to run you through this one try by try. A newcomer to the Shute Shield might have thought he'd walked into a touch footy game by mistake as the five-pointers just kept coming. But while defence wasn't the order of the day, there was some cracking attacking rugby. Wests got the early jump, holding a 28-7 advantage before Manly went bang, bang to make it 28-21. The Marlins took the lead briefly – 40-38 - early in the second half but Wests Harbour was not to be denied. The Pirates finished the stronger, clearing out to an entertaining 10-point victory
Where it was lost: Give credit where credit is due – West Harbour were very good and thoroughly deserved the win. Manly were without a few topliners and had some disruptions during the game, but lacked energy from the get-go. They found something after the break and threatened to steal the game at one stage, but Wests finished the stronger.
Marlins' best: Tim Donlan (3 tries), Dennis Pili-Gaitau
What they said: "What West Harbour brought to the game was better than what we brought to the game. But that's the end of the regular season and we finished first and they're eighth. We need to bring our best now the finals are starting and, if we do, I'm confident we can achieve something over the next few weeks." – coach Brian Melrose
Odd Spot: It's probably not a record you really want but Manly's 52 points could be the largest losing total in Shute Shield history
Where to from here: We are back at Manly Oval against Eastwood in the 1 v 6 qualifying final on Saturday. Be there!
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
80 minutes in 80 seconds: Manly scored inside the first 70 seconds and most of us thought this would be a stroll in the park. But Penrith had come to play and were not about to roll over for us. The Emus played some terrific rugby to lead 19-17 just before halftime and there was a real sense we could be about to witness one of the great Shute Shield upsets. Manly eventually pushed the go button to pile on 31 unanswered points, but still Penrith wouldn’t throw in the towel. Trailing 48-19, Penrith scored the last three tries to go down by just 10 points. The Marlins were missing a number of regulars and made plenty of changes during the game, but take nothing away from the plucky visitors.
Where it was won: Manly scored four tries between the 49th and 59th minute marks and that was the end of the section. In all, there were 14 tries scored on the day as defence not only took a back seat but moved to the boot.
Marlins' best: It was more a collective effort but there were some good things from Sam Shires and Josh Turner, in particular.
What they said: "It was a bit like a Sunday hangover (after the derby) and we did what we had to do. It would have been nice to win more comfortably but we got the job done and now move on." – coach Brian Melrose
Odd Spot: The win wraps up the 20th minor premiership in Manly's long history. We will play either Eastwood, Sydney Uni or Wests in the 1 v 6 play-off in the first week of the finals
Where to from here: We travel to Concord Oval on Saturday to take on the much-improved West Harbour in the last game of the regular season. The Pirates remain a mathematical chance of reaching the semis
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
After more than 2 years of steady fundraising, the MRF is in good shape and has now launched 4 projects as part of its “success through development “strategy.
We now have 85 members of the foundation. These donations have enabled the MRF to safely invest its core capital of $100,000, and has sufficient surplus to execute on four projects we believe reflect the objectives and values of the Foundation
Each of these projects have been approved by the Australian Sports Foundation. This is of course essential in securing tax effective donations and is a process closely monitored by the ASF. This requires us to account directly to the ASF for expenditure under each project on half yearly basis.
MRF Project 1—Colts scholarship programme. The first ever scholarship of this nature has been awarded to Will Haskins. Will was the outstanding recommendation of the Colts selection panel after a wide ranging search for our first scholarship winner. Will is a local junior from the Manly Roos, won his blue in the GPS 1st XV last year and played for the NSW schoolboy 1st XV in the National Championship—he plays as half-back. Key to his selection is the leadership he has already shown within the squad and his professionalism, especially in recovery from serious injury last year. He has commenced studies for a Bachelor of Business at UTS. Other candidates are in the pipeline.
MRF Project 2—Northern Beaches Rugby Pathway. In many respects this is our most exciting , most important project for 2017. Based upon an excellent rugby development programme for high schools designed by Tom Crerar, the inaugural MRF Gala day will be held on June 20th at Nolans Reserve between 930am-230pm. This projects involves 14 high schools in the northern beaches and north shore area. Our development team will attend all schools to instruct u13, u15 and open teams , boys and girls, in the Olympic sport of rugby sevens. There is no other support for rugby in these selected schools.
MRF Project 3—Refurbishment of the Kierle Park facilities. Perhaps more mundane but nevertheless a very long overdue upgrade to these training facilities. This will benefit not just the senior club, but the colts, and all junior rugby clubs that use the ground throughout the playing season. This was very much a joint project that has secured real leverage. An initiative of the Manly Marlins, the MRF joined the consortium that also includes the Manly Junior Rugby---the combined impact was to secure both Local Council and Federal Grants for the refurbishment. This will commence once certain planning matters are finalised
MRF Project 4—Manly Barbarians to Paris 2017. Clubs from the Manly Junior Rugby Union have pooled resources to attend the famous Tournoi des Capitales in Paris in September 2017. School teams, both boys and girls, have been invited from around the world to participate in this famous event. The Manly Barbarians will also participate in the 100th anniversary services recognising the Battles of Villers Bretonneaux and Longueval. With the direct approval of the ASF, the MRF has been able to pass through the tax benefits of ASF donations to the Barbarians. This is worth noting for all clubs intending to undertake such tours and need to fund raise as part of that process.
So as MRF moves into execution phase, its a big thankyou to everyone that has donated to and supported the Foundation.
These are our first projects, we expect to learn much during execution and we shape keep you updated on our next initiatives. We are always open to suggestions and recommendations – contact board members Matt Curl, Steve Williams or Bill Calcraft This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
With two out of three wins at the weekend, and with third grade colts recording their first victory in over a year at Keirle Park on Saturday vs Souths, there is a quiet optimism in the Colts camp. So what’s happened, and what does the season have in store? Let’s find out from our Colts Head Coach, Dave Mills.
So Millsy, tell us what’s different this year?
It’s basically all about depth. There is no doubt that last year was a tough year, but we have been working hard during the off season to extend our networks, talking to local schools and with player and coach connections to ensure that we have got the depth required to make a difference across all three grades. We have had some new recruits that have chosen Manly and already have started to shine, and we have some players who stuck with it last season and will now come of age.
So tell us about these new recruits.
We have Jack Veitch who is a country boy joining us from Tamworth, and we have Angus Burns, a prop who has come up from Wogga. Both have already made a huge difference to the squad, and are names in the first grade starting 15 this weekend versus Sydney University. Then we have boys like Lachie Armstrong, who as a Bally Boys student who has yet to reach his 18th birthday, will be planning to add to the illustrious Marlins alumni, and has already shown very positive signs.
But not forgetting the boys who slogged it out with us last season. Players like Kai Lackner who came up from South Australia early last year who committed and worked hard to develop himself as a player despite not coming off the field with a win as frequently as he’d hoped or deserved. Those guys will definitely be rewarded as we progress this year.
How about the coaching staff?
We’ve been lucky to maintain some continuity with our coaching staff, with the addition of some new faces. Alongside Rob Gallacher, Alex Prendergast, Tim Herbert, Tommy Clifford and myself, new to the team are Tom Crerar from NSW Rugby and Rory Toemoe from Lindfield who will be making a difference with our third grade. We are also joined by Wallabies analyst Damon Edmonds who will be adding an extra layer of expertise and detail to support our coaching staff.
So things are definitely moving forward!
Yes, and culturally we have made big steps as well. The performance culture that we have established through the players commitment to training together at the gym has been significant. We have 20 players who are consistently and frequently training together at the gym with our new strength and conditioning coach Max Braham, which, when translated to the field means that things can only get better.
This is however still very much a work in progress. The Colts team has made a commitment to contribute to the Club’s number one objective of winning the club championship in the forthcoming years. Throughout our three grades we are dedicated to this, both in terms of adding to the points tally, but also by providing a robust platform from which the grade players will develop.
This weekend will be a great challenge for us. The boys are looking forward to heading down to Sydney University. I'm particularly interested to see how our third grade boys go as they are high on confidence after their trial and round one wins. Watch this space.
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
Click here for the Marlins Draw 2017
Click Here for the full Shute Shield Draw
• Entry to all 9 season home games
• Invitations to club functions
• invitations to VIP member only events
• Invitation to meet Waratahs and/or Wallabies players
• Membership cap
• 3 Entries into membership raffle to win tix2tahs
• Access to reserved grandstand seating
• Access to VIP entry on peak days
• Members discounts from sponsors
• members exclusive newsletter
• Discount on merchandise
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