In the countdown to Manly Warringah’s vital NRL clash against arch-rivals Parramatta Eels, we take a trip down memory lane of some of the great battles between the two clubs.
Rugby league historian David Middleton (League Information Services) has gone through some of the most memorable matches from yesteryear.
Today, we present the first three of 11 special matches the ‘Guru’ has chosen.
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1975 semi-final, Manly won 22-12 at SCG, September 7
Parramatta had battled their way through two mid-week play-offs to qualify for the finals and then backed up to beat Canterbury in the preliminary semi-final, despite losing a number of stars to injury. A week later they met Manly in the minor semi-final and were poised to continue their run until an intercept try to Sea Eagles centre Ray Branighan turned the tide.
1976 grand final, Manly won 13-10 at SCG, September 18
It was perhaps the most famous Manly-Parramatta clash of them all and is remembered for the pass dropped by winger Neville Glover which cost the Eels a try and probable victory. Centre John Moran broke a Manly tackle and passed to an unmarked Glover, who dropped the ball with an open line only metres away.
1977 round 15, Manly won 13-11 at Cumberland, July 3
Parramatta had won 12 matches in succession and were competition leaders in all three grades when they met Manly at Cumberland Oval. Eels lock Ray Price scored a try rated by one scribe as “one of the greatest individual three-pointers of modern times”, but it was Manly who escaped with a 13-11 win after a late penalty goal to Graham Eadie.
Rd 24 Match Day Information
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles v Parramatta Eels, Brookvale Oval
“Golden Eagles Day”
Match Day Sponsor - Kyocera
Sunday 23 August
Gates open: 1:30pm
NYC Kick-off: 1:45pm
Golden Eagles 'Walk' from Manly Leagues Club to Brookvale Oval: 2.30pm
NRL Kick-off: 4pm
Tickets
Phone: 136 100
Online: http://bit.ly/1N2D1NO
