To celebrate our 70th Year Anniversary in 2016, we today continue ‘Our Proud History’ series. The Sea Eagles were granted entry to the 1947 NSWRL first grade competition on November 4, 1946.
Sixty-nine years ago today (April 19), Manly Warringah Sea Eagles played their first ever away premiership match in their inaugural season in the NSWRL.
Manly Warringah lost 33-17 to a strong Newtown side at Erskineville Oval. Here is an extract of the match from the book, The Sea Eagle Has Landed, written by Robert Smith.
‘The Daily Telegraph reported that three of Newtown’s seven tries came from Manly errors.
Props Harry Grew and Pat Hines were no match for Newtown’s formidable Frank ‘Bumper’ Farrell and Laurie Doran.
“Manly’s forwards need tuition in scrum and ruck work, ‘’ the match report said.
Centre Mackie Campbell chuckled over an incident in the match.
“Bumper’’ had decided to wipe his boots on my face, and (winger) Johnny Bliss came in and threw a punch at him. Bumper looked at him and said ‘you filthy mongrel’, Bliss’ and that’s from one of the dirtiest blokes that ever played.
“And ‘Blissy’ said to me later ‘that Bumper’s tough…that punch of mine would have felled an ox’, and that was from a fella weighing 9st 71ls wringing wet…Bumper never felt it.”
Tryscorers for Manly were Bliss, Campbell, and Keith Kirkwood. Merv Gillmer kicked four goals.
On this date, April 19, Manly has won 6 of 8 premiership matches played in our history.
April 19, 1947, Rd 2: Newtown 33 d Manly 17, Erskineville Oval.
April 19, 1952, Rd 5: Manly 34 d St George 17, SCG. (Jack Lumsden 3 , George Hunter 2 tries.)
April 19, 1954, Rd 5: Manly 23 d Canterbury-Bankstown 16, Belmore Sports Ground.
April 19, 1958: Rd 3: Manly 41 d Parramatta 14, Brookvale Oval. (Ray Ritchie 4, Bill Lloyd 2 tries).
April 19, 1969, Rd 4: Manly 26 d North Sydney 8, North Sydney Oval (John McDonald 2 tries).
April 19: 1970, Rd 4: Manly 38 d Parramatta 5, Brookvale Oval (John McDonald 4, Rob Cameron 2, Les Hanigan 2 tries).
April 19, 1992, Rd 5: Brisbane 28 d Manly 12, Brookvale Oval.
April 19, 2010, Rd 6: Manly 18 d Melbourne 16, Docklands Stadium (Michael Robertson 2 tries)
