Past and present Sea Eagles players came together today to celebrate 70 years to the day since Manly Warringah played their first premiership match.
April 12, 1947, saw the Sea Eagles play Western Suburbs Magpies in three grades at Brookvale Oval (now Lottoland) after Manly were granted entry to the 1947 NSWRL competition on November 4, 1946.
Some of Manly’s biggest names including premiership winning internationals Max Krilich, Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies were at Sea Eagles training today to commemorate the occasion and reflect on the club’s proud history alongside current captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
Menzies' Grandfather, Mackie Campbell, was a member of Manly's first grade team against Wests that day.
Golden Eagles chairman and 2008 premiership prop Mark Bryant was also in attendance along with the club’s special guest in Bob Waterer.
Now 92, Bob played prop in Manly’s third grade team on that historic first day. He spoke about the pioneering days and how he made way for a promising young prop at the time in Roy Bull, who went on to become Manly’s first Australian Test player.
Following a cutting of a cake, respected club stalwart Warwick Bulmer led a rendition of the Sea Eagles team victory song – an honour he still enjoys today with the Manly NRL team.
Watch the video above to see highlights of the 70 years milestone celebrations this morning.
April 12, 1947: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles vs Western Suburbs Magpies, Brookvale Oval
First grade team: Full-back: A. J Collins; three-quarters: J Walsh, C. McMahon, M Campbell, J Bliss; five-eighth: M Gillmer; half: G Maddrell; forwards: J Hall, K Kirkwood, M Whitehead (C), P Hines, E Cannon, H Grew.
Result: Western Suburbs 15 (T Briggs try, W. Keato 6 goals) d Manly Warringah 13 (J Bliss, C McMahon, K Kirkwood tries; M Gillmer 2 goals).
Manly Warringah reserve grade team:
Full-back: P Aldridge, three-quarters: J Bradstreet, C Foerster, K Chapman, A Kerle; halves: A Sullivan, R Smith; forwards: C Robinson, R Allerton, D Matheson, R Bourke, E Dawes, F Burge.
Result: Western Suburbs 7 (J Snare try, J Lackey 2 goals) d Manly Warringah 3 (J Bradstreet try)
Manly Warringah third grade team
Full-back: R Beaumont, three-quarters: A Barnes, S Raffo, F Denham, A Riddle; halves: T Jensen, J Campbell, forwards: A Barrett, J Hubbard, B Seymour, R Mullins, L Johnson, R Waterer.
Result: Western Suburbs 11 (A. Rosevar, J Rawlinson, J Duggan tries; J Bradley goal) d Manly Warringah 5 (T Jensen try; R Beaumont goal).
Click here to read more about the 47' Manly team.
