Sea Eagles women's team ready for historic home game

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Wed 15 Feb 2023, 09:01 AM

History will be made at the spiritual home of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles this Saturday when the club’s Tarsha Gale Cup women’s team play at Brookvale Oval for the first time.

The Sea Eagles take on the Canberra Raiders in a triple header of NSWRL junior representative fixtures with the Tarsha Gale Cup (U19 women), Harold Matthews (U17), and SG Ball Cup (U19) games being played.

And to add to the occasion, entry is just $5.

The Tarsha Gale Cup match will kick off proceedings at 11am with the Sea Eagles having a 50 per cent win record from their opening two matches away.

The Sea Eagles recorded an historic 16-12 heart-stopping win over the Wests Tigers in round one with the club’s first ever women’s team for Manly becoming pioneers in their own right.

Then, last Saturday, in sweltering conditions in Sydney’s west, the Sea Eagles girls put in a gallant effort to go down 16-8 to Parramatta on the back of a heavy injury toll that saw the side reduced to just 11 players.

Alicia Weir takes on the Eels defence in the 2023 Tarsha Gale Cup ©Andrew Bateup

If you haven’t had the chance to watch the Sea Eagles women’s team, then try to make it down to Brookvale as this is a side, whilst still developing, play with plenty of flair and aggression in defence under Coach Nick Wolfgramm.

Some of the hits that have been pulled off already are bone crunching to say the least.

The women’s team have been itching to play at Brookvale and understand the importance of the game and what they will achieve again when captain Ana-Sofima Seia Perez leads Manly out for the first time on their hallowed turf.

They, too, want to protect their ‘Fortress’.

“We wanted to show people that Manly isn’t just a pushover,’’ Seia Perez said after their win over the Wests Tigers.

And in just two games, they have already proven that.

Bird gang....the Sea Eagles girls muscle up in defence ©Andrew Bateup

Following the women’s game, Manly will take to the field in the Harold Matthews and SG Ball Cup games.

Both teams suffered first round defeats to Western Suburbs Magpies.

With a new playing group and coaching staff, led by successful country coach Aaron Watts, the Harold Matthews side will take time to gel but there is some talent in the group.

Manly go into the Harold Matthews Cup game on the back of a bye last weekend.

In the SG Ball Cup, the Sea Eagles will be bursting to play after having their round two match against the Warriors in New Zealand cancelled last Friday due to severe weather conditions.

Coach Brett Fulton’s side were right in the game against the Magpies for long periods but a lack of composure with the ball proved costly.

It’s shaping up to be a huge day of some great rugby league at Brookvale Oval. Food and drinks will be available and patrons can sit in the stands.

This is your chance to enjoy a triple header of matches where you, too, can be part of a history making day for the Sea Eagles club.