When it comes to ultimate man caves, it's very hard to go past the one proudly owned by passionate Manly Member David Eagle Rutherford.
A Manly supporter for the past 50 years, Rutherford went to his first game at the age of 12, the 1978 Grand Final.
It's a rare day, too, that the 57-year-old from Milton is not seen wearing Sea Eagles gear. He even got his first Manly tattoo on a recent Bali holiday.
We spoke to this diehard Sea Eagles Member to learn more about his fascinating collection. Join here to become a proud Manly Member like David.
WC: You were born without a middle name but then legally added it as ‘Eagle’. Tell us about that?
DR: I made a pact at the start of the 2011 Finals series with a girl named Ellie from the local radio station, Power FM, that I would add 'Eagle' as my middle name if we won the premiership that year. When we won, Ellie called and asked “Are you going to go through with it,” and my response was “Hell Yes”. But being no good with technology, it didn't happen so about five years ago I tried again, this time with some help and it worked. I'm so happy that I did it. Some people don't believe that I actually changed my middle name, so I have to show them my driver's licence to prove it.
WC: You travel to Sea Eagles games in your decorated Manly car. There must be a lot of fun interaction with supporters?
DR: I love taking the Eagle car to Brookie. We stop at the first servo after the Harbour Bridge to put the flags up, they don't exactly travel well on the freeway (laughs). A few blasts of the horn as we get closer and start seeing Manly fans walking to the game. After a win, I have the car horn blasting and trumpet blowing out the window. The fans love it and seeing the excitement on their faces is priceless.
WC: Your Manly Man Cave is magnificent for what was a shed. What are some of your best collections?
DR: We moved here around 12 years ago and I saw the old garage with holes in the walls. I said this will be my Man Cave and it came up really well with some patchwork and a few paint jobs. My wife Jennie painted the garage door maroon and a lady came and hand painted an Eagle on it. We outgrew it around 3 years ago, so we had to extend it.
My favourite items are my Manly Space Invader Machine, Manly ping pong table, Manly number plate with my initials on it given to me by a stranger, Manly boxing gloves signed by my hero Graham Eadie, and a Port barrel with a picture of Steve Menzies and me engraved on it. My next project is to do the felt on my pool table with a Manly design. There’s not much room left in the Man Cave so I have been expanding into the front of the garage where the car parks.
WC: You have Manly fans come from across the country to see it. It must give you a lot of joy?
DR: It's so exciting to share it with other Manly fans. I started a Manly Christmas Party two years ago. The first year we had 30 people attend and around 35 last year. Fans came from Sydney, Batemans Bay and even Temora. The car is like a magnet to meet new fans. I catch them locally taking photos of it and I ask them where they are from and tell them I won the best Manly Cave and invite them around for a look. I have met some great fans, with many becoming friends too.
WC: How much enjoyment does it give your family, even though your son is a Bulldogs fan?
DR: Starting with my son, It has encouraged him to start a Bulldogs cave and it's going well. He gives me Manly stuff for Christmas and birthdays and I do the same for him. Jennie is mostly supportive because I don’t smoke and I'm not a heavy drinker, plus I have worked hard all my life. Sometimes when a package arrives, she rolls her eyes and says “what have you bought this time.” I have two daughters - one takes her friends out to the Man Cave and plays pool, ping pong and darts. She is a Manly fan but supports Queensland with her mum at State Of Origin. The other daughter is not a footy fan but she sees how much joy Manly brings me.
