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After another week where the health and future of the NRL was again brought into question, Brookvale Oval tonight provided perhaps the greatest shot in the arm to the world’s premier rugby league competition.
Sonny Bill Williams’ defection to French rugby and Todd Carney’s sacking from Canberra dominated the news heading in to this long-awaited blockbuster between Manly and Melbourne.
Come kickoff, there was no talk about either fallen stars in the 18,442-strong crowd.
Brookie will almost certainly play host to a semi-final next month, but there will be little chance that clash will match the atmosphere for tonight’s battle between the 2007 grand finalists and this year’s No.1 and 2 sides.
Frenetic from the start, Manly supporters were baying for Storm blood as much as they were cheering for Sea Eagles glory.
They just about got their wish in the third minute when enemy No.1 Michael Crocker and home favourite Brett Kite began exchanging punches.
Manly supporters began crying “off, off”. Referee Tony Archer held his nerve, and offered only a caution to both players.
It ensured plenty more chances for the Sea Eagles faithful to boo Crocker – despised for his controversial hit on Manly fullback Brett Stewart in last year’s grand final.
Even better, it ensured a great game between the competition’s two best two teams – a worthy grand final preview.
Talk of Sonny Bill, Carney and the NRL’s uncertain future isn’t about to go away for a hurry.
But tonight, at the very least, showed the NRL wasn’t going anywhere either.
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