Rewind the tape back to Round 2, where Brett Stewart’s jig resembling a hipster feeding chooks accompanied his double against Melbourne at Brookvale Oval.
With the benefit of hindsight, the unusual dance quite rightly grabbed more headlines than the achievement it claimed to celebrate.
Snake’s first that evening reportedly drew him level with Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies’ record of 78 Brooky touchdowns, while outright try-scoring leadership at the iconic venue complemented his second.
If only a backflip rounded out the wacky hand-flicking rendition, it would have all made sense. It seems the choreographed sequence and roar from the hill was a tad premature.
Nestled in Menzies’ shorts are another 10 tries scored at the Pittwater Road venue in Northern Eagles colours from 2000 to 2002.
Many believe Beaver’s 180 career tries, including the 29 scored for the failed joint venture, should double as the Manly club record and insist Snake is well short, despite recently passing Menzies’ mark of 151 compiled under the Manly-Warringah banner.
But there can be no such argument for venue based records where an individual’s tally reflects mastery of specific ground attributes, irrespective of team name.
And if anyone’s entitled to slam their headgear in disgust, it’s Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies.
His 88 four-pointers compiled for Manly and the merged outfit are not only the most at Brookvale Oval, but as far I can determine, the most by an individual at any one venue in premiership history.
After Stewart’s 85, next on the list is Andrew Ettingshausen’s 80 at Shark Park.
Other notables include Anthony Minichiello’s 77 at the Sydney Football Stadium and Matty Bowen’s 71 in Townsville.
Ken Irvine grounded the pigskin 71 times at North Sydney Oval and Billy Slater has crossed for 100 tries in Melbourne, albeit spread across three separate venues (55 at Olympic Park, 34 at AAMI and 11 at Docklands).
The bar would be higher if seasons early last century were comparable in length to modern times.
Well before greyhounds chased the elusive bunny at Sydney’s Wentworth Park, Glebe and Australian forward Frank Burge proved equally evasive scoring 71 tries in only 56 matches over nine prosperous seasons.
But for all of that, no one is better placed than Beaver himself to right the statistical wrongs and formalise his one-ground scoring prowess.
Under the guidance of FOX teammates Fletch and Hindy, Menzies is well-positioned to host a segment called ‘The Fortress: Beagle Beaver’s missing handful’, starting with his very first try at Brookvale Oval for the Northern Eagles – a match winning flop atop a Matt Orford grubber.
As for Brett Stewart, word will spread outlining the additional work required to be undisputed Fortress king. And another cryptic post try performance like the whip-wielding gallop after career try 100 will be expected to headline the take-two celebrations.
And the belated final act is surely imminent.
With Snake back to his career striking best having already bagged four doubles at home this season, expect the remaining four tries to be banked by season’s end.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Blah. False advertising!
Jason Hosken
Guest
Knock twice for draft nomination and if the cap fits...
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Where does one get invites to these parties you speak of? (!)
Jason Hosken
Guest
The Beaver party never ends, JH...your stoking most welcome.
Jackson Henry
Roar Guru
Well Kathryn, Beaver is definitely chair(person) in my house. (As usual, a week late to the party).
Kim Wiggins
Guest
As a Sharkie I respect Bretty 110% he deserves all the praise and glory , hopefully he continues to topple records and breaks them all... And correct he is a big joker so hopefully we see more of the post try celebrations and more of his crazy sense of humour... love ya Bretty see you soon xo
Jason Hosken
Guest
Nice wrap Kathryn, I enjoy your passion. Hopefully sanity prevails in the front office and the club can grow rumour free.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Cheers TB. I was thinking of you when i came across Baa's 67 tries Belmore. Mate, do you recall if the Dogs were regulars at Concord around '94 or just one-offs?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Definitely Cliffy. Great article Jase and some nice stat work.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Brookie it is then. Cliffie or Cliffy?
Jeremy
Guest
I think it is Brookie not Brooky.
Kathryn
Guest
Both Beaver & Snake are undeniably Manly legends. I adore both of them, for their sportsmanship, class & ability to read the game- both knowing where to be at the right time. It's ridiculous that Beaver's tries, scored for the (embarrassing 'hiccup' in the history of our legendary club) Northern Eagles, should not be recognised. I'm sure Beaver would be as proud as the rest of we Manly die-hands, & wouldn't begrudge Snake overtaking him in the stats. Beaver will ALWAYS be a legend, irrespective of how many tries he scored. One of my favourite stars of all time. So happy he has remained part of the club. Now only if he could influence the morons we have creating the 'dictatorship'....ie. Kelly & Penn. make Beaver chairman I say!
Jason Hosken
Guest
Ha! Must admit, i'm surprised it didn't end up in the editors bin. Gotta love the Roar!
The Cross Eyed Fullback
Guest
Snakes love Beaver !!!
Squidward
Roar Rookie
I'm a big fan of the headline of this article. Love a bit of snake chasing down the beaver action
Jason Hosken
Guest
I can't answer that one, Nambawan. But given his blinding speed sounds like he would have been too slick to come within striking distance of the corner post.
Jason Hosken
Guest
The confidence in his hammy has returned, great to see him taking on the line again. Together with his ability to set up a try he now has defensive lines well and truly on the back foot.
Nambawan
Guest
How many trys would Ken Irvine have scored if in his day the corner posts were not out of bounds? Puts the present days player's exploits into perspective!!!
Sunshine
Guest
How good is snake. He possibly could have gone in for a couple more on the weekend. Generally first man in to pat the try scorer on the head given the ability of his support play.