David Morrow had lost his lollies; my tiny Corolla speakers throbbed on life support in tune with his booming venom. It was 2010 and Steve Matai had just smeared Michael Ennis across the Brookvale turf with a callous high-shot.
No vision was needed, listeners were conditioned by past carnage, but for the ABC frontman – enough was enough.
Each shudder of my car’s flimsy panels felt like a nail in the wayward Kiwi’s coffin. Neutrals lapped it up; it was villain versus villain in a victory for the masses where the yappy Bulldog lay mute and the reckless Sea Eagle would again do time.
The chalk and cheese duo both scarred opponents for over a decade, one with words and the other without.
These days, minus the headgear and in the presence of his Fox Sports colleagues, the Ennis image continues to flourish with colours from his soothed-tongue brush.
But what of Steve Matai, hunched and wincing, surely there’s an ounce of gold within that battle-scarred heart?
Chances are though, you’ll never know unless the nickname “Skivvy” is on your list of contacts.
More at ease trying to snap a crowbar across his knee than fronting a camera, the media-shy Matai rammed home the point upon retirement just as he played all 230 games – without remorse.
There was no premiership fairytale let alone a lap of honour. Not even a goodbye.
Sometimes the best stories are left on the back seat. On the one hand, miscreant Bulldogs can be tracked hidden above the tree-line while on the other; a mysterious and fearless dual-premiership winner can vanish quicker than Roger Tuivasa-Sheck around a hypnotised fullback.
Jamie Lyon. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)
Former Sea Eagles Jamie Lyon and Brett Stewart proved limelight and footy legends don’t always shine together.
Yet both found the heart to appease long-term fans with a goodbye lap long after injury robbed them of a traditional farewell.
Their respected premiership teammate was in the same boat but chose to skip the parade.
Privileged pitch-side memories among mates and family and subsequent moments of nostalgia can be a powerful bond.
So for me, any chance to be on hand for a loyal servant’s last stand is a massive buzz.
One of my favourite footy memories as a youngster was being swept along in the mass stampede that engulfed Graham Eadie after his final home game.
And, in more recent times, nothing tops the raw emotion that accompanied ‘Beaver’ Menzies’ closing moments on Australian soil.
But ‘Skivvy’ Matai never played for fuss; he ticked to the anonymity of blindsiding opponents and avoiding journos with SAS precision.
He owed the game nothing yet, for some reason, as a long-term Manly man, I felt cheated by his hasty exit.
Perhaps even a sense of betrayal that, after a decade, we never got to know the man behind the mayhem.
Which raises the question; is there a one size fits all departure formula that enhances our favourite’s legacy?
In truth, the underwhelming Matai exit probably falls between a self-effacing demeanour and caustic Manly politics.
To be fair, fans these days are often burdened by retirees as more and more simply outstay their welcome.
Never before have so many ex-players flooded our screens. Channel Nine has long been a revolving door of ex-players and now with around-the-clock coverage, the Fox League team has more starters than a Kerry Packer World Series Cricket poster.
Some are naturals, some play a season too long and some should’ve travelled the Matai path.
Ennis still yaps but he’s no gummy Shark. Through a seamless mix of articulate analysis and glint-eyed cheek, he’s converted plenty of doubters.
Michael Ennis has glittered in his commentary career. (Photo: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
But, for every Ennis, there’s a ‘Beaver’ Menzies or Justin Hodges who fumble more words than Manu Vatuvei grassed kicks on a bad day.
You might ask; who’s to begrudge a man a crust, especially if the networks continue to roll out the red carpet?
But geez, are we really better off for eroding Darren Lockyer’s rhythmic brilliance with post-match interviews conducted with the splutter and grind of an apprentice prop?
Greg Alexander was young boy dynamite back in the 80s and early 90s, like the best of Shaun Johnson every week.
His unique flair transferred to the commentary box, but with the high pitched squeaks of a teenage boy and propensity to finish sentences with ‘but’ his longevity appeared limited.
Thankfully ‘Brandy’ stuck at it, now in combination with Warren Smith; they’re my favourite game day combo.
Maybe Ben Ikin is headed along a similar track. If carting the pill off your own line is the toughest gig in footy, then hosting Fox Sports NRL-360 must be the media equivalent.
From unrecognised Origin star of the 90s to immovable weeknight regular, no one uses the word narrative more than “Hitch”.
And why not? Fabricated stories on news free days are par for the course – even more so when regular viewers have been conditioned to correctly predict your next thought.
And what about battle-axe legends like Mario Fenech? There’s a younger generation fooled into thinking his entire working career encompassed the role of Channel Nine punching bag.
Nathan Hindmarsh is headed down the same track, belittled by the same tiresome repetitive gags week after week.
Perhaps Steve Matai got it right.
Now, with a clear head, I feel relieved for knowing him less.
Like most of his opponents at some point, his legacy lives on the park. That underrated left foot step and those kamikaze shoulders – still uncompromised by post-career clichés.
It will go down as his last and most legendary send off.
E-Meter
Roar Rookie
As Parra fans we can easily come up with a long list. Although "despise" might indicate that there is some underlying ability. We don't have that problem at Parra. We're just chronically hopeless.
Emcie
Roar Guru
That was pretty much my point though, the network uses them for the clout their names bring and that means having their faces on the screen often is more important then their aptitude for that kind of role. Locky can be quite insightful (particularly on the inner workings of clubs) in less formal settings, but in the coverage what's he there for? He doesn't have the charisma for interviews and sideline stuff and John's has a monopoly on play breakdowns while Gould has an opinion on everything else. Locky gets the generic stuff cos that's pretty much all that's left, take away strong opinions and analysis and all that's left in league coverage is generic statements. Same goes for the other two, John's can break down the technical aspects of a play (I'd argue Matty John's probably has it over him though) but he spends most of the time on panels regurgitating what everyone else has said or not understanding what's going on while Fitler plays the goofball but had a completely different persona on The Rookie. The network has them there to fill a role and that role has very little to do with their abilities
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
You won't see a Manly fan in a hatchback, especially '97...plenty in Newcastle but
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Marsupial!! Kinda like Tony Greig under the Advance Hair hat.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Yeah...I’m not a cars guy but I’ve got a lot of time for the Corolla. I had a 97ish hatchback that ran like clockwork...most reliable car I’ve ever owned.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Haha...I think articulate commentary is the one area I couldn’t make a case for baa...!!! Honestly no NSW bias. Fittler speaks like a clown / space cadet so often that it’s easy to miss, but he does come up with some good analysis at times. Johns carries on with the ref bagging way too much, struggles at times to communicate his ideas but he’s levels above everyone else in terms of breaking down plays. Particularly the physical mechanics of play. Lockyer’s comments are entry level, obvious stuff that are poorly articulated and delivered in an almost indecipherable gravelly gargle. Then we get to post match and we have the discomfort lately of watching him interview players with a small marsupial on his head. As an aside every now and then my missus will tune in to the commentary and say “how can you listen to this? They all sound like m0rons”
Tom G
Guest
Easy to underestimate anyone playing for Manly.. it fits the cliche thinking
Tom G
Guest
That’s what I said
Emcie
Roar Guru
Certainly not on channel nine but away fro.... wait, Fitler? I see what's happening, should we just skip ahead to the bit where you sneak Terry Lamb in?
The Barry
Roar Guru
I’ve never heard Lockyer come up with anything interesting or insightful. He’s not in Johns’ league and has a way to go to get to Fittler’s level.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
I reckon his defence when he didn't charge out of the line could be pretty average as well but the overall package made him a greatly valued team mate. I don't know where he sits in comparison to other centres but him and Lyon had much better club careers than Gasnier and Cooper for example and you'd have to have rocks in your head not to be happy with his era at Manly.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Agree, his attack most definitely underrated, a real handful off his left foot. Yeah, he was guilty of charging out of the line and leaving a hole but like his wayward high shots it was a facet that improved over time. Down the track, I really hope he makes an appearance with his teammates at premiership reunions.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
I recall that too, Bill. From memory it was a major reason why he almost joined the Warriors.
Bill
Guest
I read a story a long time ago about Matai and his brother who has a disability and the bond they share. I can't recall too many details and cant find it now but it was a beautiful story that showed a tough player with q big heart. Matai will go down as one of my favourites. I still watch him on YouTube when i can.
farqueue
Roar Rookie
Every time the game starts and Warren Smith is commentating the mute button is pushed and music comes on...can't stand him....commentate don't opinionate... he will rave on the rest of the game about something that happened that in his opinion was wrong ...is too focused on trying to make a memorable quote than just calling the game.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Haha. I want to see you interviewed by Vossy on The Fan.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
That is a very specific time frame. Only Michael Jennings played more games as a centre in that time period. If I am considering every centre that played between 06 and 17, then I am considering Gasnier and Folau, Inglis etc.. so there is no way he is top 10. Of players who played the majority of their careers in that time period, i think most would have Hodges, Jennings, Morris clearly ahead and then throw in Croker and BJ, Will Chambers and Matt Cooper. I don't like putting Lyon in any top 10 list (apart from biggest whingers where he is top 3 All time, all world, all sports), but he has to be ahead of him as well. Some may want to give Lawrence a look (not me), Tate (though his late years weren't great) even Tonga had a good run for about 5 or 6 years. Jack Reed was a fair player, i would probably rather him. SKD, Ayshford, Pomeroy.. He is ahead of those guys i guess... :)
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Gee, you blokes are harsh. Can you find a place for him in your 10 best centres from 2006-17?
BA Sports
Roar Guru
tough?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Matai's emergence as a great player was crucial to Manly's golden run. We were in a similar position to where we are now in the outside back department, not much doing. He was rated as a fair prospect by most and not much else. I don't know what happened but both he and Jamie Lyon went from being a bit on the slow side to being pretty quick and that was the key to our attack out wide. I think Matai is misunderstood as a player. Not the illegal hits , in which he is fairly judged but his playing strengths . He was a much better and quicker player in attack than he was given credit for but apart from the big hits which were unbelievable , I reckon his defence was fairly average. Because he played in a team who had a lot of good and very aware defenders they were able to cover for him most times and that is the huge difference between his team and the current one , the awareness and desire to defend consistently as a unit.