One of rugby league’s most celebrated rivalries will continue on Saturday night when the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles welcome the Melbourne Storm to Brookvale Oval.
Since the turn of this century, both the Storm and Sea Eagles have been among the most consistent clubs in the NRL, with nine of 13 grand finals since 2006 featuring either club, including back-to-back deciders in 2007 and 2008.
The first of those saw the Storm – with a squad that no-one knew was illegally assembled at the time – thrash the Sea Eagles by 34-8 with Greg Inglis winning the Clive Churchill Medal in what was just his third NRL season.
The turning point came when, just after half-time, Michael Crocker ironed out Brett Stewart with a perfectly executed tackle as the latter caught a high bomb from Inglis, leaving the Sea Eagles to play the second half without their custodian.
His absence proved telling as the Storm dominated the second half en route to winning a title that would later be stripped from them due to significant salary cap breaches uncovered in 2010.
In 2008, the Sea Eagles would return serve in brutal fashion, winning by a record score of 40-0 with winger Michael Robertson scoring a hat trick of tries.
While the two teams would not meet in another grand final since, they have met in a number of significant matches, including two finals (both won by the Storm by 40-12) as well as several spiteful clashes, including an infamous match at Brookvale Oval in 2011.
This was to be the first match attended by then NRL CEO David Gallop of either side after he suspended Brett Stewart for the first four rounds of the 2009 season for sexual assault allegations that he was later cleared of, and after he stripped the Storm of two premierships for salary cap breaches in 2010.
The match itself, which was billed as a grand final preview, turned violent in the first half when a brawl occurred at the northern end where the Storm were defending their line.
Following this, firebrands Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair were sent to the sin bin, and on their way to the sheds, another brawl broke out, involving nearly all players from both clubs. Both players were subsequently sent off, leaving both teams a man down for the rest of the match.
In the end, the Sea Eagles would prevail 18-4, with Storm fullback Billy Slater scoring at the death to prevent his club from being held scoreless for the first time since the 2008 decider.
So violent was the match that it was eventually given the nickname the Battle of Brookvale.
Both current captains, Daly Cherry-Evans and Cameron Smith, remain the only survivors from that infamous clash for their respective sides.
Both clubs seemed destined to reach the grand final that year, but while the Sea Eagles held up their end of the bargain, the Storm crashed out at the penultimate hurdle, losing to the New Zealand Warriors in the preliminary final.
Another spiteful clash between the two sides came halfway through last season, where the Sea Eagles took the points at AAMI Park by way of a 24-4 win against a Storm side that was missing suspended captain Smith, with Slater acting in his position.
In that match, Curtis Scott was sent off for punching Dylan Walker, who along with Apisai Koroisau was sin-binned for his role in the ensuing brawl that took place.
Fast forward to this Saturday night and you can expect that the passion will be there as the Storm look to officially lock up the minor premiership, while the Sea Eagles will be hoping to secure the double chance for the first time since 2014.
While the Storm remain a consistent premiership contender under Craig Bellamy, the Sea Eagles have rediscovered their mojo under Des Hasler, who returned to the club this year after a six-year stint coaching the Bulldogs.
Last week, the Storm came from behind to defeat the Gold Coast Titans by 24-8, just about securing the minor premiership in the process, while the Sea Eagles did likewise against the Raiders, hanging on to win by 18-14 in the nation’s capital.
Manly’s resurgence in 2019 comes after they finished second last on the ladder last season, and their poor training facilities as well as internal infighting prompted then coach Trent Barrett to walk out on the club with 12 months left on his contract.
It will also be the teams’ second meeting in just over a month, after the Sea Eagles defeated the Storm by 11-10 in golden point extra time after Cherry-Evans kicked the match winner in the final minute of extra time to give his side the victory.
This marked the second consecutive victory for the Silvertails in the Victorian capital, after that spiteful match last year, which they won 24-4.
Five weeks on, the Sea Eagles can take another step towards finishing with the double chance with a repeat victory over the Storm, something they haven’t done since 2015.
This would move them to third on the ladder ahead of the Canberra Raiders facing off against the Cronulla Sharks in the Shire on Sunday.
On that note, a Storm loss would see their lead at the top of the ladder possibly reduced to two points, with the Sydney Roosters expected to take care of the Penrith Panthers at the SCG later the same evening.
Otherwise, a win would see them officially wrap up the minor premiership with one round to play after this weekend.
So who will prevail in the Battle of Brookvale this Saturday night?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Agree with practically all you said except for the Jorge critique.. his strength and power in bringing the ball back from the line overcome the little he’s lost in speed in open space. The two or three Matai like hits a game shorten up those opposite too. His only flaw for mine is he sometimes has hands that let him down at bad times in a game and is very suspect under a high ball
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
You are quite correct. In any event, as far back as the 1950s from my own memory, everybody who lives on the Northern beaches and lower north shore have always just called it Brookvale Oval, or Brookie Oval. The football club can call it Planet Neptune if they want. It has always been, and always will be, Brookie as far as the public is concerned.
Kevin
Guest
Interesting to see the vision of the game .. and the biff between Blair and Stewart , what’s also interesting is to see the 3 or 4 manly payers run in and get stuck into Blair .. especially Foran .. what’s more interesting is that the ref that night forgot about the 3rd man in rule .. it should have been 12 on 9 or 12 on 8 for the next 10 minutes .. don’t recall anyone running in when Dowling and the kiwi prop went at it at Lang park years earlier
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
You are in breach of the directive from Scott Penn the Chairman of the Manly football club, you are forbidden to call it Brookvale oval you must refer to it as Lottoland Stadium.......and that is an order. Every staff member every coach & every player has received a very explicit memo from Penn. Yeah Scott we know that the only sponsor you can get is the dodgy Lottoland mob, but this is taking corporate sponsorship a bit too far ....You do not own the joint, the council does and they have named it Brookvale Oval, as it is in Brookvale Park and has been there for 108 years.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Most lynch mobs give up when the courts show them up but some of the more clueless members keep at it. Walker was found not guilty whether you like it or not.
Joe
Roar Rookie
One thing I noticed in the Titans game especially although in other games this season as well is Cam Smith is trying to do too much himself especially in attack. There were times when he ended up taking the wrong options especially the first half last week when he really just needed to let the ball go out to Hughes and Munster. Whether its Croft or Hughes he needs to have more faith in his halves and let them play and only chime in. When he was overdoing it the attack looked very poor. Hopefully this week he lets Hughes and Munster play more.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
I know Croft has weaknesses in defence, but, I think we missed his linking with Cam Smith & his kick placement - seemed to throw team balance right out. Will really need to work out combinations a whole lot better, this week, if we are to beat Manly.
madmax
Guest
Pretty poor bringing Walker's other half into this. I reckon she'd put one on you easily!
Joe
Roar Rookie
I really feel for Croft. His defense this year has improved greatly over last year so he has worked on that weak aspect of his game. His big strengths are his running game and kicking game but I think Hughes is much more of a running threat and his kicking this year has been outstanding from fullback and the little time he's had in the halves. Kicking for repeat sets and the attacking grubbers not to mention his passing under pressure. I think if he trained full time in the off season in the halves he would make a very good 7. Paps needs more time training at fullback as well...still hasn't really been tested under the high ball and fumbled last week. I think though give them both an off season and about half a season in those positions they will be deadly with Munster and B.Smith/Grant as a spine.
Avatar
Roar Guru
Could be a potential Grand Final preview, as it was in 2011 (minus the violence in that Brookvale Oval match). I was disappointed that the Storm didn't hold up their end of the bargain that year, otherwise there would have been fireworks (think what could've been a round two between Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair). A Manly premiership this year would well and truly vindicate their decision to bring Des Hasler back to the club; I just feel that the team were missing the Manly DNA during the time he was away coaching the Bulldogs.
WarHorse
Roar Rookie
Walker to get that gutless grub curtis scott back
bbt
Guest
Should be a cracker of a game. The big question for us Storm fans is - how will the new-look spine go? Have not thought that Croft is mature enough, but Bellamy stuck with him through the year. It will be a big test for Hughes at half and PapH at fullback. Munster needs a half who can really assist.
Peter Piper
Roar Rookie
Agreed, Personally I prefer this spine and as long as it delivers then I am fine going with it into the finals.
Joe
Roar Rookie
I'm expecting a good game. I think Manly might have more to play for which is staying in the four. The Storm are assured of a home semi and their last couple of weeks has an air of just getting through these games to get to the Finals. That said they would not have liked that loss to Manly at all so will be out for a bit of pay back. I doubt there will be any fireworks at all it being so close to finals. No one wants to miss out on that so they'll play hard and that's it. Interested to see how the Storms new spine goes against a top four side as that will likely determine whether they stick with it for the Finals.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
There's nothing better than a great rivalry.. Canterbury v Easts 2002-5, Manly v Parra in the 80s, Penrith v Canberra early 90s, Storm v Manly 2007-19. Great to watch.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
First time Curtis Scott, Dylan Walker and Api Koroisau have been on a field together since the biff. Especially as he has only been back a week or so and I already had judiciary charge, I can only imagine Scott will be read the riot act abut remaining disciplined and not being sucked in to anything... Mind you I reckon Justin Olam could pack a punch. I wouldn't mind seeing him put one on Dylan Walker's chin. Then Walker's partner wouldn't have to interrupt his computer games to ask him if he wants a spoon or a fork because she would just need to bring him a straw....
mickey of mo$man
Guest
+1 was one of the best rivalries over the last decade without a doubt.
Paul
Roar Guru
It's completely reasonable to expect a top game when 1 plays 4, but I doubt greatly there'll be too many fireworks, not with the finals only a couple of weeks away. Both coaches will be trying to ensure they don't lose players through stupidities, while still doing everything to take the two points. Should be a terrific game, lets hope the refs and weather play ball as well.
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Good to see an objective Manly fan who appreciates the Storm, Hard Yards. Manly have always been a great club too.
The Spectator
Roar Guru
possibly 3 games v Mel at the end of a season, could it get any better! Push it up Manly!!!