Considered one of the toughest deciders in rugby league history, Ian Heads described the 1973 NSWRL grand final between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Cronulla Sharks as “tough and dirty as any bar-room brawl”.
The first half, in particular, felt more like two teams intent on bashing each other than actually playing football.
Some of the legendary stories include Ron Turner taking out Malcolm Reilly early in the match, only for Mal to return after receiving pain-killing injections. The jab didn’t quite work, so Mal decided to inflict as much physical damage as possible.
The brute ferocity saw the game being remembered as a bloody battle that just happened to take place on a footy field.
It was the star-studded Manly side taking on a younger Sharks side, but Cronulla weren’t going to allow Manly to throw them off with fear. They were there to win their first premiership.
The Sharks came close. Very close. Steve Rogers, in his first top-grade season, having a tough day with the boot would prove costly, and the brilliance of Bob Fulton was enough for the Sea Eagles to claim their second title.
These sides met again in the 1978 decider, which ended in a draw. The two teams re-played the grand final three days later, with Manly again too strong.
Fast forward to current times and a new chapter will be written in the rivalry when the Manly will host the Sharks at Brookvale in an elimination final.
It’s been a remarkable year for the Sea Eagles, after finishing second last the season prior.
With Des Hasler back in charge, Manly are playing the brand of football that fans have come to expect. Even with a plethora of injuries to key players, the team often completely blown their opposition of the park.
As for the Sharks, first-year coach John Morris has also faced challenge after challenge to put together the best possible team, dealing with injuries to star players.
They had been touted as a possible top-four team, only to find themselves essentially playing in an elimination final one week early, against the Wests Tigers in Round 25.
They were able to get the job done while Manly fell to defeat at the hands of the Parramatta Eels, giving the away side the momentum, as well as a stronger side – particularly if Matt Moylan returns.
Photo by Brett Hemmings/Getty Images
Manly again have a horror list of injuries that include Tom Trbojevic, Joel Thompson and Curtis Sironen, as well as the suspended Martin Taupau.
Earlier in the season when Trbojevic was out injured, Thompson and Sironen were a big influence in attack. With all three ruled out, Des will need to revise the gameplan.
The biggest positive in their favour is the home-field advantage. In front of a packed Brookvale, with fans baying for blood, the emotion might be enough for Manly to end their opponents’ season.
In what could be Paul Gallen’s final game, the skipper will welcome the hostile environment.
Meanwhile, Manly have their backs against the wall and are not favourites, which is perfect for Des to build the ‘everyone is against us’ narrative.
While the game won’t reach the violence and brutality of the 1973 grand final, it will be one of the hardest hitting games of the finals series.
Jorge Taufua will most likely be on the highlight reel again, channelling the intensity that won Manly their second decider.
Shaun Johnson will want to avoid replicating Rogers’ form with the boot – something he has struggled with this season.
And will someone step up a la the Immortal Bob Fulton – perhaps Brad Parker or Bronson Xerri?
The finals are here and another big-hitting battle of the beaches will be played out on Saturday. Bring it on!
Jaydem Martin
Roar Rookie
There's also that stat where they lost I think five games because they failed to convert goals. They aren't that far off from being a top four side. If they get a good run without injuries and are able to get their key players in form then I could see them going far into the finals.
Jaydem Martin
Roar Rookie
I think they can win it on emotion and as you said on the back of enthusiasm from the kids. I don't think they can go too deep into the finals, but I give them a chance in tonight's game. Whatever the result, you guys have still had a really good year.
Jaydem Martin
Roar Rookie
Hope you have a good night! It should be a great game and amazing atmosphere.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Your blokes last won at Brookie in 2008
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"I’ll be there in my black suit as usual" I didn't realise you were one of the Men In Black (MIB) Hard Yards. Say hello to Will Smith for me and avoid any white flakey, powdery substances as-bestos you can. :laughing: THAT was for you DB. The Dessie whisperer! ;-)
Patrick
Guest
Hating all the favoritism being put on Cronulla... I'm never confident against Manly and I think the head-to-head record speaks for itself. But I guess hoodoo's are made to be broken so hopefully Sharks finally get a win over the old rivals. Manly will be absolutely loving the underdog tag.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I posted under your original comment from yesterday only AFTER posting this. I said Dessie is trawling the ROAR looking for tag lines for press conferences. :laughing:
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
He's been reading my posts ;)
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Ah, Des. You're a class act! First the 'Voldemorts" quip and now this classic! :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: ‘Fill the hill as...bestos you can’: Hasler in fine form despite Manly woes “You’ve got to fill the hill asbestos as you can,” Hasler quipped on Friday. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/teams/sea-eagles/nrl-2019-finals-sea-eagles-vs-sharks-asbestos-lottoland-des-hasler-joke/news-story/aad9bc297a0023a0e9695593dbccb6d8
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Good luck mate, hope the weather gods are kind and it's a good night out regardless of the result.
Albo
Roar Rookie
The trouble has been their key players are all injury crocks ! Graham, Fifita, Moylan, Johnson and Dugan have had ordinary years missing a lot of games , and / or still carrying some niggles and lack of confidence to really stretch out . If they were ready to fire on all cylinders they could be contenders ?
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I think either team is buggered next weekend. It’ll be like Gallipoli. Both sides will be trying to at least go out this year on a high note. I hope the loser on the night does go out on a high note. I would like to see the ball thrown around, a fast game, and that we see a few Wingers’ tries. Neither side is on the same floor as the top four, but both have had a good season all things considered. I’ll be there in my black suit as usual with my globite containing a cheese sandwich and a thermos of - just straight up coffee of course. Go Manly, but good on the folks who make the trip from the Shire. There would be plenty of clubs happy to have supporters like you. Good job.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Hope so
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Both teams are capable of being really shabby ,, particularly the Eagles at the moment. The last time we played I gained some confidence from Dugan being the opposing fullback and he wasn't too hot as we beat the gummies. If we can get Fifita running sideways and Johnson not running at all then we may have a shot but it's hard to tell.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Well, it’s not as if the Sharks are setting the world on fire. Two weeks ago couldn’t finish the job against the Raiders then last week the Tigers didn’t throw much at them all, yet still virtually 4 all at half time, before a 10 minute spurt.. Hopefully we’ll see more ferocity from Fifita and Prior to give the outside backs a bit of charge room at Garrick..dunno if I’d play Moylan again this season, his game has sunk this year.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Good man. Have a rum on me.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Manly v Cronulla are always good games. for me, well it's up up obviously. If I try and look at this objectively Manly are busted, and the Sharks are maddeningly inconsistent so it could really be anyones game. I don't think there are any certain winners in this contest, which should make it all the better to watch. To the Manly faithful, good luck on the weekend I wish you well. I also wish I could be at the game to cheer on the mighty black white and blue, but sadly there are no buses running from Thursday Island to the game, and even if there were it would of had to leave at least four days ago. May the best aquatic themed team win.
Insider
Roar Rookie
The last 3 weeks have been our worst performances in 2019, we can only get better
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Maybe Cust in at 5/8 with Walke back in the centres may help. Brad Parker, who has been great this year, is still carrying injury
Tom G
Roar Rookie
No amount of history can help Manly on Saturday.. come kick off unless they are on it’ll be a third straight loss. I really hate to say it but they are looking like a side that has limped into the finals. The last two weeks have been uncharacteristically poor. No respect for possession, poor discipline and panicky passing all point to a side that has run out of fuel this year. Having said all of that it wouldn’t surprise me if they reverse their form on the back of the enthusiasm of the kids coming into the side.