The Blindside column this week looks at Arko's push for Tooves as CEO, Max and a quiet drink, when will Snake return (?), and former player Ben Macdougall joins the Marlins.

Arko backing Tooves
FORMER Manly boss Ken Arthurson is backing Sea Eagles assistant coach Geoff Toovey to take on the vacant CEO job at the premiers.

Arthurson believes Toovey’s background, both at Manly and as a board member at the NRMA, make him the ideal man to replace outgoing CEO Grant Mayer.

“I think Geoff Toovey is a very, very capable young man,” Arko said.

“No-one’s had a better background at the club, than him.

“It’s not a necessity to have played league, but it’s a huge advantage.”

One man not interested in the gig is ex-Parramatta patriarch Denis Fitzgerald.

“It would be a great story, but I’m not interested in it, and I don’t think they would be interested in me,” he told us.

Right on both counts Fitzy.

‘Mad Pup’ a Marlin
FORMER Northern Eagles and Melbourne Storm centre Ben MacDougall has joined the Manly Marlins.

MacDougall, who went on to represent Scotland in rugby after leaving the NRL, turned out for Manly against Penrith last weekend and will back up for Saturday’s game with Parramatta at the Village Green.

“Mad Pup” is happy to play lower grades for now but there is no doubt he will be pushing for a first grade berth heading into the finals.

The Marlins have also secured the services of Western Force prop Tim Fairbrother for the remainder of the season.

Lessons learned?
WE hear Manly co-owner Max Delmege has curtailed his love of a drink.

While he hasn’t exactly stopped altogether, the Sea Eagles’ saviour has cut back, just a little.

“I still do enjoy a drink, but you’ve got to be careful these days,” Delmege said.

Will he, won’t he?
PLENTY of conflicting information out there at the moment about whether or not Manly fullback Brett Stewart will return this year to help lead the Sea Eagles into the finals.

Some say he will be back in two weeks, others say he’s gone for the season.

Understandably, “Snake” was not keen to talk when contacted this week to help settle the matter.

And while stand-in Michael Robertson has done a great job, there is no doubt with their brilliant No.1 back on deck, the premiers can go all the way.

BErKeLEy_eAgLe said the following on Fri Jul 3 0:28 2009

Will he, won’t he? sounds like a Des under the Radar thing

CliffyIsGod said the following on Fri Jul 3 0:16 2009

Thanks for clearing nothing up in regards to Snake, Zorba...

Kiwi Eagle said the following on Fri Jul 3 0:15 2009

Ok, thanx MB. Still think they could do well leaving that info out of things though

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