AFTER being shunned on live television for years Channel 9 has finally decided that the Manly Sea Eagles are one of the biggest draw cards and admired clubs in the NRL.
The Sea Eagles players will be stars of their own six week mini series to start off the 2014 premiership with three Friday night and three Sunday afternoon games in succession from round two through to round seven.
After a Fox Sports blockbuster at Brookvale Oval on Saturday March 8 against arch rivals Melbourne to kick off the season, Manly go live on free to air against Souths (Gosford), Parramatta (Brookvale Oval), Roosters (Allianz), Wests Tigers (Leichhardt), Cronulla, (Brookvale) and Cowboys (Brookvale) to complete the most televised start the club has enjoyed in it's history.
Manly's four grand final appearances in seven years has the club enjoying great popularity which clearly shows in the increase in membership and merchandise sold.
But coach Geoff Toovey revealed another reason to a group of sponsors at Narrabeen on Thursday........a spectacular try scoring brand of football.
Toovey said he had been informed by statisticians that the Manly backline last year scored more tries combined than any in the game's history.
The Sea Eagles potent backline will all be backing up again in 2014 with Brett Stewart, David Williams, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Jorge Taufua, Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans a star studded seven.
Toovey's revelation is an interesting observation with most pundits applauding Manly more for their toughness, spirit and will to win more than the brilliant brand of football they can play and are encouraged to play under Geoff Toovey's coaching.
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