G
Guest
Guest
Jake Lingard will carry Manly's hopes. P
IT’S a rivalry that stretches back over 60 years when the Sea Eagles were desperately trying to force their way into top-flight rugby league.
Manly eventually knocked down the door in 1947, giving young footballers on the northern beaches a crack at the big time.
At the same time, it denied North Sydney a significant catchment area.
It was the start of a bitter feud between the two clubs that has lasted more than six decades and peaked during the disastrous Northern Eagles merger.
While the two clubs no longer battle each other in the national competition, the intense rivalry is still very much alive.
And it will continue on Friday night as Manly’s Toyota Cup speedster Jake Lingard and the Bears’ Ricky Morris battle players from seven other NRL clubs to find the fastest man in rugby league.
The race is part of the inaugural $30,000 Ken Irvine Gift meeting at North Sydney Oval.
“I don’t want to lose to anyone let alone (Norths runner Ricky Morris),†Lingard said at North Sydney Oval yesterday.
“I would like to win the whole thing to be honest but don’t think I’m that quick.
“It (the Sea Eagles-Bears) rivalry was a bit before my time.
“Growing up my old man supported Manly, so I knew a bit about it.â€Â
But someone who knows a lot more about the rivalry is former Bears five-eighth and current club chief executive Greg Florimo.
“I didn’t identify with it so much when I was playing, it was something that was played out more by coaches and officials,†Florimo said.
“But since I’ve become an administrator of the club I’ve seen how much it means.
“Especially with the fans, they’re still very passionate about it.
“There’s always a lot of interest between Manly and Norths and I think this will be the same.
“Hopefully it will be neck and neck all the way but we’ll pip (Lingard) at the post.â€Â
The league player’s race will be held over 91m (100 yards), the distance in which Irvine broke the world record as a professional in 1963.
It is one of the three feature events on the night. A professional men’s and women’s race will be also held over 110m.
Races commence from 6.30pm.
Lets hope that there is an all in brawl like the old days.
IT’S a rivalry that stretches back over 60 years when the Sea Eagles were desperately trying to force their way into top-flight rugby league.
Manly eventually knocked down the door in 1947, giving young footballers on the northern beaches a crack at the big time.
At the same time, it denied North Sydney a significant catchment area.
It was the start of a bitter feud between the two clubs that has lasted more than six decades and peaked during the disastrous Northern Eagles merger.
While the two clubs no longer battle each other in the national competition, the intense rivalry is still very much alive.
And it will continue on Friday night as Manly’s Toyota Cup speedster Jake Lingard and the Bears’ Ricky Morris battle players from seven other NRL clubs to find the fastest man in rugby league.
The race is part of the inaugural $30,000 Ken Irvine Gift meeting at North Sydney Oval.
“I don’t want to lose to anyone let alone (Norths runner Ricky Morris),†Lingard said at North Sydney Oval yesterday.
“I would like to win the whole thing to be honest but don’t think I’m that quick.
“It (the Sea Eagles-Bears) rivalry was a bit before my time.
“Growing up my old man supported Manly, so I knew a bit about it.â€Â
But someone who knows a lot more about the rivalry is former Bears five-eighth and current club chief executive Greg Florimo.
“I didn’t identify with it so much when I was playing, it was something that was played out more by coaches and officials,†Florimo said.
“But since I’ve become an administrator of the club I’ve seen how much it means.
“Especially with the fans, they’re still very passionate about it.
“There’s always a lot of interest between Manly and Norths and I think this will be the same.
“Hopefully it will be neck and neck all the way but we’ll pip (Lingard) at the post.â€Â
The league player’s race will be held over 91m (100 yards), the distance in which Irvine broke the world record as a professional in 1963.
It is one of the three feature events on the night. A professional men’s and women’s race will be also held over 110m.
Races commence from 6.30pm.
Lets hope that there is an all in brawl like the old days.