1996 vs 2008 Manly

[Hunter Valley Eagle]

Good morning,

Just curious as to your opinions on who would win this match up in their heyday?

I know it’s hard to compare different eras with the way the game continues to develop, but still interested in responses.

Personally I would go with the 96 side on the back of the amazing defence that side had, though the 2008 sides finals campaign was something special.

Cheers,
HV Eagle.

 

[jbb/james]

No one beats either side. Golden point draw

 

[Woodsie]

Any team that wins a Grandfinal in a record score of 40 - 0 will do me ... second place .. daylight.

 

[Mal Cochrane]

That is hard, I thought the 96 team should have had another GF in 95 or 97, but it wasn't to be. They were the best team during those 3 years.

I say don't compare, too hard, not fair, so just enjoy what they were

 

[Disco]

1996 IMO

 

[The Who]

I think our 1973 team was sensational:
FB1Graham EadieLW2Ken IrvineCE3Ray BranighanCE4Bob FultonRW5Max BrownFE6Ian MartinHB7Johnny MayesLK8Mal ReillySR9Terry RandallSR10Peter PetersPR11John O'NeillHK12Fred Jones (c)PR13Bill HamiltonSubstitutions:IC14John BucknallIC15Coach: Ron Willey

 

[Rocky]

That is hard, I thought the 96 team should have had another GF in 95 or 97, but it wasn't to be. They were the best team during those 3 years.

I say don't compare, too hard, not fair, so just enjoy what they were

Yep clearly the best team for 3 years - feels like winning only one premiership was unders.

 

[maxta]

Nup 2008....though the 1996 side had maybe the best defensive record ever, they lost to the dogs in the GF which was damn sad.
That 96 GF Manly got some tough calls, but were basically ambushed and bustled by Terry Lamb and his Dogs in the decider....this was a damn sad day and I don't reckon that 2008 Manly side would have allowed this to happen.
Also the 2008 record result of 40 zip, gives me no choice but to hand Manly 2008 the verdict by KO and I reckon they earned this recognition by way of result on both the field and scoreboard.

 

[IQofalimabean]

Well the 08 side went onto win the 2011 grandfinal too. I think if any player could crack the 96 side defence it would be Brett stewart. I would go the 08 side because the storm team they beat in the grandfinal were a lot better than the 96 dragons team.

 

[QueefRichards]

2008 era because they won the big games when it mattered

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Nup 2008....though the 1996 side had maybe the best defensive record ever, they lost to the dogs in the GF which was damn sad.
That 96 GF Manly got some tough calls, but were basically ambushed and bustled by Terry Lamb and his Dogs in the decider....this was a damn sad day and I don't reckon that 2008 Manly side would have allowed this to happen.
Also the 2008 record result of 40 zip, gives me no choice but to hand Manly 2008 the verdict by KO and I reckon they earned this recognition by way of result on both the field and scoreboard.

Perhaps you meant 1995? M-W won in 1996.

 

[lsz]

Nup 2008....though the 1996 side had maybe the best defensive record ever, they lost to the dogs in the GF which was damn sad.
That 96 GF Manly got some tough calls, but were basically ambushed and bustled by Terry Lamb and his Dogs in the decider....this was a damn sad day and I don't reckon that 2008 Manly side would have allowed this to happen.
Also the 2008 record result of 40 zip, gives me no choice but to hand Manly 2008 the verdict by KO and I reckon they earned this recognition by way of result on both the field and scoreboard.

It is tough as you could argue the same happened to the 2007 team

For me 1996 would have strangled the life out of 08

 

[40 nil]

It would be difficult to choose a composite 17 from the 1996 & 2008 teams, especially if there is the proviso that players aren't selected out of their usual positions. I think the 1996 team would dominate selection, esp. in the forwards.

1996:
1 Matthew Ridge 2 Danny Moore 3 Craig Innes 4 Terry Hill 5 John Hopoate 13 Nik Kosef 7 Geoff Toovey (c) 17 David Gillespie 9 Jim Serdaris 10 Mark Carroll 11 Steve Menzies 12 Daniel Gartner 8 Owen Cunningham, bench 6 Cliff Lyons 14 Neil Tierney 16 Des Hasler 19 Craig Hancock, Coach Bob Fulton.

2008:
1 Brett Stewart, 2 Michael Robertson, 3 Steven Bell, 4 Steve Matai, 5 David Williams, 6 Jamie Lyon, 7 Matt Orford (c), 8 Brent Kite, 9 Matt Ballin, 10 Josh Perry, 11 Anthony Watmough, 12 Glen Hall, 13 Glenn Stewart; interchange 14 Heath L'Estrange, 15 Mark Bryant, 16 Jason King, 17 Steve Menzies. Coach: Des Hasler.

 

[Peter C]

1996 team had better players, 2008 was a better team, any team that wins it's finals games, 38-6, 32-6, 40-0, would have to be outstanding.

 

[mickqld]

110-12 in the 3 games 2008 finals series. 60-22 in 1996. The 2008 side wins hands down. Only one forward on the bench in 1996.

 

[maxta]

Perhaps you meant 1995? M-W won in 1996.

I did .... was 95 against St Illawarra - still take the Manly 08 team

 

[maxta]

It is tough as you could argue the same happened to the 2007 team

For me 1996 would have strangled the life out of 08

I can't see it....just after the BK influence players like Watmough, Gift and Kite had built a toughness and resilience that would have stood up to any opposition....I think the Brett Stewart brilliance would have been the difference and that finals series Orford was absolutely as dominant as any 7 ever remember at finals time.

 

[lsz]

I can't see it....just after the BK influence players like Watmough, Gift and Kite had built a toughness and resilience that would have stood up to any opposition....I think the Brett Stewart brilliance would have been the difference and that finals series Orford was absolutely as dominant as any 7 ever remember in that particular series.

(this is fun)

The 96 team had one of the best defences in any era

ARL 1996 Optus Cup - RLP

A complete wrap of the 1996 ARL season.

www.rugbyleagueproject.org

8 points per game

Grand final team...that is a hell of a team who also won the minor prem

FB	1	Matthew Ridge
RW	2	Danny Moore
LC	3	Craig Innes
RC	4	Terry Hill
LW	5	John Hopoate
FE	13	Nik Kosef
HB	7	Geoff Toovey (c)
PR	17	David Gillespie
HK	9	Jim Serdaris
PR	10	Mark Carroll
SR	11	Steve Menzies
SR	12	Daniel Gartner
LK	8	Owen Cunningham
Substitutions:
IC	6	Cliff Lyons
IC	14	Neil Tierney
IC	16	Des Hasler
IC	19	Craig Hancock
Coach:

 

[maxta]

Nik Kosef at 5/8 - big man, but had silky skills

Strong side and could debate this from both sides....

 

[Dion Johnson]

1996, Cliffy off the bench what a luxury!!!