SEA EAGLES BACK IN FULL TRAINING
9/01/2006
By Zorba
The Manly Sea Eagles resumed summer training under coach Des Hasler at the Sydney Academy of Sport on Thursday January 5.
The only player missing from the post Xmas session was Test lock Ben Kennedy who has been given extra time off following his return from the recent Tri Nations tour to England and France.
The Sea Eagles looked especially sharp at training with newcomers Steve Bell and Matt Orford showing the way. Both former Storm stars are delighted with the off season training program at their new club.
"It's got a lot of variety and different to what we did at the Storm - the facilities and support staff for training sessions is the big difference," Orford said.
"Using the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen for our training headquarters is ideal for a football side and we have to ensure we make the most of it.
"A change of clubs has given me new goals and I can't wait to get started," Orford said.
Other newcomers to the club who have impressed at training including young ex Bulldog forward Jason Wells, ex Canberra winger Michael Robertson and giant Kiwi forward Sione Finefeuiaki.
Last season's Premier League halfback Travis Burns is also impressing coach Hasler. Burns has put on seven kgs of muscle and is eager for a chance to have a crack at the five eighth spot.
The youngster has loads of ability and has shown promising signs of maturing as a player in his 12 months at the club.
********************************
Congratulations to Steve Bell and his wife Tracey on the birth of their baby daughter last week.
Both mum and baby are doing fine after the birth in the Mater Hospital at Crows Nest. Proud grandparents were down from Queensland for the birth.
********************************
Manly players will help the Manly Leagues Club promote its new Monday night poker tournaments commencing next Monday, January 9 in the club's Peninsula Room.
Steve Menzies, Chris Hicks, Jason King, Brett and Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough are keen players and will try their luck at the fun tournament. It costs nothing to play and you can't lose anything. Winners accumulate points to qualify for the Australian Poker League tournament finals in Melbourne where the winner will win big.
So you may not be able to beat Beaver and Hicksy at footy but you can take them on in poker starting next Monday night.
Registration is at 6.30pm for 7.30pm
Texas Hold Em Poker is taking the world by storm with several clubs in Sydney now holding tournaments.
********************************
Trial dates to remember:
Saturday, February 18 MANLY SEA EAGLES V SYDNEY ROOSTERS at Gosford.
Saturday, February 25 MANLY SEA EAGLES V WESTS TIGERS at Brookvale Oval (all grades).
The trial game against the premiers at Brookvale will be a gala day and the first time in many years the Sea Eagles have played their final official trial at home.
The junior representative teams from Matthew Shield, SG Ball will start the day followed by Jersey Flegg, Premier League and then NRL.
It will be the final trial for the NRL squad before the start of the premiership against Canberra under lights on Saturday, March 11 at 7.30 p.m.
A feature of the gala day will be the first appearance of the Sea Eagles new catering group - the aptly named Fit For A King. Fit For A King have signed a long term contract with the Sea Eagles and will bring an exciting new look to catering at sporting events.
********************************
Former English and Sea Eagles star forward Phil Lowe is holidaying in Australia and is keen to return for the 30 year SCG celebration grand final replay clash with Parramatta on April 30 (round 11).
Lowe scored a memorable try in the grand final and wants to meet up with his former team mates and opposition who will be special guests at the match.
Manly's appearance at the SCG will be the club's first since winning the last grand final played at the ground - against Canberra in 1987.
********************************
Steve Menzies will sport an army style short back and sides for the start of what may be his final season in the mighty maroon and white.
Beaver isn't thinking too far ahead and just wants to enjoy the 2006 season before he decides his immediate future.
He is faced with three options - another season with Manly, a season or two in the English Super League or ....heaven forbid, retirement. The last option is the least likely with Menzies admitting he couldn't face life without football.
Menzies started his great career in first grade way back in 1993 with the Sea Eagles and has been a one club player.
The greatest try scoring forward in the history of the game (155),Menzies needs just 11 games to reach his 300th first grade game for the club. Only Cliffy Lyons has passed that milestone at Manly.
If the Beaver can sidestep injury he is likely to play his 300th game at Brookvale Oval against the Melbourne Storm.
********************************
Manly will be well off for halfbacks for many years to come.
Matt Orford's arrival at Manly seals the spot for his four year term but he will have great back up support from Michael Monaghan, Michael Witt and boom youngster Travis Burns if needed.
The Jersey Flag have a future star in livewire halfback Adam Groom.
Groom is working on the Sea Eagles development staff and is in full training with the NRL squad. He has relished the opportunity and is looking fantastic on the summer training program. Mark him down as a player of the future.
********************************
The media are keen to keep having uninformed picks at who will captain the Sea Eagles in the 2006 premiership campaign. But the decision rests solely with coach Des Hasler and he isn't considering making an announcement for some time yet.
"It will be done before the start of the premiership - I'm in no hurry and we have other priorities at the moment, "Hasler said.
Suggestions that Steve Bell will skipper the Sea Eagles in his first season with the club surprised Hasler.
"Belly has enough on his mind at the moment with a new club and a new baby daughter - I'll be happy for him just to play like the class centre he is without loading him up with the responsibility of the captaincy," Hasler said.
9/01/2006
By Zorba
The Manly Sea Eagles resumed summer training under coach Des Hasler at the Sydney Academy of Sport on Thursday January 5.
The only player missing from the post Xmas session was Test lock Ben Kennedy who has been given extra time off following his return from the recent Tri Nations tour to England and France.
The Sea Eagles looked especially sharp at training with newcomers Steve Bell and Matt Orford showing the way. Both former Storm stars are delighted with the off season training program at their new club.
"It's got a lot of variety and different to what we did at the Storm - the facilities and support staff for training sessions is the big difference," Orford said.
"Using the Sydney Academy of Sport at Narrabeen for our training headquarters is ideal for a football side and we have to ensure we make the most of it.
"A change of clubs has given me new goals and I can't wait to get started," Orford said.
Other newcomers to the club who have impressed at training including young ex Bulldog forward Jason Wells, ex Canberra winger Michael Robertson and giant Kiwi forward Sione Finefeuiaki.
Last season's Premier League halfback Travis Burns is also impressing coach Hasler. Burns has put on seven kgs of muscle and is eager for a chance to have a crack at the five eighth spot.
The youngster has loads of ability and has shown promising signs of maturing as a player in his 12 months at the club.
********************************
Congratulations to Steve Bell and his wife Tracey on the birth of their baby daughter last week.
Both mum and baby are doing fine after the birth in the Mater Hospital at Crows Nest. Proud grandparents were down from Queensland for the birth.
********************************
Manly players will help the Manly Leagues Club promote its new Monday night poker tournaments commencing next Monday, January 9 in the club's Peninsula Room.
Steve Menzies, Chris Hicks, Jason King, Brett and Glenn Stewart and Anthony Watmough are keen players and will try their luck at the fun tournament. It costs nothing to play and you can't lose anything. Winners accumulate points to qualify for the Australian Poker League tournament finals in Melbourne where the winner will win big.
So you may not be able to beat Beaver and Hicksy at footy but you can take them on in poker starting next Monday night.
Registration is at 6.30pm for 7.30pm
Texas Hold Em Poker is taking the world by storm with several clubs in Sydney now holding tournaments.
********************************
Trial dates to remember:
Saturday, February 18 MANLY SEA EAGLES V SYDNEY ROOSTERS at Gosford.
Saturday, February 25 MANLY SEA EAGLES V WESTS TIGERS at Brookvale Oval (all grades).
The trial game against the premiers at Brookvale will be a gala day and the first time in many years the Sea Eagles have played their final official trial at home.
The junior representative teams from Matthew Shield, SG Ball will start the day followed by Jersey Flegg, Premier League and then NRL.
It will be the final trial for the NRL squad before the start of the premiership against Canberra under lights on Saturday, March 11 at 7.30 p.m.
A feature of the gala day will be the first appearance of the Sea Eagles new catering group - the aptly named Fit For A King. Fit For A King have signed a long term contract with the Sea Eagles and will bring an exciting new look to catering at sporting events.
********************************
Former English and Sea Eagles star forward Phil Lowe is holidaying in Australia and is keen to return for the 30 year SCG celebration grand final replay clash with Parramatta on April 30 (round 11).
Lowe scored a memorable try in the grand final and wants to meet up with his former team mates and opposition who will be special guests at the match.
Manly's appearance at the SCG will be the club's first since winning the last grand final played at the ground - against Canberra in 1987.
********************************
Steve Menzies will sport an army style short back and sides for the start of what may be his final season in the mighty maroon and white.
Beaver isn't thinking too far ahead and just wants to enjoy the 2006 season before he decides his immediate future.
He is faced with three options - another season with Manly, a season or two in the English Super League or ....heaven forbid, retirement. The last option is the least likely with Menzies admitting he couldn't face life without football.
Menzies started his great career in first grade way back in 1993 with the Sea Eagles and has been a one club player.
The greatest try scoring forward in the history of the game (155),Menzies needs just 11 games to reach his 300th first grade game for the club. Only Cliffy Lyons has passed that milestone at Manly.
If the Beaver can sidestep injury he is likely to play his 300th game at Brookvale Oval against the Melbourne Storm.
********************************
Manly will be well off for halfbacks for many years to come.
Matt Orford's arrival at Manly seals the spot for his four year term but he will have great back up support from Michael Monaghan, Michael Witt and boom youngster Travis Burns if needed.
The Jersey Flag have a future star in livewire halfback Adam Groom.
Groom is working on the Sea Eagles development staff and is in full training with the NRL squad. He has relished the opportunity and is looking fantastic on the summer training program. Mark him down as a player of the future.
********************************
The media are keen to keep having uninformed picks at who will captain the Sea Eagles in the 2006 premiership campaign. But the decision rests solely with coach Des Hasler and he isn't considering making an announcement for some time yet.
"It will be done before the start of the premiership - I'm in no hurry and we have other priorities at the moment, "Hasler said.
Suggestions that Steve Bell will skipper the Sea Eagles in his first season with the club surprised Hasler.
"Belly has enough on his mind at the moment with a new club and a new baby daughter - I'll be happy for him just to play like the class centre he is without loading him up with the responsibility of the captaincy," Hasler said.
