Crazy

[Terry Zarsoff]

Who remembers this bloke? Steve ‘Crazy’ Cray, Narraweena junior, graded c.1977 and debuting in 1st grade in 1979. Wombat Eadie came up with the ‘Crazy’ moniker. At the time, he reminded a few people of a Lurch O’Neill style of prop. Sadly his last 1st grade appearance was in 1980 and that was his final season in grade:

 

[Cherryjohn]

Who remembers this bloke? Steve ‘Crazy’ Cray, Narraweena junior, graded c.1977 and debuting in 1st grade in 1979. Wombat Eadie came up with the ‘Crazy’ moniker. At the time, he reminded a few people of a Lurch O’Neill style of prop. Sadly his last 1st grade appearance was in 1980 and that was his final season in grade:
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I remember a match Manly v Cronulla. The Sharks were expected to win but Manly inspired by Rick Chisholm who scored all the points 2 tries ( 3 points in those days ) 5 goals and a field goal upset the Sharks. Steven Cray was tackled and just before hitting the deck offloaded to Chisholm who went thru chipped over the top and scored. The Pass from Cray was just magic.

 

[Freddo]

I remember him well. I loved watching him play, ran hard and straight like a runaway locomotive. The "Loco" part being a good description of how he played, took no prisoners.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I was also at that game.

I have often wondered why he finished when he did. He could have been anything.

 

[eagle66]

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

I miss the old tunnel through the hill.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Showing off. In the dressing rooms, early 1979:

 

[ManlyTragic]

I remember a match Manly v Cronulla. The Sharks were expected to win but Manly inspired by Rick Chisholm who scored all the points 2 tries ( 3 points in those days ) 5 goals and a field goal upset the Sharks. Steven Cray was tackled and just before hitting the deck offloaded to Chisholm who went thru chipped over the top and scored. The Pass from Cray was just magic.

I think Rick Chisholm may have been dropped the next game to the horror of the supporters

 

[Ron E. Gibbs]

Can he suit up on Sunday? We could use a frontrower.

 

[Bring back the.... Biff?]

What is this black and white arrrrgh its hurting my eyes make it stop !

 

[globaleagle]

What is this black and white arrrrgh its hurting my eyes make it stop !

It's actually in colour, it's just that the world was black and white back then.

 

[Blucky]

It's actually in colour, it's just that the world was black and white back then.

Which made Snooker difficult

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

It's actually in colour, it's just that the world was black and white back then.

Yes, the team colours used to be grey and white.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

In 1980 Manly won the pre-season Craven Mild Cup (by beating Balmain) & I recall that Steve Cray was a big reason why we won that comp.

 

[Sea Eagle 4 Life]

Only played 16 games for Manly in 1979 & 1980.

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

Only played 16 games for Manly in 1979 & 1980.

I remember watching him play against Saints at Jubilee in July 1980 in a high scoring draw. He didn’t have a great game and I am fairly certain that proved to be his last 1st grade appearance.

In some ways the 1979-80 period wasn’t a great time for young local juniors trying to make their mark in the firsts. Arthurson’s default position was to buy more talent from elsewhere as a result of two poor seasons in a row. That might be a reason why he gave it away.

 

[Real Deal]

If that match versus Souths was at Brookie mid 1980 I think I was there. That morning I did an apprentice selection test at Garden Island for an electrician apprenticeship I did not get. Then to Manly on the Manly Ferry Baragoola and a bus to the match. I'd forgotten about Steve Cray. He was a tough nuggetty type that aren't too common today.

 

[manly al]

Recall that Arko actually had some good wraps on him [ Steve Cray ] at one stage [ in 79 ] and was concerned that some other clubs may try and poach him , But failing to make the semis that year also influenced some additional bigger name recruiting again including name forwards . Cray was of a rugged mould and played hard from memory , thought that he may have progressed further but just did not happen for whatever reason .

 

[Terry Zarsoff]

If that match versus Souths was at Brookie mid 1980 I think I was there. That morning I did an apprentice selection test at Garden Island for an electrician apprenticeship I did not get. Then to Manly on the Manly Ferry Baragoola and a bus to the match. I'd forgotten about Steve Cray. He was a tough nuggetty type that aren't too common today.

No it was at Redfern in Aug 79. We lost that one (I think 30-12) and the game you’re talking about in 1980 at Brookvale as well.

 

[Real Deal]

Ok, thanks, Terry.