I miss Stevie

[manlyfan76]

And remember people ... Stevie was all Manly.

He made his debut for Manly. He played his entire career for Manly. He retired while at Manly.

It was from Manly that Matai became a bona fide New Zealand international, playing 10 tests and 2 non-test internationals for his country from 2006-2010, including being part of the 2008 World Cup winning squad.

It was at Manly that he became a two time NRL Premiership winner including playing in the team that has the record winning score in a Grand Final dating back to 1908.

It was with Manly that Matai won the World Club Championship.

We all remember the hits he produced. He's recently been voted by the fans as the hardest hitter in top grade rugby league for the past 30 years. Given the stick he received from opposition fans through his career, that's huge that he's been recognised that way by not just Manly fans. But he was more than that. In 231 games for the Sea Eagles between 2005 and 2016 (10th all time), he scored 91 tries which is 4th on our all time list behind only Snake, Beaver and Bozo. And I wouldn't even try to guess how many tries he set up for his team mates in that time. In a way its Beaver in opposite. Menzies was best known as a try scorer, but he was a top class defender. Matai was known as a hard hitting defender, but he was top class in attack. He wasn't blessed with Brett Stewart like pace, but his support play and ball skills were up there with the best of them.

Steve Matai is a Manly and NRL legend.

Very well put.

 

[manlyfan76]

Always was impressed with the way he used to back himself and competitive mindset . Even in his Manly debut against a strong Storm side at Brookvale in early 2005 or so and as a virtual unknown from the Ipswich comp , just a solid and steady effort . Great defense and fearless hitter [ but could get beaten occasionally by a good stepping opponent ] but also of course a smart and strong attacking centre with a good try strike rate as has already been mentioned . Pretty adept at setting up his winger too .Not to mention his high pain threshold Maybe not notable in the Manly sphere in recent times but regardless , what a great legacy to be remembered by .

His pain tolerance was as good as any athlete ever.