Stevie Matai's entrance back onto Brookie on Friday night was one of the bravest and most inspirational things I've seen from a Sea Eagle in recent years. We all know he has terrible neck/shoulder issues, and he looked like he was in extreme pain when he left the field....and then he comes back out....obviously still in pain....and does a hit up! Now that's close to insanity, but is also why Skivvi is revered by the Sea Eagles faithful. This was not a semi-final, Grand Final or anything of the sort....but it obviously mattered to Skivvi, and that is absolutely inspirational stuff!
So I thought about some inspirational moments or people.
1. Geoff Toovey. Everything about him screams inspiration, both as a player (the way he put the Chief and others on their backside), as a coach (the way he keeps turning up for more and more) and as a person (no excuses and no hiding!)
2. Ben Kennedy. Again it was the winners attitude. He signs with us and I remember him telling journalists that Manly (and we were still reeling from the Nth Eagles debacle) were 'title bound'. You could see at times his body was on the verge of falling apart....so he'd do another hitup, and offload!
3. Brent Kite taking on the Dogs Forward pack. I can't remember the year, it was around 2008. And he just tore the Dogs forward pack (which at the time was very formidable forward pack) apart.
4. Jamie Lyons ballbusting against Souths in the PF 2013. Having named myself Killer03 I obviously love Jamie with a passion, but this captain knock when were down 14-0 and struggling, to get us to win 30-20 was just brilliant.
5. Matt Ballin. Tough, prepared to do the work others don't. And someone who loves the club.....who can't be inspired by that?
So I thought about some inspirational moments or people.
1. Geoff Toovey. Everything about him screams inspiration, both as a player (the way he put the Chief and others on their backside), as a coach (the way he keeps turning up for more and more) and as a person (no excuses and no hiding!)
2. Ben Kennedy. Again it was the winners attitude. He signs with us and I remember him telling journalists that Manly (and we were still reeling from the Nth Eagles debacle) were 'title bound'. You could see at times his body was on the verge of falling apart....so he'd do another hitup, and offload!
3. Brent Kite taking on the Dogs Forward pack. I can't remember the year, it was around 2008. And he just tore the Dogs forward pack (which at the time was very formidable forward pack) apart.
4. Jamie Lyons ballbusting against Souths in the PF 2013. Having named myself Killer03 I obviously love Jamie with a passion, but this captain knock when were down 14-0 and struggling, to get us to win 30-20 was just brilliant.
5. Matt Ballin. Tough, prepared to do the work others don't. And someone who loves the club.....who can't be inspired by that?