My top 10 experiences supporting Manly

sheridanstand78

First Grader
Hey there everyone, 2025 makes it the 50th year of supporting Manly and I want to let you know what are my top ten moments that I enjoyed the most over this time. Please note that these are games I actually attended.

Moment 10:

The 1976 grand final win. I was 9 years of age, my Dad started taking me to home games at Brookvale, we resided in Avalon and it was so much fun growing up on the northern beaches when the club dominated the league, that grand final win was extra special as the majority of my family support Parramatta and I remember my hero Wombat Eadie kicking 5 pressure goals to win the match.

Moment 9:

Slaying the Dragons 61-0 at Brookvale in July 1994. The Dragons were in the previous 2 grand finals and were a decent team and on this day everything Manly did turned to gold and they inflicted a record defeat on Saints, I remember Ridgey kicking his 10th goal to get us over 60 points and if was a Sunday arvo with 22K crowd there, that was a special day.

Moment 8:

Hammering the Broncos at Brooky in 1995. The score was 23-4, the day the Ken Arthurson stand opened and it was a significant day in that the Broncos stood for everything we resented in relation to Super League and there was 25K Manly fans who wanted blood. I don't think I've ever seen a Manly home game where the locals were as intimidating. The Broncos were no chance, red letter day for Manly!

Moment 7:

Watching Manly beat Canberra in 1987, it was a scorching hot day and Manly were very much the better side, created most of the chances, bombed at least 5 tries which made the win harder. I remember Kevin Ward play the game of his life, coming out from the UK, Cliffy won the Churchill medal and he was amazing that day, I remember getting back to a packed leagues club and welcome home the players, that was a great moment.

Moment 6:

Watching Manly beat the Bulldogs at Belmore 8-7 in 1982. This was a win totally against the odds, that day we were reduced to 11 men, had a huge penalty count against us and managed to cling on to a win in the pouring rain. Belmore was often a graveyard for us back in that era and there was an almighty brawl at the southern shed where our fans were subjected to a lot of abuse and before you knew it total melee and the cops had a hell of a job breaking it up. One of my favourite away days.

Moment 5:

The battle of Brookvale against the Melbourne Storm. Wow what a night, so much at stake, just before the finals and Manly were really fired up and shot out to a good lead before all hell broke loose and drizzle player Blair had a cheap shot at one of our players and he and Gifty were binned before it totally erupted near the entrance to the field, it was wild and so many players were suspended after that game. I thought it really showed we were primed to win in 2011 and the Drizzle remain a huge foe for us!

Moment 4:

The 2011 grand final, our last premiership and again inclement weather made it a tough day for the players, they outlasted the Warriors 24-10 and I will always remember watching Snake and Gifty score tries and how Jamie Lyon capped it off with a try at the end. The world was against us that week and the team did so well and won a fantastic premiership.

Moment 3:

Winning 64-12 at Parramatta stadium, round 3 in 1988. That was an amazing day and as Manly buried the whingers on their own patch, try and try was scored and with 15 to go their fans left in droves, it did not make up for the grand final losses in 82 and 83, that was agony for all of us. It was satisfying to smash them and give them a hiding they will never forget.

Moment 2:

The 2008 grand final win was the perfect day for Manly fans. It was also very emotional for a lot of us older fans who watched the chaotic and dreadful Northern Eagles era, where we lost our club and that was heartbreaking and within 6 years we were premiers and we destroyed our enemy in the Drizzle who toyed with us the previous year. To see the Beaver score his try brought tears to my eyes as he was a constant for so many years and the joy back at the club was amazing as the team took its revenge on the previous year and very satisfying to see Michael Crocker dealt with after what he did to Snake the previous year.

Moment 1:

You notice that my nickname on here is Sheridan Stand and there is a good reason for that. The 1978 finals was without a doubt the most satisfying time to support Manly, it did not start well, we were huge favourites to beat the Sharks in the first final and perished 12-17. That meant we had Parramatta to deal with and over the 2 games we were under the cosh and behind in both matches. The courage the team showed to get off the canvass to draw the first game and then come from behind to win the replay was breathtaking. To then back up 3 days later, playing a full strength Wests team who were minor premiers and to silence them 14-7 ranks as one of the gutsiest wins ever! Then a grand final where it did not go our way for most of the match and we got an 11 all draw and faced a grand final replay 3 days later, wow that team became immortal for me as they smashed the Sharks 16-0 and the Wombat tortured them. Tuesday the 19th will always be a special day for me.

Well that wraps it up, I would to learn about others favourite moments supporting Manly?
 
WOW!! 50 years congratulations, hopefully the club can add a few more great memories..

Your moment 7 is one I really enjoyed, very good era and probably should have added another one or two premierships with that squad, Cliffy what a great player.

Moment 2, that one was the icing on the cake with Beaver going out the way he did, the score line 40-0 in a grand final will most likely never happen again.

Of recent times 2021 flogging the Donkeys at Suncorp, 50-6 and to back it up the following week with a win over the Eels at Commbank Stadium, the tribute match as it turned out to Bobby Fulton.
 
I've been supporting the team for 50 years also.

Number 7 was the first grand final I ever went to, was a great day and went back to the club after the game. Had to call in sick to work the next day

Number 4 was another grand final I attended, was in a corporate box and most were going for the Warriors because of the we hate Manly thing.

Number 3 Was at the game with about 10 mates with just 2 of us being Manly fans, from memory we were behind early in the game

Number 2 winning by a record score and Beaver scoring in his last match. I always thought that winning margin would never be beaten but with the way the game is a points fest now it's only a matter of time.
 
Fantastic , my first GF, 1973, haven’t missed one since, I was 18 and lived in the bush so never in fact visited Brookvale for a game until that day in the early 80’s ( not sure 82 or 83) where we played Parramatta ( and sadly lost ) but where the ground record was set, I think there was something like 27500 in. Absolutely packed to the gunnels.

My special moments ( game day) in no particular order , v the Bronco’s , at Brooky , where Terry Hill stormed down the sideline to snatch the game against a Donkey side who went on to win the GF.

My brother lived ( lives ) at Penrith so took me to a game there a few times , I think we beat the Panthers 72-0 or 68-0 , would have been the 70’s.

Some of the games v the Bronco’s at Suncorp when I was doing the MWTS stuff , a remember winning a game from a Jamie Lyon “ torso try” & another when the Wolfman scored in the corner with literally 7 seconds left on the clock. Bay 318 went ballistic & one of the few times where all the players rushed over to the fence to embrace the travelling supporters en masse.

The World Club Challenge experience is a special one , different country , fabulous camaraderie and the singing by the English fans in the stands , incredible.

I’ll be 70 in December, I really got going as a supporter in my mid teens , then mostly listening via radio ( almost the only option ) and the occasional black & white TV, ABC Saturday “ game of the round “.

I envy everyone that has been able to attend home games on a regular basis , nothing like being amongst your own.

Sadly I rarely go to games these days , my Prostate Cancer journey has left me with a very damaged bladder ( not repairable I’m afraid ) and as much as I love a beer if I do that I virtually have to have a toilet nearby as “ when you gotta go , well you gotta go & quickly “.

But boy oh boy it’s been a journey ( the footy ).

Thanks for those memories @sheridanstand78
 
You old bastards !! 😉

Most of my ones have been well covered already, 2008 GF etc

I’ll toss a new one into the mix, 2009 Brett Stewart comes back from that ridiculous suspension against the Tigers, and crosses the line 3 times, was awesome to watch on the TV

2008 I was in Oz and went to watch us play at Parramatta Stadium. Bani was stretchered off early, Beaver did a hammy, few other lads got injured, but they dug in and pulled off an amazing win, and from that point it looked like a premiership was imminent. Vivid memory of sitting there watching Mark Bryant take a kickoff return and hobble into the defensive line on 1 leg, huge ticker
 
Without doubt the 2008 kickarse win against our no1 enemy, the Storm.
Me and the wife couldn't get tickets for the GF, so we booked a long weekend stay at the Barracks at North Head. What a view of the Heads and beyond into the harbour. Then on the day headed to Manly Leagues Club and a catch up with friends and supporters at the then Sports Bar. What a day that was, once Matty B scored, the score just kept going moving up like a good pokie machine should. The atmosphere at the Club was just electric. Got to meet soom of the players when they got back, even Beaver paused at the door entrance so i could touch the Prem Trophy. Moments that you don't forget...
 
I love every Manly Win, but personally the gutsy close games against the odds are every bit as good as flogging teams by 60.
It's like so many different games with elite favourite players involved....I first got into footy as a lil kid in 80's and Manly had Blake, Boyd and a whole heap of others and the n Mick O'Connor, Lyons came along - enter 90's with Spud, Killer and my fave Snake Stewart and every game they were involved in and got the W and into today with Hamole, Turbo, DCE...always been a supporter who is passionate enough where a great Manly Win makes my day sweeter...maybe the week !!
Ok there was a favourite....it was 1987 at Redfern oval and against a Monster Souths pack, where the dust was flying, with Rambo Ron Gibbs, Crusher and my favourite front rower ever Kevin Ward ripping in and eventually got on top after being down 2 tries with Souths supporteres thinking they had us on the rack and most teams getting pummeled and down against a scary Souths team in front of a hostile Rabbits crowd would have copped a 50+ point spanking, but Manly had other ideas.
Ron Gibbs scored 1 of the best ever Manly tries after a few offloads 30+ metres out and Rambo Gibbs puts in a high long chip through which he regathered on the full diving at full stretch for a try to say "we are not going away"
Cliff Lyons was dominant as always and the hooker Mal Cochrane had a sensational game and he was another handy dummy half we once had.
Manly won 16 - 13 after trailing I think 10 nil mid 1st half in a gritty game full of Monster hits and brilliant slick passing movements in i very high quality game.

Actually here it is for the young Silvertails :wait:

1987 Classic Match: Sea Eagles vs Souths​

Ahead of our Round 8 Telstra Premiership match in Gosford on Friday night, we take a trip down memory lane ahead at one of the great contests with the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

The date was July 19, 1987, a round 20 match at Redfern Oval, in front of a record crowd of 23,257 fans, with Manly winning 16-13.


After falling short of their premiership aspirations in 1986, the 1987 Sea Eagles squad finished the season as Minor Premiers before going on to win the Grand Final against the Canberra Raiders.

South Sydney also had premiership aspirations in 1987 but finished fifth for the season.

After Souths beat Manly 28-18 in Round 7, one of the game's of the season was played in round 20 at Redfern Ova with Manly searching for their 11th consecutive victory.

South Sydney opened the scoring through a brilliant solo effort from half-back Craig Coleman before a further try to Steve Mavin from a well worked scrum play saw the home side lead 10-0.

Three of Manly’s favorite sons Des Hasler, Cliffy Lyons and Paul Vautin combined before Ron 'Rambo' Gibbs crossed in what later was a contender for 'try of the year' after an incredible chip and chase for a 10-4 scoreline. Who said forwards shouldn’t kick!



Round 20 1987 - Extended Highlights : Souths v Sea Eagles

Round 20 1987 - Extended Highlights : Souths v Sea Eagles


Round 20 1987 - Extended Highlights : Souths v Sea Eagles
A ruck infringement from England prop Kevin Ward saw South Sydney convert a penalty goal for a 12-4 lead. Even today, Many are still scratching their heads as to what the infringement was for?

South Sydney then gave away a penalty in the ruck, allowing hooker Mal Cochrane to convert for a 12-6 scoreline.

Another Cochrane penalty goal, followed by a field goal by Souths five eighth Mark Ellison, saw the Sea Eagles trail 13-8 at half-time

Cochrane slotted another penalty goal to open the second half scoring to maker it 13-10 before some individual brilliance from Manly five-eighth Cliff Lyons from a scrum win gave Manly a 16-13 lead.

The Sea Eagles then dug deep late in the match to secure a well earned away victory.
 
You old bastards !! 😉

Most of my ones have been well covered already, 2008 GF etc

I’ll toss a new one into the mix, 2009 Brett Stewart comes back from that ridiculous suspension against the Tigers, and crosses the line 3 times, was awesome to watch on the TV

2008 I was in Oz and went to watch us play at Parramatta Stadium. Bani was stretchered off early, Beaver did a hammy, few other lads got injured, but they dug in and pulled off an amazing win, and from that point it looked like a premiership was imminent. Vivid memory of sitting there watching Mark Bryant take a kickoff return and hobble into the defensive line on 1 leg, huge ticker
Yeah and I’m even older than @sheridanstand78

But we share a lot of similar memories.

I was too young to attend the 1972 GF ( 17) but I was 18 in 1973 , travelled down to Sydney on the train , stayed in a pub , never forget the experience and yes I was actually in the Sheridan Stand for that game.
 

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