Toovey handled exit with class and dignity
- MANLY DAILY
- JULY 31, 2015 5:03PM
- Zorba's View
Sea Eagles coach Geoff Toovey chats to the media this week.
IT WAS one of the toughest days in the history of the Sea Eagles this week and the club came through it with dignity.
Such was the intensity of the weekly media opportunity that television stations opted to take live coverage out of the club’s Narrabeen headquarters.
They were expecting fireworks at the first public appearance by players, officials, owner and the outgoing coach Geoff Toovey, just 24 hours after it was announced the club legend wouldn’t see out the final year of his contract in 2016.
There was no hiding by anyone associated with the club. No screening of questions which came thick and fast from a multitude of print and electronic media representatives.
The players spoke calmly and with respect for their coach.
They understood the situation, felt for the coach but understood the right of the owners to decide who coaches and who plays for the Sea Eagles.
They realise rugby league is a results driven business and the results are not there this season for a club which has had camping rights in the finals series for a decade.
Toovey covered himself with distinction.
He was clearly hurt but showed no malice. He found time to thank the supporters and the sponsors.
There was a hint of even having a role to play somewhere in the club down the track.
But not now – he will take a break for a well earned rest at the end of the season.
Geoff Toovey leaves a press conference this week at Narrabeen.
Water off duck’s back
THERE has been a lot of noise this week coming out of a minority group which has trouble realising that they no longer have a say or any input into the club.
They took Toovey’s early exit from the final year of his contract as an opportunity to continue criticising the club, it owners and staff.
It is water off a duck’s back and done nothing but accelerated its total demise.
Paved with gold
The just over 12 months old Golden Eagles continue to grow in numbers and are earning a reputation for being a well run, caring group in the northern beaches community.
The association has more than 380 members of ex-players and has raised more than $50,000 for charitable causes on the peninsula and assisted with raising almost $40,000 in corporate revenue for the Sea Eagles.
The upcoming inaugural golf day at Manly Golf Club is already a sellout.
With the assistance of Manly Leagues Club, the Golden Eagles Old Boys Reunion will be held on Sunday, August 23 at the club and Brookvale Oval.
Contact ex-NRL prop Mark Bryant at
[email protected] for more details.