theseaeaglelives

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS !!

Finals - Week 1

Manly Sea Eagles      24      

Defeated

Canterbury Dogs    22

Having lost the opportunity last week to host a final at Brookie, with an uncharacteristically poor performance against the Sharks, Manly had to venture into hostile territory to take on the Dogs in week 1 of the finals.

The Dogs were without their gun winger Josh “the Fox” Addo-Carr, who found himself on the wrong side of a random roadside drug test. It has been reported that the Fox voluntarily stood himself down from this game after initially telling Dog Management that he had returned a negative test but like most things rugby league the full story of what went down is largely lost in translation and open to interpretation. What we do know now is that the Fox’s secondary test has also been confirmed as positive which will no doubt result in the Fox being charged by the NRL Integrity Dept for bringing the game into disrepute and spending a few weeks on the sidelines next season.

If the Dog’s were reeling from the Fox’s absence they certainly did not show it in the opening stanza. In fact, the Dogs came out all guns ablaze and caught Manly on the hop. Unlike the Dogs, Manly seemed off the pace, error ridden and not in the contest.

Not surprisingly it was the Dogs that opened the scoring when Jacob Kiraz crossed in the corner, with this try on the back of a Tommy Turbo error. Mistakes in finals football rarely go unpunished and in the early stages of this game Manly were making plenty.

Somewhat against the run of play, Manly capitalised on one of their few attacking opportunities, with Tommy Talau the final recipient of a slick backline play. As an ex-Tiger young Talau has no finals experience but to the Sea Eagle’s surprise he has been a very sound performer all year and his performance in this game was generally solid.

For most of the remainer of the first half the Dogs held the ascendency and repeated pummelled Manly in both attack and defence. Tries to Villiame Kikau and Stephen Crighton saw them run out to a commanding 16-6 lead. Being ex-Panthers its not surprising that Messrs Kikau and Crighton were front and centre for the Dogs on the big stage.

Things were certainly looking dire for Manly, but with only minutes remaining in the half (and very much against the run of play), rookie winger Lehi Hoppaote leapt high to retain a bomb and duly put Ethan Bullemor across to score. 16-12 at the break. Leading up to this Young Hoppa was having a tough initiation to finals football having been manhandled by larger Dogs forwards on multiple occasions. It’s fair to say that young Hoppa, who at age 18, tips the scales at around 80kgs is a prospect and when he bulks up, he will be a very fine player. Kudos to the young man for hanging in there, continuing to compete and coming up with some big plays in the second half..

When the Dogs opened the scoring in the early part of the second half, the Sea Eagle was privately contemplating Manly’s mad Monday festivities (and whether the Fox would get an invite as guest of honour).   Thankfully none of the Manly players were thinking mad Monday just yet and somehow, they continued to hang in there. There was certainly a lift in their intensity and slowly momentum began to shift. In fact, the turning point as far as the Sea Eagle was concerned was when the TV cameras panned up to the Dogs coaching box disclosing none other than Jason Taylor sitting next to Head Coach Ciraldo. Notwithstanding the score was 22-12 to the Dogs at this stage the scene was set for a Manly comeback and a Dogs choke.

  The exploits of Jason Taylor are widely documented. Ex North Sydney, so the stench of the Bear runs strongly through his veins. Add to this a stint at the Eels, under Brian Smith so also DFI infected, and then sacked as Rabbits coach after being beaten up by one of the players at a Mad Monday gone wrong. Whilst Phil Gould has done a great job in terms of player recruitment and head coach Ciraldo (mainly by pilfering premiship winning Panthers), the appointment of Taylor can only be interpreted as a due dliignce failure.

When Cherry Baby crossed in minute 55, Manly were back in the hunt. This try was a work of art from a scrum close to the Dogs line with a slight of hand from Luke Brookes, deft angle running from Tolatu Koula and sublime finishing. It was not surprising that it was Cherry Baby leading the way in Manly’s resurgence and in the last 20 minutes of this game he was everywhere. There is nothing left to be said about the great man (i.e. Cherry Baby), apart from when the stakes are at their highest, he never fails to deliver.

Manly were continuing to go from strength to strength and were coming home with a wet sail against a tiring Dogs team. The match winning try was something to behold. Deep in their own half, on the fifth tackle the play was ignited by none other than Cherry Baby who found Tommy Turbo in open play. Up until this point Turbo had been somewhat quite and it was obvious he was still suffering from one of his many injuries. That said, again when it counted most he was there and some quick backline offloads found speedster Koula in open play. Young Koula is lightning fast but he had plenty to do here, beating numerous would-be tacklers to cross for an extraordinary try.

Pleasingly Manly were able to play out the last 8 minutes or so and control much of the play on their terms. That said they were aided by a Dogs team who by this stage could not believe the hole they had found themselves in. The Dogs efforts in the closing stages can be best summed up by a simple first play drop by Bronson Xerri coming off his own line. Young Xerri is ex-Shark, so a choke in a big game is not surprising.

As far as the Sea Eagle is concerned this is the best Manly win in past 20 years. This was a backs to the wall, never give in effort that makes you proud to be a supporter of the maroon and white. In the first half they were completely dominated, yet never threw in the towel. The second half, they lifted to a man. Apart from Cherry Baby, forwards Matt Lodge and Taniala Paseka never shirked the task. Haumole Olakatu was his usual beast and Jake Turbo and Lachlan Croker never stopped tackling.

Can Manly win the Comp? Probably not. But they have given their fans hope and we all get to watch at least another Manly game in season 2024. Next week, it’s the Chooks in a game that Manly can win, but they will need to play with less errors and more discipline than was what was offered against the Dogs.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

It’s been a long time between drinks for the Sea Eagle, having somewhat lost interest and then venturing o/s for an extended holiday, but alas he is back and it is pleasing to see Manly well entrenched in the Top 8 and looking to mount a challenge in September/October.

Recap – Round 12 Manly 26 def FCWR Storm 20

Good to get a win against the filthy cheating wrestling rorters.

Recap – Round 13 Bye

Recap – Round 14 Penrith Panthers 32 def Manly 22

A respectable effort against the 3 times premiers at Penrith Park.

Recap – Round 15 Manly 30 def Dragons 14

The Dragons are hopeless so this was expected.

Recap – Round 16 Rabbits 14 def Manly 0

Why is this shit even played at origin time?

Recap – Round 17 Bye

Recap – Round 18 Manly 21 def Cowboys 20

A good win in Townsville against a bogey team also vying for the Top 8.

Recap – Round 19 Manly 44 def Knights 6

A solid win at home but the Knights are hopeless so this was expected.

Recap – Round 20 Manly 38 def Titans 8

Manly are starting to gain some momentum but again at home this win was expected and the Titans are hopeless.

Recap – Round 21 Roosters 34 def Manly 30

A respectable performance against a highly rated Roosters outfit.

Recap – Round 22 Bye

Round 23 Manly 46 def Canberra Raider 24

Coming off last weeks bye, Manly were a little rusty in the early part of this game and when milestone man Josh Papaliiii crossed after 10 minutes they were on the wrong side of the scoreboard against a Raiders team desperate for a win to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

Minutes later, Tommy Turbo hit back and scores were even. In the Sea Eagles absence it is understood Tommy has been building up nicely and long suffering supporters can only hope that he stays on the field for the remainder of the season.

Things weren’t looking good for Manly when ex-junior and now Raider Kaeo Weekes crossed, but any joy for the Raiders was short-lived.

In the blink of and eye tries to the other Tommy (Talau), Ethan Bullemor, Cherry Baby and Lehi Hopoate and effectively the game was gassed.  Lehi Hoapate looks a likely prospect. The son of former Manly great/madmen, John Hoppa, young Lehi is nimble, athletic, solid under the high ball, not likely to run off to a Mormon mission, has no known criminal record and does not seem to possess any propensity to insert one of his fingers into the rectum of an opposing player.

Manly eventually ran out convincing winners, which is pleasing against the Raiders in Canberra, but some late defensive lapses are concerning. If they are to compete with the competition heavy weights come finals times, these lapses will lead to an early exit from the September action and this is something that coach Seibold must address.

Next week, its back to Brookie to take on the Warriors. Notwithstanding the Warriors are shot in season 2024 they are unpredictable and dangerous and Manly will need to be switched on to ensure a win and sure up their first appearance in finals since 2021.

Haumole Olakau'atu – Sent off in Origin II

In what might be a world first, Manly powerhouse Haumole Olakau'atu unfairly dropped for NSW Origin III, managed to get himself a 2 week suspension for involving himself in an on field fight between Chery Baby and NSW 5/8 Jarome Luai, that then degenerated into blues winger Brian To’o being surrounded by up to 10 Queenslanders.

Olakau’atu later declared after the game he was simply “helping a brother out”. Although he later accepted in the press that it was a poor decision.

The Sea Eagle response to this entire debacle was the proverbial FFS.

Someone needs to tell young Haumole Olakau'atu, that when you are wearing a suit and not in the starting team, your cannot go on the field of play. Moreover, it is not acceptable to run onto the field of play and involve yourself in an on field brawl between those players fortunate enough to make the starting 17.

Whilst this is  rugby league 101 stuff, it would appear that the Manly think tank will now need to re-educate their players about some of these fundamentals of the game.

The Olympic Sized Embarrassment

Despite some amazing athletic feats (particularly those with Aussie Gold) these Olympics have been an embarrassment from go to woe. The opening ceremony was well documented debacle featuring a drag queen take on the last supper, thus managing to not only offend Christian groups worldwide, but set the tone for what was to come.

 Suggestions that former QLD Premier and NRL Chairman/Director of Embarrassment, Peter Beattie was involved in the coordination of this event cannot be confirmed, but the Sea Eagle wont rule it out.

In both the triathlon and distance swimming elite athletes were forced to swim in little more than a glorified sewer. The Seine at the best of times is a canal and to describe it as a river is a stretch. Despite the best efforts of organiser and an estimated $2.3 billion spend the canal still presented in a shitty brown colour and a number of athletes came down with illnesses immediately following their respective events.

The featherweight women’s gold medal boxing match was between Algerian Imane Khelif and China’s Lin Yu-ting, can only be described as an Olympic embarrassment.

Both competitors were disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for failing gender eligibility tests, but both are now remarkably competing at Paris 2024 because somehow, having been declared not to be women, the IOC felt that they were.

Imane Khelif won the gold, and there can be no doubt that the Olympics and boxing in general were the winners in this one.

The Sea Eagle would however like to acknowledge these guys. Not sure how they went in their respective events but they win Gold for their names if for nothing else.

And these guys did win Gold !!!!

We also had hockey player Tom Craig hung out to dry for allegedly trying to buy an unidentified white powder (suggested to be cocaine) off some dodgy bloke in the backstreets. As far as the Sea Eagle is concern this is a non-event and given that the hockey team had already been knocked out who cares.  Poor old Tom was publicly admonished, kicked out of the village and sent home in disgrace, but who could blame him, coke is relatively cheap in France and he was trying to take advantage of this price disparity in a time of a cost of living crisis.

And just when things couldn’t get any worse, we have this debacle. Aussie Breaker (why the fuck is this even an Olympic sport) known only as Raygun performs what can only be described an embarrassment to the sport (WTF) of Breaking, the Olympics, her country and her family. The Sea Eagle questions how this was even allowed and how did this person get to represent our country. Say what you like about Breaking as an Olympic sport, but surely this person is not the best that we could come up with.

Whilst Paris presents well on the TV the reality is very different. Having been there in the past month the Sea Eagle can report first hand what a shithole it is when you go beyond the usual tourist boundaries. A trip into the suburbs (more than about 5km away) reveals a ghetto like appearance, and definitely one to be avoided after dark. Other major cities in France are no better and arguably worse. Once great cites such as Lyon, Marseilles and Avignon are no longer recognisable having been overrun by undesirables and the Sea Eagle’s advice would be to avoid these places if possible.

NRL Supremo Peter V’Landys

Watching NRL Chairman Peter V’Landys take on NSW upper house lightweights (personal opinion) Mark Latham and Animal Justice Party member Emma Hurst, was a thing to behold this week.

Emma Hurst and Mark Latham, with every possible advantage via the protection of parliamentary privilege, attempted to win the battle against V’Landys, and failed dismally. It was something to behold.

Mr V’Landys is pure rugby league. From that viewpoint alone, the contest was over before it even began.

Mr V’Landys ate both of them up and spat them out (personal opinion).

In a statement to The Sydney Morning Herald, Mr V’landys called on Mark Latham to repeat the allegations he made against Mr V’Landys outside of parliament, insisting he had always remained at arm’s length during steward inquiries and there was zero evidence for his [Latham’s] baseless attacks.

“There is no doubt Mr Latham is running an agenda for some very wealthy breeders who don’t wish to be held to account for animal welfare,” V’landys said.

“…everything he is saying is completely and utterly rubbish.”

The NSW Premier Chris Minns also weighed in and said Latham’s accusations were “disgraceful.”

“Mark Latham is currently being sued for defamation for things he said outside of Parliament, so he’s taken his attacks inside Parliament, where he can’t be sued,” Mr Minns said. “It is the definition of the ‘Coward’s Castle’.”

Ouch.

Thankfully he (Mr V’Landys) is running  rugby league and not some latte sipping celebration of softness.

Return of Stench of the Bear

The North Sydney Bears have confirmed their return to NRL as Western Bears, playing out of Perth, according to news reports.

It has been more than 25 years since they last played in the competition, and an agreement to resurrect the team Phoenix like from the ashes, as the NRL’s 18th team, has apparently been reached.

The North Sydney Bears lost their NRL licence in 1999, but they  are expected to return as the competition’s 18th team in the coming years.

The team, which will be based out of Western Australia, is expected to join the NRL in 2027.

Their submission still needs to be finalised ahead of the August 14 deadline, but it looks almost certain to be ratified (apparently).

The Western Bears will wear the old North Sydney colours, according to 7NEWS Sydney’s Andrew McKinlay, and could play at least one token home game at their spiritual home in New South Wales (North Sydney Oval), which would likely be against arch rivals Manly.

Sea Eagle Comment:

Since 1947 when Manly joined the competition, Manly have won 8 premierships to the Bears none.

The Bears have brought the C back into choking and have turned losing the unlosable, and utter hopelessness, into an art form.

The Sea Egale cannot wait for their return, and the opportunity to critically examine and ridicule Manly’s most detested rival.

As is being suggested, the Western Bears will likely have one home game in Sydney against Manly at North Sydney Oval. This will be a must see event.

Of course nothing official has been heard from the NRL about this.

The Sea Eagle believes that the Bears have more than sufficient capability of ballsing up their so called certainty of readmission to the NRL, as the new 18th team.

Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.

Henry Ford

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

Brisbane Broncos 13 defeated Manly 12

Recap - In Round 10, Manly gave up an unlosable lead to be run down for the second week in a row by the Dolphins. Whilst not as bad as the previous week (when they blew a 20 point lead against the Raiders), manly were seemingly cruising, when up by 12 only to capitulate to another pretty ordinary team.

In this fixture against the Broncos, Manly gave up a chance of winning or escaping with a draw, with a stupid and ill considered 5th tackle penalty late in the game, giving the Broncos the chance to slot a field goal and get the chocolates. The culprit was error prone winger, Jaxon Paulo, who is a fringe first grader at best, and would be best served focusing on getting the basics right  rather than engage in such dumb play.

That is 3 losses in the last 3 weeks, and all winnable games for Manly and the rot has now well and truly set in.

The good news is Manly now get to play the Storm next Friday night at Brookvale. Can it get any better?

Coach Siebold

Thus far in season 2024, the Sea Eagle has been prepared to give new coach Mr Seibold a fair go to see how things play out. Now 11 rounds in, Manly have been less than inspiring and their 3 most recent recent capitulations with games to be won against the Raiders and the Dolphins, and a game they gave up against the Broncos, have been nothing less than embarrassing.

Manly have a reasonable squad and their performances against the Roosters and Panthers show that they have the talent to be competitive. That said, Manly have squandered unassailable leads against the Eels, Warriors, Raiders and Dolphins, in recent weeks and someone must be held accountable.

With as many ex Wests Tigers players as Manly have in their squad, Manly have caught the dreaded Rugby League disease WestTigeritis. As far as the Sea Eagle is aware, the only known cure for WestTigeritis, is to rid yourself of all players  and coaching staff who have ever played for, or been involved in a coaching sense at the Wests Tigers. As this is a newly identified rugby league affliction, the jury is out on where it is equal to or worse than the dreaded Dark Force Influenza (DFI) which of course was cured  for the Dragons, by none other than the great Wayne Bennett when he got the Dragons a premiership in 2010.

As far as the Sea Eagle is concerned, the buck for this recent decline in fortunes for Manly has to stop at Coach Seibold (personal opinion). Let’s consider his credentials.

Anthony Seibold – CV

-            Played minor grades in Brisbane and Toowoomba before having a brief stint at the Canberra Raiders. Then a a stint in the UK Super League for a couple of seasons. There is no mention of any premiership success during his playing career.

 -            After retiring as a player, undertook a Batchelor of Education and was a lecturer at the University of QLD. The Sea Eagle’s previous views about the risks with coaches who are ex school teachers or have a teaching/educational background, and Rugby league, is well documented here. Whilst not universally a problem, a severe due diligence is needed with any coach who comes with that on the CV.

 -            Began coaching in lower divisions in UK including a stint with the all-powerful South Wales Scorpions.

 -            Secured an Assistant role at the Storm under master Coach Craig Bellamy (which is perhaps the only positive on this CV).

 -            Found himself at Manly as an assistant to Trent Barrett  when Mr Barrett was coaching at Manly. This is not good, as by association he now has DFI from this close relationship. Thankfully there is however no suggestion that Mr Seibold (unlike Coach Barrett) has ever been publicly slapped by his head coach either during his playing or early coaching era.

 -            On the back of this, in 2018 somehow Mr Seibold secured a head coaching job at the Rabbits. Inheriting a pretty good squad, he went okay but no premierships. He guided Souths to a third-placed finish at the end of the 2018 regular season. Souths went on to reach the preliminary final but fell short of a grand final appearance. He did however get the 2018 Dally M coach of the year. In the Sea Eagle’s view, a Dally M coach of the year award is merely someone else’s opinion. Winning a premiership is the only objective measure of rugby league coaching success.

 -            As part of a swap deal in 2019, he left Souths and then went to the Brisbane Bronco’s taking over from Super Coach Wayne Bennett who the Broncos had remarkably sacked. His time at the Bronco’s was an unmitigated disaster. Despite making the finals in his first season (2019) at the Broncos, a 58-0 hiding by Parramatta in the first week of the finals started was  an on-field slide from which Mr Seibold would never recover. After winning their opening two matches of 2020, Brisbane’s remaining 2020 season was a disaster, with the club slipping to second-last on the ladder after 12 defeats in 13 matches. Those losses include thrashings by the Eels, the Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers. After media outlets reported that Brisbane offered Mr Seibold $1 million to depart the Broncos (he was then about half way through a 5 year deal), both parties agreed to an early termination of the contract during 2020 (terms undisclosed). 2020 was the worst year in Brisbane's history with only 3 wins from 20 matches and a points differential of -356 resulting in the club's first wooden spoon.

 -            Mr Seibold then had a brief stint as an Assistant Coach to Eddie Jones at the Wallabies. No one needs a regurgitation of the disaster that was Eddie Jones and his coaching squad at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.  

 -            Given all this, Mr Siebold has somehow achieved the miracle of being appointed head Coach at Manly following the sacking of Manly legend Des Hasler.

How this CV secures a head job in the NRL is anyone’s guess, but it is even more perplexing at Manly.

In addition to the above, at the time of his appointment to the Manly job, it was widely reported that during his time in the UK he had posed for a well-known salacious publication (due to recent misinformation laws the Sea Eagle will not go into the sexual preferences of this publication’s target audience, but you can draw your own conclusions).

On it’s own the Sea Eagle has no issue with this. But bearing in mind the cultural and religious sensitivities of many players in the Manly squad, particularly in light of the recent gay pride jumper debacle, surely the potential for player conflict would have been of some concern in any due diligence process.

Not unlike the ill-feted Barrett era debacle, it would again appear that Manly management have failed to undertake the required due diligence in this coaching appointment. Surely during the interview process someone at Manly thought to ask the following questions of Mr Seibold.

Have you ever played first grade at Manly?

Have you ever won an NRL premiership (preferably at Manly) as either a player or a Coach?

Do you have, or do you have any association with someone that has, DFI (Dark Force Influenza) by way of prior association with coach Brian Smith?

Have you ever been sacked as an NRL head coach?

Has any club got the Spoon in a season where you coached said club?

Have you ever posed in a magazine and if so please provide copies?

Do you think having ex Wests Tigers players on the roster will lead to premiership success?

Have you heard of WestTigeritis and do you know of a cure?

  Had anyone at Manly bothered to ask any of these questions, it is unlikely that Mr Seibold would have been appointed (personal opinion). But alas, this was not the case and Manly find themselves rooted to mediocrity (again) with a coach unlikely to deliver any semblance of success.

In the Sea Eagle’s opinion –Season 2024 is now on such a downward trajectory that the best outcome Manly fans can expect, is that it will end in tears.

Now the Sea Eagle is well aware that this week’s report is mainly personal opinion. And, as Super Coach Wayne Bennett has said, if you start listening to the fans, you will end up sitting next to them.

So with all of that said, the Sea Eagle simply notes, that if Manly get the spoon in 2024 (which they have never had) or fail to make the 8 again, which is well and truly on the cards, you heard it here first.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

 NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

Canberra 26 beat Manly 24

This performance from Manly can only be described as certifiably useless, hopeless, and diabolical. It was a complete capitulation arising from inept errors.

Those that had the misfortune of watching this debacle, Sea Eagle included, will be aware that 30 minutes in Manly were leading 20-zip against a what can only be described as an inept Raiders outfit (who were coming off a 40 zip drubbing last week).

In fact, the scoreline at this point could well have been more had Manly fully capitalised on their opportunities and had the normally reliable boot of Reuben Garrick been on song. Just when Manly looked like racking up a cricket score, a poor handling error (with Manly on the attack) gifted the Raiders a try and gave them a glimmer of hope. 20-6 at the break.

The rot well and truly set in when Manly, then leading 24-6, saw ex-Tiger Matthew Lodge drop a regulation catch on a goal line hit up on tackle 1. The Raiders scored on the next set, and it was 24-12.

But wait there’s more. A short time later, Manly’s Corey Wadell dropped a simple tackle 1 hit up from the goal line, seeing the ball spray from his shoulder into the hands of a Raiders player next to the posts, to give a simple 6 pointer to the Raiders. Remarkably, it was Chery Baby who threw the pass, it too being mistimed given Wadell was expecting it to land near his hands which were close to his mid section. Either way, it was Keystone cops type stuff and fundamentally hopeless. By then it was 24-18, and Manly were on tilt.

The previously inept Raiders now with a spring and their step and playing with belief, such belief being something they were not entitled to have, because they were certifiably useless as well until these Manly errors occurred.

Before you knew it, Manly were done 26-24.

It was a bad night all round. Normally dependable Reuben Garrick missed what were two fairly straight forward conversions for him in the first half, which might have been quite handy at the back end of this game. But the blame cannot go to him for this loss, as he was one of Manly’s better players.

Manly ran out with the following  players in their line up who have had some previous association with the Wests Tigers - Tommy Talau, Luke Brooks, Josh Aloiai, Taniela Paseka, and Matthew Lodge (with Aaron Woods 18th man).

Given this type of capitulation is the sort of stuff the Tigers are renowned for, are any of us really surprised that the same thing is now happening at Manly?

Manly are not a top 4 side. Top 4 sides do not play like that. Manly will regret this loss later in the season if they somehow manage to make the 8. This loss could well be the difference between failing to secure an unlikely top 4 finish or a home semi and quite possibly failing to make the 8 at all.

The Sea Eagle attended this fixture live, but will not do so again for the rest of season 2024.

Latrell Mitchell Unavailable for Origin selection

Rabbitohs Latrell Mitchell  was reported by the SMH this week, as considering pulling himself out of Origin selection contention in order to focus on reviving South Sydney’s season.

According to the SMH, Mitchell’s has started to consider where his priorities lie.

This of course led the NRL to declare that Mr Mitchell has to be available for Origin if fit, or he will not be playing NRL that weekend in any event.

The assumptions to be drawn from Mr Mitchell’s statements are that he believes he will be picked for NSW in Origin as a walk up starter (personal opinion).

It is hard to see how he could form that view, or at east he is in selection contention based on what has happened this year at Souths (personal opinion). Then there is the larger question of whether the NSW team as a unit, is better with him in or out of this side assuming his form warrants selection in the first place (personal opinion).?

Given the debacle that was this loss by Manly as set out above, the Sea Eagle could not give a rats whether Mr Mitchell plays Origin or not.

Let’s not forget NSW Coach Michael Maguire has previously coached at the Tigers . Who knows if this coaching stint has undone all the good that came from his premiership success as Coach at Souths and then some.

Given what happened to Manly with too much ex Tigers in the tank against the Raiders, it will be interesting to see what happens to NSW with an Ex Tigers Coach when they play Queensland in the pressure cooker Origin arena?

NO MONKEY BUSINESS

When will it end – certainly not this week.

Following on from the recent release of Monkey Man, continuing the simian theme, this blockbuster is out this week. No doubt the latest instalment in the successful Planet of the Apes franchise.

Apart from the original starring Charlton Heston the Sea Eagle has not taken in any of the subsequent offerings and adhering to his mantra of NO MONKEY BUSINESS won’t be catching this one.

Apparently, the film is set many years after the original and it revolves around young ape who embarks on a journey to find freedom and interact with humans – so it sounds like a real cracker.

As far as the Sea Eagle is aware there is no involvement from either Ezra Mamm or Spencer Leniu in any capacity, but he is happy to stand corrected if this is not the case.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

 NO MONKEY BUSINESS !!!

Rd 7

Manly 34 def. Gold Coast 30

Coming of last week’s frustrating draw with the Warriors in Auckland, Manly were once again on the road, this time off to the Gold Coast to take on Des Hasler’s Titans.

Manly were missing a bit of muscle up front with Josh Aloia, Tof Sipley (aka Sip Tofley according to Fox commentator, Corey Parker) and Nathan Brown all out, but of greater concern was the inclusion journeyman and well and truly washed-up prop Aaron Woods. Sharon (as he is cruelly referred to by some) is in the Sea Eagles opinion is no longer anywhere near first grade standard and it is perplexing that those in the know in the Manly coaching inner sanctum beg to differ.

The game started well enough for Manly with two quick tries to Tommy Turbo and Jason Saab Turbo, who was returning from injury. Only minutes in Manly found themselves 10-0 to the good and they were looking slick. As has been the case in some previous games this year, Manly took their foot off the gas and this allowed the Titans to hit back with a brace of their own. The Titans were exploiting Manly’s left edge and poor defensive reads/efforts from both Reuben Garrick and Tommy Talau are a concern.

In the blink of an eye Manly found themselves trailing 24-16 and only a long range try to Tommy Turbo on the stroke of half time prevented what could have been an even more embarrassing scoreline. 24-22 at oranges. It’s fair to say that in the first half defence was not the order of the day, with both teams allowing in some pretty soft tries. Whilst this could have been expected from the Titans (who had yet to taste victory this season at that point, and have been certifiably hopeless), Manly fans demand more. That said, this was Manly’s fifth road trip in the first 7 rounds so it may be fair to say that the team could well be a little jaded.

The second half was much more of a grind. Manly were able to score two tries to the Titans one and the score then remain unchanged at 34-30 for the final 25 minutes. Whilst there wasn’t a lot to get enthused about, Manly were able to bank 2 valuable competition points in a game that they were far from their best. The Titans on the other hand are still winless in season 2024 and their efforts this far this year are proof positive that the Gold Coast is where players (and coaches) go to see out their careers and in a rugby league sense die.

  Rd 8

Manly 32 def.  Eels 18

It’s fair to say that Manly were looking for a bit of payback to atone for their controversial loss to the despised Eels in Round 3. That said, the Sea Eagle finds it perplexing that the same 2 teams should meet twice within the first 8 rounds, not an uncommon occurrence this year mind you and highlights the inadequacies of the current NRL draw. Man was able to set foot on the moon 50 years ago, yet in 2024 the NRL are unable to formulate a decent and equitable fixture/draw. Perhaps one for the Integrity Dept if they can drag themselves away form their usual scope of activities.

The first half was nothing to write home about for either side. The Eels coming off last week’s embarrassing loss (to the Dolphins) came with plenty of fire, but were largely ineffective. Manly on the other hand, seemed a little off the pace and there were errors aplenty from them.

Eels’ flanker, Maika Sivo was proving to be a handful for the Manly defence crossing for a pair and when Bailey Simonson crossed in the dying minutes, Manly found themselves on the receiving end of a 14-6 deficiency at oranges.

Manly were much better in the second half, no doubt on the back of a well-deserved blast from Coach Seibold during the break. With the usual suspects leading the way (Tommy Turbo, Cherry Baby and Haumaloe Olakalatu) Manly ran in 4 tries to run out comfortable winners. Manly’s efforts were no doubt helped by a lack of discipline from the Eels which saw two players binned at different times, and surely Coach Brad Arthur must be pulling out what’s left of his hair as a result.

Next week, its Ricky’s Raiders at Brookie and Manly could well find themselves without the services of Cherry Baby and Olakalatu, who were both caught up in an ugly tackle on Shaun Lane in the opening minutes of the game (which resulted in big Haumole being sent to the bin)

They Never Go Better When They Leave the Nest– Des Hasler

It has been widely documented in this report over the years that they never go better when they leave the nest. Apart from JWH and Penrith Coach Ivan Cleary the list is endless, and it includes such illuminati as Bob Fulton, Fatty Vautin, Choc Watmough and Keiran Foran etc. Regrettably it’s fair to say that Des Hasler looks like he can now be included.

A highly decorated premiership winner both as a player and coach at Manly, after guiding Manly to a GF win in 2011, Des sought greener pastures at the Dogs. Whilst he did get them to the GF on two occasions (without getting the chocolates) he was ultimately sacked in 2017 leaving the Dogs in a state of turmoil that they are yet to recover from. His tenure at the Dogs, best summed up by then Dogs player, Reni Maitua.

“Des is a Manly person with a Bulldogs shirt on.”

“I don’t think they wanted to have any sort of history with the club. That is his vehicle to be successful as a coach to be at Canterbury, but he will always be Manly”.

“If you take him into a room and held him at gunpoint and said, who do you do for? — he is going to say I’m a Manly person.”

After the disastrous Trent Barrett era, Des returned to Manly in 2019. While he did not set the world on fire second time round, this was not surprising given the shambles left by Barrett. Following the Pride Jumper debacle, which saw Manly lose their last 7 games in 2022 Des was then sacked.

Just when you thought his coaching career had ended, along come the Gold Coast with an offer he couldn’t refuse. And who could blame him for taking it on.

It’s fair to say those making the calls at the GC did not due their due diligence (on those leaving the nest) nor did they take on board the comments of the aforementioned Reni Maitua. This is not surprising given the litany of dud signings since the inception of the Titans and the appointment of Hasler now looks they are the place where rugby league careers go to end their days.

After 7 rounds the Des’ Titans were winless and anchored to the bottom of the premiership table and Hasler’s losing streak is now standing at 13. Granted, the Titans did beat the Warriors (away) in Rd 8, they get the Storm next week so there is no respite, and they look odds on, even at this early stage to get the dreaded spoon despite hot competition for said spoon from the Tigers and Souths.

They Never Go Better When They Leave the Nest Part 2– Brad Arthur

As a player, Brad Arthur did not reach any great heights. According to those in the know at Wikipedia “Arthur was a Parramatta Eels junior and played SG Ball and Under-21s for the club. He then moved to the Penrith Panthers where Royce Simmons advised him he would never make first grade”

Unable to find success as a player Arthur turned his talents to coaching and was an assistant Coach at Manly back in 2013 as Tooves’ understudy.  On the back of this he got the head coaching job at the Eels in 2014. How being an assistant at Manly leads to a head job at the Eels is anyone’s guess and it’s fair to say that Eels Management, like many others have well and truly failed to do their due diligence in this appointment and to grasp the concept that they never go better when they leave the nest.

Somehow Coach Arthur has managed to see out 10 years at the Eels, and apart from 2022 when they made the GF (only to be flogged by the Panthers) success has eluded both him and the team. A hallmark of his time at the Eels, apart from mediocrity is his penchant for luring Manly rejects to the Eels (think Foran, Gutherson, Lane, Watmough, Ron Jeremy and even assistant Coach Trent Barrett etc).

This recruitment strategy is no blueprint for success and Coach Arthur has also failed to grasp the “never go better concept”.

Now well into season 2024, the Eels are floundering and Coach Arthur finds himself at the pointing end of betting (with Jason Demetreou at the Bunnies) for the first coach to meet his demise. If this was to be the case, do we dare to dream that his current assistant at the Eels, the one and only Trent Barrett takes the reigns.

Vale Terry Hill

Terry Hill was a very very good Rugby League player, and naturally, his best work was when he played for Manly during the 1994-1999 seasons. A 14 times NSW origin representative and Australia Kangaroo and 9 times test player, together with premiership winner in the 1996 Grand Final, saw him achieve things many Rugby League players can only dream of.

Terry Hill also is famous for blowing up the hopelessly inept rugby league draft the draft system. In other words, sticking it to the “man”.

Terry Hill became embroiled in the "External and Internal Draft" system in the 1991 season when, after agreeing to a playing deal with the Western Suburbs Magpies, he was drafted from the Internal Draft pool by Eastern Suburbs. Hill and 126 other players risked their personal assets and took the NSW Rugby League to court, arguing the draft was a restraint of trade. By the end of 1991 the High Court of Australia had overturned the draft system and in 1992 Hill was given a release where he was able to move from the latte sippers on to the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Of course, he soon realised that was not going to get him to where he needed to be, so it was no surprise that he moved to Manly in 1994. From that point his Rugby League career soared to stratospheric heights.

Although perhaps not one of Manly’s absolute all-time greats, he is certainly up there as one of their very good players, and one thing can be said about Terry Hill, when he was on the field you knew he was giving it everything he had to win. His playing record speaks for itself on that front.

Sea Eagle Car Review - Kia Tasman Ute

The Sea Eagle has noticed of late that there are numerous ads for a so called soon to be released Kia Tasman Ute. This was splattered all over the TV during the ANZAC Day clash between the Roosters and Dragons.

This vehicle is yet to be released, but the release date is said to be some time in 2025. And there are no details of the power train or much else.

All we know is that Kia have embraced their inner celebration of softness by releasing this photo of said proposed vehicle:

  What an abomination. Apparently Kia felt it necessary to find a Kiwi designer to come up with this horror show (personal opinion).

As we all know to be true, when Australian’s copy things the Kiwis come up with, it usually ends in tears. Witness the Wallabies consistent failures despite employing any number of Kiwi coaches in attempts to help them get better.

Let’s face it. Aussies buy Utes in large numbers, largely because deep down, the inner bogan within all of us needs to find a way to be released. A 2 + tonne diesel emission belching workhorse that can go off road and tow 3.5 tonnes, and yet fit a family of 4 and their associated sh(*t comfortably in the tray, is the best way to establish one’s credentials in that department.

The fact that many of these vehicles never go off road is beside the point. The point is that you can if you wanted to, and you’ve got plenty of muscle up front to help you compete on Australia’s horrific road networks.

But more importantly, Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen hates diesel utes, so all the more reason why Australian’s are buying them in even greater numbers. As we all know, when the Government is trying to convince or encourage you to do something (ie go soft - go electric), it is usually in your best interests to do the exact opposite.

Ergo, the reason why the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux are still Australia’s best selling vehicles and have been for some time.

So if Kia thinks a vehicle with DNA like this, is going to muscle in to this club, or cut the mustard when the boys are comparing notes about their latest Ute acquisition, they better think again. This photo promotion looks like something the Beatles would have driven on the magical mystery tour.

The only way this Ute is going to save itself is if it comes with a 5 litre Cummins diesel turbo V8. Do we dare to dream????

  If Kia had to be given a school report card on this vehicle launch, it would be like the standard primary school report card for every child’s performance regardless of ability “tries hard but can do better”.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS !!!

Round 6

Manly Sea Eagles      22       

Drew 

NZ Warriors    22

An Aussie guy was on holidays walking through the streets of Aukland, when he spots in a paddock a young man having sux with a sheep. He shouts out

“In Australia we shear our sheep” to which the young man screams back

“I’m not sharing this f@#king sheep with anyone”

Such is life, in the land of the long white cloud and venturing across the ditch (and dodging horny Ovis aries) was the challenge facing Manly in this round 6 clash.

Coming off last weeks rousing win against the Panthers, Manly hit the ground running and looked primed for another big performance. Cherry Baby opened the scoring after 10 minutes following an incisive run from Corey Wardell. Young Wardell is proving to be an astute buy and his strong form has kept the highly paid, potentially laden Josh Schuster in the reserves (more on that one later).

Minutes later Cherry Baby doubled his try tally, when he found himself on the end of a Tommy Taleu kick. At the ripe old age of 35 and coming off a record-breaking game tally last week, Cherry Baby is showing no sign of slowing down and he was involved in everything. Even taking the goal kicks in the absence of HIA impacted Rieben Garrick.

When Tommy Talau crossed, Manly were up 16-0 after 27 minutes and it was starting to look like a procession. The Sea Eagle has always maintained that the 5-minute period before half time is a crucial phase and for some reason Manly seemed to clock off at the worst of times. Two late tries including an intercept in the last 30 seconds and somehow the Warriors were back in the contest – 16-10 at oranges. The Warriors are a confidence team and notwithstanding they were comprehensively outplayed in the first half the fact that they were only down by 6 was a morale boost they should not have been afforded.

The second half started well enough when only minutes in Ben Turbo crossed, put over untouched via a deft and incisive Cherry Baby pass. No further comment necessary on Cherry Baby – he was having another blinder.

This try was offset when Shaun Johnson crossed only minutes later – this was a moment of brilliance from the aging Warriors half-back as he sliced through multiple would-be defenders. Unfortunately, his brilliance was not replicated with the conversion, when Johnson missed from virtually in front.

The remainder of the second half was pretty much a grind, played in less than ideal but typical NZ conditions (i.e. cold and wet). There was plenty of scramble from Manly and just when it looked like they would hold on for a well-deserved win, with only a minute to go things went well and truly pear-shaped.

As was the case in the first half, Manly clocked off early and let Warrior winger Dallin Watene-Zeleniak cross for what should have been a consolation try at best. 22-20 to Manly with only 45 seconds left on the clock.

In the last play of the game, with the Warriors only hope an unlikely 50m, 2pt field goal, inexplicably Josh Aloiai took out the legs of Shaun Johnson who was attempting the miracle kick. Whilst there wasn’t much in it, it was a dumb play by Aloiai who gifted the Warriors a penalty from right in front. 22-all and off to golden point.

Golden point was a debacle with both sides only focused on field goals. As a spectacle it was awful and ruined what had been up until that point a high-quality affair. With neither team able to convert it was still level after the allotted time and a draw was declared. In the Sea Eagles humble opinion Golden Point is a blight on the game and the sooner it is disposed of the better for all concerned.

Manly played well enough to win this game and their effort cannot be criticised. They will however rue some crucial lapses in the minute before half time and the last minute of the game.

Next week, Manly are on the road again, this time to the Gold Coast to take on Des’ Titans. The Titans have been stinking up the joint thus far in season 2024 and we can only hope that they don’t break their duck next week against Manly.

  JOSH SCHUSTER FREE TO NEGOTIATE.

Mr Schuster has enormous potential. Unfortunately, as the late great Coach Jack Gibson famously said, the beaches are full of potential.

Manly appear to have made the cardinal sin of buying a player based on potential, on a long term deal reported to be $800k a season. Press reports suggest there are performance criteria in this, and that Manly may not have to actually pay the full $800k each year. We can only hope this is the case.

One criteria of course would have to be that every game played in Reserve Grade would represent a significant contract payment adjustment.

Another would be that Mr Schuster would have to be selected for representative teams such as NSW Origin and the like.

With that said, and with Mr Schuster having played Reserve Grade all season, and now according to press reports, he is on 2 weeks personal leave, this situation is nothing short of an unmitigated debacle.

Press reports also suggest that none of the other 16 NRL clubs have expressed any interest in signing Mr Shuster. This is not surprising. His performance based on actual top level NRL games played would not look very appealing (personal opinion)

The Sea Eagle can offer his own solution to this problem. Not that this will be seriously considered by anyone.

Firstly, Mr Schuster should be advised that Manly will not be making up the contract payment difference if he can indeed find another club.

Secondly, Mr Schuster will be expected to attend training and all club events and play Reserve Grade if selected.

Thirdly, Mr Schuster is free to leave if he can get another contract, otherwise he can stay as per above. But there is no way Manly are going to pay him or another club to top up his contract, only to see him perform at another club when he should have been performing at Manly.

Fourthly, if Mr Schuster elects to stay at Manly, it is matter for Mr Schuster as to whether he is prepared to do what it takes to play first grade. Manly no doubt would of course do whatever it took to help, if Mr Schuster asked them to help him get back into First Grade, as long as it was Mr Schuster driving the outcomes.

Fifthly, Mr Schuster should be told his rugby league career will be washed up before it started if he does not get back into First Grade.

This above strategy may cost Manly value salary cap funds. But it will send a message to every current and future player at the club, that conduct of this type will not be tolerated. If you want to set a standard as a serious professional sporting organisation, that is what sometimes has to be done.

One would hope Mr Schuster will realise that it is he and only he, who can turn this around, by doing what is required to pay First Grade again. He will respected far more if he does that, and he will extend his career as well.

That has to be better than the possible alternatives (personal opinion).

  NO MONKEY BUSINESS

Unbelievably, the Sea Eagle spotted this one this week.

The picture says it all. Presumably this is a co-sponsored event between the well-known Surry Hills Irish Tavern, and a well-known Australian brewer.

Where is the NRL Integrty Unit around this one?

If this is acceptable as commercial promotion, how does Spencer Lenui cop the punishment and outrage that he did, whilst these two commercial organisations seemingly can continue running promotions like this with impunity?

Perhaps, just perhaps, there is actually no prohibition on them doing so? In which case, what was the furore with Spencer Lenui all about ?

As a statement, the Sea Eagle has no choice than to personally ban Molly Malones and the consumption of Coopers beer for an indeterminate time frame, simply because, as has been said many times before in season 2024 - NO MONKEY BUSINESS!

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

Round 4

Manly Sea Eagles            12

Defeated by

St George Dragons          20

One of the downsides of doing this report is that there is an expectation that you must watch the Manly game each week. In saying that the Sea Eagle has done many a report without watching – unfortunately this game was not one of them and this was 80 minutes of torture and misfortune that the Sea Eagle will never get back.

Last week the Sea Eagle suggested that Win Stadium is a dead set graveyard for Manly, and this prophecy proved correct. There is no disputing that Dragons are hopeless, but they have this uncanny ability to bring Manly down to their level and that they did.

Coming of last weeks narrow loss to the Eels, in what was a very high-quality game, Manly started well enough with young “Pepsi” Koula opening the scoring after 3 minutes. From then on it was all down hill for Manly. A combination of inept attack, substandard defence and at times embarrassing errors saw Manly trail 14-6 at the break.

The second half was no better, and the Manly performance was as embarrassing as former QLD Premier Peter Beattie’s tenure as NRL Chairman. They had plenty of the ball, but their attack was one dimensional and predicable. Their defence was ok, but its fair to say that the Dragons don’t really throw that much at you and some of the errors made were of school boy/girl level.

In the end the Dragons ran out 20-12 winners which was a fair indication of proceedings. Already after only 4 rounds any optimism for season 2024 for Manly has been extinguished – the Dragons are bottom feeders and if you can’t beat them, you won’t be anywhere near the pointy end of the comp.

It doesn’t get any easier for Manly next week as they host the reigning (3-time) premiers, the Panthers. Penrith will be without Nathan Cleary but they are relentless – they rarely have an off week and a repeat of this performance by Manly will result in a “bloodbath”.

Round 5

Manly Sea Eagles            32

Defeated

Penrith Panthers              18

In life there are many unexplained anomalies and this round 5 clash at Brookvale dished up yet another one. How is it that a team could be so poor one week against hopeless opposition (ie Dragons) yet within 7 days fashion such a win against none other than the reigning three-time premiership champions. Sure, it was back at Fortress Brookvale, yes it was a milestone game for Cherry Baby and yes the Panthers were without star playmaker, Nathan Cleary, but none of this can fully explain the magnitude of the turnaround.

In horse racing this would warrant a Stewards Inquiry wherein a comprehensive probe would be undertaken examining betting movements, jockey performance and any other possible interference that may have taken place. The closest thing the NRL have to Stewards is the Integrity Department, but alas unless a player is snorting some unidentified white powder or beating up on their partner (or some other non-suspecting member of the public) they have no interest and as such it is unlikely that the reason for this massive form reversal will ever be solved.

The game started pretty much where it left off last week with Manly coughing up early ball, some sloppy handling and an early HIA for Ruebin Garrick. Penrith opened the scoring after only 5 minutes and with Manly having difficulty making inroads into the Panther defence it looked like another long and painful evening was on the cards for the Manly faithful.

After a challenging 25 minutes, when at times Manly were well and truly under the pump, Tommy Turbo broke the shackles after some slick backline play to level the scores.

In the previous report the Sea Eagle discussed the merits of physics, contending that physical theory could not be defied even on the rugby league field. It must be said that the 35th minute try to “Pepsi” Koula well and truly challenged this contention. Every law of physics would support that the knock down by Tommy Talau must have travelled forward, but on review this could not be proved and controversially the try to young Pepsi was allowed to stand -Manly taking a well-deserved 14-6 lead to the break.

Manly started the second half well enough but star Panther fullback, Dylan Edwards capitalised on a speculative loose kick by Cherry Baby to run the length of the field and close the gap.

This was to prove to be as close as the Panthers got as Manly ran riot in a 10-minute blitz of 3 tries. First it was Cherry Baby making amends for his loose kick to score under the posts. Playing in his 310th game for Manly and despite the aforementioned error Cherry Baby had a very good game He was arguably Manlys best and the Sea Eagle would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge his long service to the maroon and white.

It is no small feat to play 310 + NRL games. The fact this bloke is still going for more than that this year and beyond is some sort of testament to his ability and endurance.

The fact that the previous record holder on 309 games, was the great Cliffy Lyons is testament to that.

Well Done Daly Chery Evans. Your CV is rolled gold.

2011 premiership winner.

2013 Clive Churchill medallist for Manly in a losing team.

Multiple games for Queensland in Origin and Australia.

At least two series wins for Queensland in Origin as Captain (last win was the 2023 series as Captain).

Master contract negotiator

The fact he can still keep going at the level he does is nothing short of remarkable. When he hangs up the boots in season 2032 at the age of circa 43/44, he will be hard to replace.

There can be no doubt that Cherry Baby never fails to deliver when the stage is big and the Sea Eagle can only hope that this current Manly side can get him to a decider before its too late.

Within in minutes it was the turn of another milestone man, Corey Waddell to add to the tally. Playing his 100th game Wardell also had a very strong game and after coming on early following the Garrick HIA had far more game time than would have been expected. Young Waddell is one of a select few that has left the nest (going to the Dogs) and returned and his performances thus far this year is further prove that they do go better when they return to the nest.

Manly ended up running out 32-18 winners and showed that the Panthers are beatable. Sure, they were without Nathan Cleary but the Manly forwards showed that they can match it with Panthers imposing pack. The Sea Eagle would like to single out Nathan Brown for special mention. 

If ever there was a rugby league journeyman, it would be the not so young Brown. Now with his 5th club Brown was a man on a mission both will ball in hand and in defence and if he can maintain this level of performance, he could well be the x-factor Manly need.

Next week it’s no easier as Manly venture across the ditch to take on the high rolling Warriors. If the Round 5 Manly turn up they are a chance but if the team that took on the Dragons returns it could be ugly.

NO MORE MONKEY BUSINESS

Just when you thought the concept of monkeys had run its course in season 2024, this one pops up on the news feed:

No more monkey business: Thai city’s macaques to be put in enclosures - Primates are symbol of Lopburi but residents have had enough as monkeys resort to violence to get food - The Guardian Rebecca Ratcliffe and Navaon Siradapuvadol in Bangkok Fri 5 Apr 2024

“Mischievous long-tailed macaques are, for many, a symbol of the Thai city of Lopburi. Tourists flock to the city’s ancient temple to feed the macaques fresh fruit and photograph them as they maraud the streets. But increasingly, residents say they have had enough.

This week, after growing complaints from residents, wildlife officials announced a plan to round up 2,500 of the urban monkeys and place them in large enclosures. It follows an incident in March where a woman’s knee was dislocated after she was kicked in the back by a monkey that wanted her food. Separately, a man lost control of his motorcycle after a monkey tried to grab a bag of food from him.

“I don’t want humans to have to hurt monkeys, and I don’t want monkeys to have to hurt humans,” Athapol Charoenshunsa, the director general of the department of national parks, wildlife and plant conservation, said at a news conference.

…..“There are people who like monkeys, while others don’t. I think that, compared to 10 years ago, the population of monkeys has increased significantly,” said resident Job Jirapat, adding that she understood both sides.

…Job said that while monkeys may be a symbol of the city, having fewer around would improve people’s quality of life and keep the city cleaner. “And I think Lopburi has more to offer than just monkeys.”

Sea Eagle Comment: So True. No wonder Ezra Mam was so upset (personal opinion). These monkeys are a dead set menace.

  Then this one:

Monkey Man review – Dev Patel goes wild in ultraviolent Mumbai revenge flick Peter Bradshaw Wed 3 Apr 2024 The Guardian

“….Patel plays a guy calling himself “Bobby”, a fake name taken ominously from a brand of bleach; as a kid, he lived in the forest with his adored single mum, who held him spellbound with tales of Lord Hanuman, the monkey deity. A greedy property developer passing himself off as a spiritual guru (in league with a populist right-wing politician) wanted this forest and brought tragedy into the kid’s life, with the help of a hateful, corrupt police chief (Sikander Kher). Now Bobby is driven by a need for payback, infiltrating the criminal organisation, biding his time, and earning cash on the side as a monkey-masked fighter at bare-knuckle bouts run by a leering master of ceremonies played by Sharlto Copley; he is dreaming of the time when he will rain down terrible vengeance.

… Monkey Man is in UK and Irish cinemas from 5 April.

Sea Eagle Comment: There is no suggestion either Ezra Mam or Spencer Leniu had any investment or involvement in this flick, and suggestions that this was somehow an Indian Bollywood flick based on revenge for a racial slur that occurred on an NRL field, is the stuff of wild fantasy and fabrication, and should be rejected as such. The Sea Eagle won’t be attending this movie maintaining his mantra of NO MONKEY BUSINESS.

  2024 Grand Final Rock Performance

Do we dare to dream that for the 2024 NRL grand final, the pony tailed marketing woke infected celebrations of softness at the NRL, grow a set, (personal opinion and no references to any individual persons at the NRL is made). They need to pay whatever it takes to get the Rolling Stones to appear and play their 1969 recording Monkey Man which featured as the eighth track on their 1969 album Let It Bleed.

You now it makes sense (to quote the term so well utilised by the man on the fat aka Sam Kekovich).

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 3

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

Round 3

Manly Sea Eagles      24     

Defeated by

Parramatta Eels    28

Manly started this game with all cylinder’s firing, looking sharp and creating plenty of opportunities. Manly took and early 2 point lead (rightly) converting an early penalty.

Tries to Tommy Turbo and new recruit Jaxon Paulo saw Manly run out to a 14-0 lead within 10 minutes and at this point the Sea Eagle was thinking that they could rack up a cricket score.

Not surprisingly they were creating havoc down the right edge, that being the edge defended by ex-Manly centre Ron Jeremy (aka Morgan Harper). As far as the Sea Eagle is concerned it’s a case of good riddance, and the Eels can have Jeremy. If the Eels think that they can win a comp with this guy in the centres good luck

Against the run of play the Eels hit back when Manly failed to defuse what appeared to be a pretty innocuous bomb. Manly were guilty of ball watching as the ball landed in the almost unsuspecting arms of Will Penisini to score. This was just the sort of lucky break the Eels needed and in the blink of an eye they went from hapless to world beaters. That said, Manly did themselves no favours and within a 20 minute stanza, they managed on 10% possession. Not surprisingly Manly quickly found themselves on the wrong end of 16-14 scoreline.

When Manly did finally get some ball they looked good, the only problem in the first half was that they didn’t have enough of it. On the stroke of half time Ruebin Garrick found hiself on the end of a slick backline movement and somehow Manly went into oranges leading 18-16.

The second half was much the same as the first, but Manly were unable to control the ball and as such found themselves with little possession and poor field position. The Eels were good enough to capitalise and tries to Ron Jeremy (aka Harper) and Kelma Tuilagi, both ex-Manly set up what appeared to be an unassailable lead. There is certainly a lot of ex-Manly going around within the Eels ranks. In addition to Harper and Tuilagi, there is Gurtherson and Lane and a coach’s box featuring Brad Arthur and Trent Barrett. Obviously, the Eels are yet to realise that no-one (JWH excepted) goes better when they leave the nest and if they think that snapping up Manly rejects is a way to premiership success its not surprising, they have not won a comp in 38 years.

In promising signs, Manly refused to throw in the towel and showed plenty of pride in the closing stanza. With 10 minutes to go, Manly were controversially denied what appeared to be a fair try when the video ref called obstruction. Technically perhaps the correct decision, but it is these types of flip of the coin decisions that are in the Sea Eagles ruining the game as a spectacle and turning off fans.

Manly did manage to close the gap when hard working bench back rower, Corey Wardell crossed, but it was a case of too little, too late as they ran out of time to run down the Eels. Manly will rue a missed opportunity in this one and it was a game that they could well have won. Manly failed to capitalise on their blitzkrieg start and only have themselves for letting the Eels back into the contest.

Next week it’s the Dragons. It fair to say from what they have show thus far the Dragons are hopeless, but the game is at Win Stadium and that is a dead set graveyard for Manly, so anything can happen.

Junior rep clash between Dragons and Steelers marred by alleged 'coconut' slur

Nine WWOS- 17 March 2024

When will this end. Apparently an U17 Harold Matthews rep player from the Steelers was making coconut slurs to opposing players for the Dragons. Said player has been hit with a Contrary Conduct charge by the New South Wales Rugby League Match Review Committee.

The Sea Eagle has said it before and will say it again, No Monkey Business.

  Xavier Coates Try

It was widely reported that the Try of Storm winger Xavier Coates in Rd 2 was physics and gravity defying. See for example comments by Cooper Cronk on Fox League, and the lefty lunatics from the ABC.

Good try that it was, that is still no excuse for paying disrespect to the laws that govern all of us, that is the laws of physics. You cannot defy the laws of physics, or gravity (which incidentally is a subset of the laws of physics). Gravity of course being one of the truly dominant and most powerful of forces in the universe.

So the Sea Eagle found himself taking enormous interest in suggestions that these laws of physics and gravity had somehow been defied by an NRL player. It was certainly better than what has been dished up in recent weeks where the focus has been on racial slurs by NRL players involving coconuts and monkeys.

There can be no doubt that Coates did execute a spectacular jump in the air, with planting of said football to the in goal area. However, the fact he fell to the ground in order to plant the 4 pointer was proof positive the laws of gravity won that day. Just as well.

The last time the Sea Eagle looked, the ball needs to be grounded in a downward motion over the try line/in goal area to be declared a try. That might be a bit difficult if you are defying gravity (ie floating in the air like an astronaut in space). Just saying.

If you think the Sea Eagle can’t find something good to say about anything that involves the the Filthy Wrestling Storm, you are correct.

  Latrell Mitchell Expletive Interview

It was well documented through the week that after the Bunnies were put to the sword by the Broncos, in a Triple M post match interview that apparently as a radio station they felt the need to also film, disclosed Mr Latrell Mitchell dropping the F bomb on numerous occasions.

The palpable outrage was then unleashed by everyone with an IQ under 85, and/or in need of a reconnection of the brain stem to the body.

Naturally the NRL did nothing about this considering there was nothing to see here.

Seemingly it is an  8 weeks suspension if you call an opposing player a monkey, that nobody heard and had to be proven by the offended player giving evidence at the Judiciary.

But if you go on a national radio network, and let the F Bomb fly on multiple occasions to audience of hundreds of thousands, many of whom are young children, and also consumers of sponsor product, that is all good to go as far as the NRL is concerned.

NRL boss Andrew Abdo was also reported in the press as having vehemently denied Souths star Latrell Mitchell gets special treatment and that the sport is too afraid to sanction him. See -NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says Latrell Mitchell doesn't get special treatment – ABC Sport - 19 March 2024

From the perspective of the Sea Eagle, who himself has been known to let the F bomb fly on the odd occasion (especially when Manly are getting beaten), but perhaps not when it was really really important to try and maintain a semblance of decorum, this looks like a case of the education system sadly letting one of its own down dramatically.

It is often the case that people resort to the F bomb in circumstances where the mind is telling them what to say, but the mouth and brain are uncooperative. Basic communication skills have failed them in being able to deliver the message in a coherent and understandable way.

With that said however, the Sea Eagle privately fears that we now have another case of a “protected species” on our hands (personal opinion). In this case it is Mr Mitchell who seemingly can say whatever he wants with impunity (personal opinion).

As for the media, if they genuinely consider that this was inappropriate behaviour then it ought to be straightforward for them not to interview Mr. Mitchell on any future occasion until he publicly apologises (personal opinion),

  AFL Team Tasmanian Devils – Map of Tassie

It was announced during the week that the AFL will soon be having a new team located in Tasmania.

The Sea Eagle noticed with some interest that the proposed jersey for this new AFL outfit has a whopping big map of Tasmania on the front.

In the interest of cultural diversity, inclusion and togetherness, let's hope that when this club forms its women's team, that the map of Tassie is placed correctly and doesn't lead to the crowd engaging in lewd and unnecessary ridicule because some clueless, woke ridden ponytailed marketing guru, failed to appreciate the sensitivities of this one and placed said map in the wrong spot around the front of the shorts area.

Such a schoolboy error could derail what is already an obviously struggling foundation club needing all the help it can get.

Should the new Club push on with the prominently placed “Map of Tassie” on its playing strip, perhaps the marketing guru’s should consider a more topical and appropriate mascot. Whilst the Tassie Pussies is probably unlikely given, we already have the Geelong Cats in the AFL comp, The Sea Eagle can only but ponder on the endless possibilities and marketing synergies of the following mascot/logo – you know it makes sense!

VALE – PHIL LOWE

The Sea Eagle was saddened this week to hear of the passing of former Manly legend Phil Lowe aged 74.

Lowe was one of a number of high quality English forwards to make a name for himself at Manly in that era and was a tough, uncompromising type of player. Perhaps best described by former team mate Mike Stephenson "Phil had a magnificent physique. He had a high leg movement and the ability to stride out of a tackle. A giant of a man and a brilliant exponent of a forward running out wide in the centre areas"

 Whilst at times he could be a little error prone Lowe is best remembered for being Manly’s sole try scorer in their hard fought 1976 GF  against the Eels and there can be no doubt he stood up to be counted on the big stage that day.

Phil also had a distinguished playing career in the UK with Hull KR and is one of only a handful of players to have tasted premiership success both in Australia and UK. He represented Great Britain 12 times in an era when the Poms were more than competitive. In fact Phil was part of the last British team to taste World Cup success back in 1972.

A true great of the game and Manly legend – RIP Phil Lowe

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 2

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

Round 2

Manly Sea Eagles      21      

Defeated

Sydney Roosters    14

The Sea Eagle made a rare live appearance at this game and witnessed first hand a very solid Manly victory against a very flat looking Roosters outfit.

 In front of a sell-out home crowd Manly opened the scoring after 5 minutes when unheralded rake, Lachlan Croker capitalised on an error from Teddy Tedesco to cross.

 Despite Manly looking sharp, especially down the left edge, the Roosters hit back within minutes when lanky winger Daniel Tupou sliced through some pretty ordinary Manly defence.

Manly extended their lead when livewire centre Tolutau “Pepsi” Koula crossed following some excellent lead up work from new recruit (and former Tigers whipping boy), Luke Brooks. Following on from his impressive Manly debut in Vegas, Brooks had a very strong game and could well be the missing link Manly have been looking for. He has already formed a sharp combo with Cherry Baby and he certainly adds an extra dimension in attack that has been sorely missing in recent years.

Whilst Manly were dominating the play they struggled to convert their opportunities, and again following some pretty soft defence, allowed the Roosters back into the contest. Only a late penalty goal saw Manly retain the lead and they went in 12-10 at oranges.

Returning from the break, Manly hit the ground running and it was again some smart play from Luke Brooks who set up his former Tigers teammate Tommy Talou to score in his Manly debut. Time will tell whether to Manly can transform these ex-Tigers into genuine first-graders, but early signs are promising.

Manly were dominating all facets of the game, with barnstorming back rower Haumole Olakau’atu running roughshod. Unfortunately, Manly could not convert this dominance into points, and against the run of play Dom Young took and intercept to run the length of the field to score and to set up a nail-biting finish.

Thankfully Manly were able to settle and eventually ran out well deserved 21-14 win, a scoreline that in the Sea Eagles opinion flattered the Roosters and did not reflect Manlys dominance.

After two rounds Manly are 2-0, a position they have not found themselves in many years. Next week, it’s the despised Eels away at Combank. This is another winnable game, but Manly will need to capitalise on their opportunities more and show a greater level of patience with the ball.

‘I’ve been called a coconut many times … it’s just words’ By Christian Nicolussi March 12, 2024 – SMH

  In an addition to last weeks suggestion that the press should leave the well rejected idea and affiliation between pacific islander players and coconuts well enough alone, this one broke mid week than none other than Manly forward sensation Haumole Olakau’atu revelation that he has been called a “coconut” countless times by opponents during NRL games, but insists “it’s just words to me”.

All the Sea Eagle can say about that, is that anyone game enough to call Mr Olakau’atu “coconut”, had better be very handy in the self defence department, and on a rugby league field, a very good defender (cos this bloke is guaranteed to run straight at anyone game enough to do it).

The best way to address this fella is “mate” or “Mr Olakau’atu”.

Still he is right, as the old saying goes, sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.

The Sea Eagle it seems, will now have to repeat countless times throughout season 2024 – No Monkey Business.

  Spencer Leniu – 8 Weeks Suspension for Engaging in Monkey Business

As we all know, Rooster prop Spencer Leniu copped an 8 weeks suspension for racial sledging of Broncos Ezra Mam. According to Andrew Webster of the SMH on 11 March 2024  “The judiciary heard that, after tackling Broncos prop Payne Haas, Mam had said to his teammates, “Run it back at Spencer”. That Leniu’s first reaction was to say, “F--- up, you monkey” suggests it wasn’t a premeditated sledge, but a visceral response to a rival player on the blindside chirping at him.”

As the Dark Shark, a great supporter of the Sea Eagle has often said, one of the greatest gifts you can give any child, is to show them how to exploit the blindside. The Sea Eagle suggests Ezra Mam chirping on the blindside “Run it back at Spencer” was not exploiting the blindside as everyone understands it.

As for the suggestion Mr Leniu thought it was a visceral response to a rival player on the blindside chirping at him, the Sea Eagle would like to know Mr Leniu’s thoughts about what he thinks a visceral response actually is ? (there being no question of course that he would be well aware of the location of the blindside on a rugby league field – and how to exploit it).

Still, this whole affair just reeks of the need for everyone to cool down, and simply remember “No Monkey Business”.

Then there was this one:

  ‘Go Bananas’: Greyhound Racing NSW sacks staffer over Ezra Mam gaffe By Christian Nicolussi March 12, 2024  SMH

  “A few hours after Sydney Roosters prop Sydney Roosters prop Spencer Leniu was banned for eight weeks by the NRL judiciary for calling Mam a “monkey”, a two-year-old greyhound named Ezra Man was due to run in Maitland.

The form comments provided by GRNSW to several betting partners – including Sportsbet – about Ezra Man read: “Go Bananas! Let’s see if we can get some positive Headlines, tonight??”

When a screenshot of the offensive comments started to circulate on social media, Sportsbet shut down betting on the race altogether.

Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity confirmed to this masthead the employee who provided the form comment had since been sacked.

GRNSW described the form comments as “inappropriate and offensive” and said via a statement: “GRNSW was made aware of the comment during the evening and immediately deleted the remark, and while this removed it from thedogs.com.au, this correction did not flow through to our partners.

“GRNSW is appalled by what was published, and apologises unreservedly for the comment, and the distress it has caused.

“GRNSW also apologises unreservedly to its partners who were unwittingly and through no fault of their own, caught up in the incident. GRNSW will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and appropriate action has been taken.””

Sea Eagle Comment. The Sea Eagle smells bullsh*7it on this one. One should be very wary of news reports that based a statement of an unnamed persons being sacked, form “Sources with knowledge of the situation talking on the condition of anonymity”.

This one looks straight out of the Director Controversy’s playbook.

 Again, as has to be repeated time and time again – If you want to stay out of the limelight – “No Monkey Business”.

Sam Kerr

  Can a white person be racially vilified ? Many suggest not, it being the case to some, who are effectively dead from the neck up, that only white people can be racists and can never be offended by being called a “white bastard”.

Spencer Lenui certainly put paid to that half baked concept. Anyone apparently can be a racist regardless of skin colour.

The Sam Kerr incident has yet to play out in the UK Court’s, but allegations about taxi driver disputes, vomiting in the cab, excess alcohol consumption, then calling a UK policemen a “white bastard” are circulating everywhere. At the moment they are unsubstantiated allegations so let’s just leave it at that for now.

Pity that Sam Kerr did not play NRL. If she did, this is the sort of stuff the newly appointed female head of the Director of Controversy Women’s division (Rachael Slerr) could only dream of.

Imagine, for a moment, if the person in question had instead been a white male NRL player, half tanked in the cab, giving it to a non white UK policemen with words “black bastard” or worse “black monkey”. What would have happened then ???? Imagine also if said mythical person was named Wayne Kerr?

Again, as has to be repeated time and time again – If you want to stay out of the limelight, remember– “No Monkey Business”.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 1 - 2024

THE SEA EAGLE

NO MONKEY BUSINESS!!!

Round 1

Manly Sea Eagles      36        

Defeated

Souths Rabbitohs    24

In a good opener, Manly have continued to work on turning Tigers discards into genuine first graders. 

It has been a long time since Manly won a Rd 1 fixture, and defeating Souths (who are a very good side), albeit at altitude in Vegas on a smaller than regulation field, is a good first step in season 2024. 

This was a sea sawing affair, with 3 lead changes, and until mid second half, it was unclear who would get the chocolates. Manly overcame an 8 point deficit early in the second half to mark this as a particularly strong performance. 

Manly Haumole Olakau'atu scored a typical powerhouse try, Chery Baby class was everywhere, and the super reliable Reuben Garrick did what he always does, ie gets the job done. 

The intercept try by the Saab Turbo was memorable, and the third brother Turbo (who is turning into a bit of try scorer)  scored a nice try near the end to help Manly’s prospects. 

Tigers discard Luke Brooks had a strong game. Too early to call whether he is the answer, and one should never get too excited about any ex Tiger’s player in round 1, but so far he looks to be a good buy, and is certainly strengthening the Manly playmaking ranks. 

Manly’s run for the next 5 rounds are particularly difficult, Roosters (home), Eels (away), St George (away), Panthers (home) and Warriors (away). They will be doing well on current form, to be 3/6 after this run. 

If they can be 3 or 4 wins after 6 rounds, that should set them up well for a decent 2024 season. Time will tell. 

OFF FIELD ATROCITIES IN THE OFF SEASON 

Pretty Pi$#ss poor really. Ever since the Director of Controversy left for parts and whereabouts unknown, and the role of interim controversy administration was passed over to the bizarre Frenchman Hugh Janus, it has been a sub standard affair all round. 

Here is a few from a pretty ordinary menu of atrocities: 

Junior Amone avoids jail over hammer attack but NRL career in balance. By Adam Pengilly. SMH December 11, 2023 — 2.30pm 

Charges against NRL players Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton dropped after police admit to false evidence Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton have beaten charges of fighting outside Canberra nightclub Fiction. Australian Associated Press Wed 1 Nov 2023  

Brisbane Broncos players Adam Reynolds and Pat Carrigan receive breach notices from the NRL after their late-night scuffle- ABC News 16 February 2024 

Footy star Mitch Kenny cops ban for 'couple of Boxing Day lines' social media post involving white substance after initially blaming it on 'trolls who grabbed my phone'- AAP  27 February 2024 

 LACK OF NRL INCLUSIVITY, DIVERSITY 

In this shambolic Woke world in which we now live, the Sea Eagle was appalled to see the absolute lack of inclusivity and diversity in this article: 

How a stint on a Samoan coconut farm sparked an NRL comeback. By Dan Walsh SMH December 18, 2023 

Chanel Harris-Tavita’s feet started to itch for the NRL again with coconut in hand on a Samoan farm.……. 

Harris-Tavita raised eyebrows when he was off-contract 18 months ago and realising his passion for rugby league had waned, he walked away from a six-figure salary to work out what he wanted. Working on his uncle’s farm in the Samoan village of Afega, population 2000, and collecting coconuts on weekends, it all twigged for the 24-year-old. 

 “It was a very simple life over there,” Harris-Tavita said, having kept up with the Warriors stunning rise to a grand final qualifier under Webster when he could. 

“It really put life into perspective and made me appreciate what I have here. It was a bit of happiness and a bit of FOMO [fear of missing out]. I was in Samoa watching them play and the Wi-Fi wasn’t great. 

Sea Eagle Comment: All this article achieved is to link an incorrect stereotype between pacific islander players and “coconuts” (personal opinion). Was the news outlet concerned serious when it allowed the story go to print?. 

VIVA LAS VEGAS 

 With an off season that was less than exciting, in terms of off field indiscretions, the only thing left for fans was the prospect of 80 or so NRL players heading to Vegas to expand the religion that is rugby league to the USA. 

Many said “What could go wrong?”. As it turned out the jury is open on that until said players return home safely to Australia, and there is no later confirmation of court based legal action being taken post Vegas, against some NRL player who overstepped the mark in the land of the long lost litigation lawyer. 

This is a wait and see for now. 

The Betoota Advocate cruelly suggested that Manly were part of this trip because it fell on the same weekend as the Gay Mardi Gras, and they wanted to escape the rainbow Guernsey debacle of season 2022.  

See https://www.betootaadvocate.com/uncategorized/manly-deny-vegas-trip-has-anything-to-do-with-escaping-sydney-on-mardi-gras-weekend/ 

The Sea Eagle cannot comment on the accuracy of that, other than to say it makes perfect sense (personal opinion). 

Then in the lead up to the big day, this story exploded in Mardi Gras week, over previous magazine photo shots involving none other than any Coach Seibold: 

It was bizarre’: The day Manly coach Anthony Seibold posed for a gay magazine 

By Adrian Proszenko SMH 28 February , 2024 

 Apparently Coach Seibold when playing for the London Broncos did a gay magazine photo shoot at the instigation of then Virgin supremo Richard Branson. As this article says, “Seibold, Shane Millard, Tulsen Tollett and Jon Clarke, who is currently Manly’s head of performance, were among the players to get their kit off. Asked if he had a copy of the centrefold spread to share with Sin Bin, Seibold said: “I get enough shit as it is, I don’t want to give any more ammo to anyone.””. 

The Sea Eagle certainly can’t argue with any of that. However, with that said, given the debacle that was the Gay Pride jersey incident of 2022, which saw Manly Legend and Coach Des Hasler dumped (unceremoniously) the mind boggles at what sort of due diligence was undertaken on these two members of the Manly coaching staff (ie Siebold and Clarke). 

Manly has to got to get away from these LGBTQ promotional backdrops and concentrate on rugby league. It’s quite clear this is the sort of thing that can turn half the camp (no pun intended) towards giving up playing rugby league for religious reasons.  

Anything that has the capacity to cause an NRL player to refuse to play rugby league cannot be good. 

As to whether the Vegas experiment will be a long term piece of strategy genius remains to be seen. The Sea Eagle reminds the NRL, that history is littered with failed Australian enterprises who thought going to America and taking them on was a good idea. 

It may be a tough ask going to the USA to try and dominate a 350m plus population base (apparently increasing at the rate of 0.5m people a week in illegal arrivals over the Southern borders). Regrettably, Rugby League is a game that is regularly confused with Rugby Union in the USA . Despite its relative simplicity as compared to the farce that is international Rugby Union, it would be fair to say Rugby League is generally not well recognised, let alone understood, in the USA. 

No doubt those in control at League Central have a master plan to cover all of this. After all, everyone would readily accept that Rugby League has a long and distinguished history of doing things thoroughly, in a well considered and well executed way. 

Manly Prospects Season 24 

Many have asked the Sea Eagle over recent weeks, how will Manly go in 2024? 

First, let’s face some cold inconvenient facts. Manly have not made the 8 in the last 2 years. For reasons only they can explain, they also believe that buying players from the West Tigers will improve this and turn them into a premiership powerhouse. 

Presently in the line up Manly have the following ex Tigers: 

Luke Brooks 

Tommy Talau 

Matthew Lodge 

Josh Aloai 

Nathan Brown 

Aitasi James 

Aaron Woods*** 

 *** (present status as a Sea Eagle unclear) 

The jury is out on this one. As John Cadogan of Auto Expert has often quipped, its time to apply “the BFS- Bullshi*4t  Fact Separator” to this one, and as Investment guru Ben Graham once quoted,  lets put this whole ex Tiger’s player purchase program “under the microscope of common sense”. 

Whilst some ex Tigers players clearly go better when they leave the Den (let’s face it they couldn’t go any worse), the Sea Eagle privately fears like all things Tigers, that the wheels will eventually fall off when the blow torch of pressure football is applied. 

Time will tell, but the Manly faithful will be watching (like Greta Thunberg at a RAM and Chevy truck convention in Tampa Bay Florida). If the implosion does occur, Manly management can expect to hear some fairly well constructed criticism from all sides on another fine mess the Club will have found themselves in.  

The market for used up Ex Tigers players is is much like that of used EV’s. The best outcome you can expect is to pay someone to take it/them off your hands. 

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 11

THE SEA EAGLE

GOOD LUCK AUSTRALIA

Round 11

Manly Sea Eagles      20        

Defeated by

Parramatta Eels   22

After last weeks debacle, Manly welcomed back Josh Schuster and Ron Jeremy (aka Morgan Harper) for this round 11 clash against their traditional rivals, the despised Eels. Disappointingly, there was no sign of Brad Parker, who remains side-lined by what must be an injury.

Smarting from last weeks loss, Manly started the game with purpose. They were able to repel the early Eels onslaught and then managed to open the scoring after 13 minutes when Ruebin Garrick crossed in the corner.

Whilst the Eels were able to hit back with a try of their own Manly were able to extend their lead when emerging winger Christian Tuipulotu. Young Stipulate looks a promising prospect. He also bears an uncanny resemblance to Morgan Harper aka +Ron Jeremy.  the Sea Eagles only criticism being that spellcheck is wreaking havoc with these hard to spell/pronounce Polynesian surnames.

In a seesawing first half the Eels countered again and it was 12-10 to Manly at oranges. Unfortunately, in the dying minute of the first half, Manly made the fatal mistake of declining an easy 2 point penalty (when Mitch Moses was binned for a professional foul), a decision that would in the end come back to haunt them. The Sea Eagle has long advocated taking the easy 2 points when on offer and with only 40 seconds remaining in the half it beggars belief that Manly did not take this option.

Manly were able to maintain the momentum for the most part of the second half and were playing a brand of football far removed from the dribble that they dished up last week against the Broncos. With 20 minutes remaining Manly looked to be in control maintaining a comfortable 20-10 lead against an Eels team that looked rattled.

Then with 15 minutes remaining things turned pear-shaped not only for Manly in this game, but for their entire season when Tommy Turbo was forced from the field with what has since been confirmed as a season ending shoulder injury. 

On his day, there is no better player in the game than Tommy. It’s also fair to say that there is no more injury prone player in the game than Turbo, who’s entire NRL career has be marred with injury after injury and more time on the sideline than on the field.

The last few minutes was marred by a refereeing howler when young Manly winger Christian Stipulate (bugger that spellcheck again) was penalised and put on report for what appeared to be a fair but bone crunching try saving tackle. It would appear now that the NRL is cracking down on any sort of tackle that inflicts any form of contact (note gang tackles of 3 or more in a tackle crushing and suffocating a player is still okay though).

Without Turbo and up against a mountain of possession Manly made a valiant effort to repel the Eels but, in the end, it counted for zip as the Eels crossed with 2 minutes to go to pull off a come from behind win.

The Sea Eagle is willing to fully acknowledging the notion of Rugby League 101 (ie the team with the most points at the end of the game is the winner and by definition the better team). Despite being hammered in the penalties 11-2 and being on the end of some crap refereeing decisions the Sea Eagle will not buy into any criticism of the refereeing in this game (other than to say they were beyond sh$tho%se – personal opinion). The Sea Eagle will however be staging his own personal protest, that being an indefinite self-ban on watching the NRL.

The Sea Eagle has become so disillusioned with the current state of NRL, the style of play, the inept refereeing and bunker intervention (and not to mention the banal and incompetent commentary on both Ch 9 and Fox). A bit like Tommy Turbo, the Sea Eagle’s 2022 season has come to an abrupt end and unless some sort of miracle happens this will be the last readers will hear from him until next year.

Trent Barrett Gone as Coach of Dogs

It is well documented the Sea Eagle suggested Coach Barrett would fail at the Dogs. Any due diligence would have shown that up deluxe.

Is there a clearer example of never going any better when they leave the nest than this? This bloke coached the Dogs to the spoon last year, and when given the team he wanted, they found themselves sitting last on the ladder, losing the battle for the spoon last week against the hapless Knights. Once that happened his days were numbered. He was gone the next day.

Does the Sea Eagle care about any of this? Not in the slightest. His tenure at Manly was a debacle, and his departure and parting comments was less than satisfactory.

Where to now for Coach Barrett? Where else- back to where it all began- head coach of St George. In fact, it should be a dual coaching role of no doubt soon to be ex-coach of the Warriors, Nathan Brown, and ex-coach of the Dogs Trent Barrett. What could go wrong with that partnership? As the man on the fat Sam Kekovich once said, you know it makes sense.

The Election – another debacle

With the quality of candidates for this one, you would be forgiven for thinking this was a contest for the Presidency of the local golf club. Alas, it was a contest to be the Prime Mincer. This election is proof positive of the words of the angry little man, Napoleon Bonaparte - "If you wish to be a success in the world, promise everything, deliver nothing."

As for Scomo’s (aka the Bulldozer) unfortunate tackle on a young Tasmanian junior soccer player, as the angry little man, Napoleon Bonaparte once said - “In politics stupidity is not a handicap”.

To the young lad the subject of this tackle gone wrong, the Sea Eagle suggests the following key take aways from this unfortunate incident:

When you get hit, get up and be ready, there is always another set of six coming your way – or as the angry little man, Napoleon Bonaparte put it - "Victory is not always winning the battle...but rising every time you fall."

 If you think some old bloke near you wandering around in a tie, poses no threat – you are wrong - even if he is the PM of Straya.

The voting public have now consigned the Bulldozer to the political scrap heap. With his political career over do we dare to dream that a transition into the NRL coaching ranks beckons. The Dogs would be a great fit and surely the Bulldozer could do no worse than Trent Barrett.

How to Pay for Climate Action

Election 2022 has well and truly seen the emergence of the Teal/Climate independents as a major political force, well and truly shafting Scomo and his merry band of incompetents.

There has been an overwhelming wave of support for action on climate change from the inner-city lefties and the affluent harbour dwelling lefty elites. In fact, one would be excused for thinking that in their little bubbles there is no greater (or other) issue facing the world at present, but try telling that to those getting bombed in Ukraine or starving in Africa (or unable to afford petrol for the car).

 Albo will no doubt now be claiming a mandate to tackle climate change but the question is how do we pay for the action they demand on climate change.

 As far as the Sea Eagle is concerned the answer is simple, a new Climate Levy, but one that is paid by those who most want the action. The Sea Eagle is proposing a new Climate Levy (also known as the Teal Tax) based on postcode or which electorate you are domicile. The Sea Eagle maintains that all taxpayers in the Teal or Green electorates get hit with a 2% levy regardless who you voted for, increasing to 5% if you did in fact vote Teal/Green. This would go towards not only paying for the action that they want, but subsidising those in regional areas losing their livelihoods as a consequence.

 They want it, they pay for it - Let’s see how that one plays out

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Magic Round Edition

THE SEA EAGLE

BULIDING A BETTER RUGBY LEAGUE FUTURE

Round 7 Recap

Manly Sea Eagles      22

Defeated by

Cronulla Sharks                    34

Taking on the Sharks in the dark and the rain at Shark Park is never an easy assignment but no one could have predicted the first half onslaught that the Sharks inflicted on Manly, racking up a 32-zip lead at half-time. Quite frankly, Manly were legless, with Cherry Baby MIA and young Centre Ron Jeremy aka Morgan Harper will be having nightmares for years to come having to front up to a rampaging Siofosa Talakai.

Not surprisingly Young Harper was pulled-off at half time (Steve Mavin style) by coach Hasler and (rightfully) has not been sighted in the top grade ever since.

Without Harper, it was a different Manly outfit in the second half as they piled on the pressure and the points, at one stage threatening to pull off an unlikely come from behind resurgence. With 15 minutes to go it was 32-22 and anyone’s game. Alas, it was not to be as Manly ended up losing to their former perennial whipping boys, and heading back to the peninsula with their tails well and truly between their legs.

Round 8 Recap

Manly Sea Eagles      22

Defeated by

South Sydney Rabbits          40

Coming off the prior week’s second half performance, expectations were high for an improved performance by Manly in this round 8 clash against the Bunnies.

It was a promising start by Manly, but when young backrower Karl Lawton was marched for a spear tackle gone wrong after only 8 minutes the Sea Eagle spat the dummy and switched off to watch the netball on YouTube.

Whether young Lawton was rightfully given his marching orders, is highly debatable. What is clear however, is that the send-off was an overreach by the bunny in the headlights referee (personal opinion) and ruined a potentially good game, prompting the Sea Eagle (and no doubt half the viewing audience) to tune out and off.

Well done NRL. Your sponsors and the Ch 9 sponsors would be ecstatic about that.

Having seen the final result in the following days media, it’s fair to say that the undermanned Manly gave it a good crack, but without the full complement of players it is virtually impossible in the modern game to come away victorious with 12 against 13 (unless you are the Sharks at Shark Park playing the Warriors).

Round 9 Recap

Manly Sea Eagles      36

Defeated

Wests Tigers              22

Smarting from two consecutive losses, Manly came out all guns a blazing against the struggling (but improving and plucky) Tigers.

Not surprisingly it was a Trbojevic Turbo that led the way. What was surprising though was that it was not Tommy or Jake, but rather younger brother Ben that shone in this one with 2 tries and a strong all round performance. Young Ben looks a real prospect, initially coming into the starting line up to replace the hapless Ron Jeremy (aka Morgan Harper) in the centres, but later switch to the back row to replace the injured Josh Schuster.

The Sea Eagle can only hope, on behalf of all Manly supporters that there are more Trbojevics’ Turbo’s coming through the ranks as Ben, along with brothers Tommy and Jake looks a bona fide superstar who together, one day may guide Manly to further premiership success.

Manly of course has the other turbo in the repair shop (ie reserve grade) namely the Jason Saab Turbo. Like his motoring namesake, he has relentless reliability issues and is becoming well acquainted with the reserve grade coach until these bugs in his game are repaired. Saab Turbo can be a good player on his day, but he is intermittent, like much of the Manly side at present, hence their diabolical position on the ladder (more on this below).

Round 10 Magic Round

Manly Sea Eagles      0

Defeated by

Brisbane Broncos      38

 Played at the Manly’s spiritual home ground, Lang Park, Manly hosted the high flying Broncos in this round 10 “Magic Round “clash.

It was a disastrous start for Manly as they failed to catch the kick off in second 2, gifting the Bronco’s early possession and field position. Manly were duly punished as the Bronco’s opened the scoring after a minute.

The remainder of the half was a pretty uninspiring affair with both sides having their chances and making plenty of errors. Unfortunately, with only 5 minutes left in the half, young centre Toultau Koula did his best Ron Jeremy/Morgan Harper/Jason Saab Turbo impersonation coughing up easy possession leading to another Bronco’s try - 14-0 at oranges. The Sea Eagle longs for the return of the reliable Brad Parker (and whoever thought the Sea Eagle would say that!).

The errors that plagued Manly in the first half continued in the second. Unable to hold possession, Manly were again punished when the Bronco’s opened their second half account via Selwyn Cobbo. Bronco’s (and Souths legend) recruit, Adam Reynold’s was having a field day with the ball on a string and Manly half and captain Cherry Baby should be taking note on the way that Reynolds goes about his business.

From a Manly perspective, the remainder of the second half descended into a debacle, reminiscent of the 1988 clash between these sides. The only difference being that the 1998 Bronco’s team was comprised of all-time greats (ie Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Allan Langer, Greg Dowling etc) as opposed to the current Broncos a team of low profile (Adam Reynolds excepted) battlers.

With upcoming games against the Eels (away) and Storm (away), Manly risk slipping out of contention in season 2022. Sure they won’t get the spoon but another premiership looks a fair way off.

The Sea Eagle will call it now. Manly will do well to make the 8 (or at least threaten for it) and will not win the comp in season 2022.

Leaving the Nest Again

It has been widely reported in media outlets that veteran Manly pivot, Kieran Foran has been lured to the Gold Coast Titans by a big dollar multi-year deal.

Readers of the Sea Eagle report will be fully aware of the phenomena “they never go better when they leave the nest” and if anyone should be mindful of this concept it should also be Foran, a proven poster boy.

Seeking greener pastures, a younger Foran (after winning a premiership a Manly) left the nest after the 2013 GF to join the Eels. After leaving the nest Foran’s career went into free-fall, with his tenures at the Eels and then the Dogs and Warriors marred with both injury and poor form and a myriad of rumoured off field personal problems.

Upon returning to Manly last year, Foran has recaptured his form of old and has been a consistent contributor, advocating that “they do go better when they return to the nest”!!

In saying that, in the twilight of an illustrious career and with young Josh Schuster coming through the ranks as a likely replacement it’s fair to say that Foran’s days in the top grade at Manly are numbered. Foran deserves a decent payday and the hapless Titans again deserve to pay massive overs for a player well past his best and one tackle away from retirement.

Finally, for renowned NRL journalist Christian Nicolussi to suggest that Foran’s move to the Titan’s will have a similar impact to Adam Reynold’s shift to the Bronco’s shows a distinct lack of Rugby League IQ (personal opinion). As Foran has previously highlighted, no one goes better when they leave the nest (Jarrod Warrea-Hargraves excepted), the list is long and distinguished. On the other hand, Reynold’s has left a team previously coach by Wayne Bennett to seek other opportunities. 

It is also a proven phenomenon that no team goes better when Coach Bennett leaves, in fact they go worse, much worse, just ask the Dragons, Knights and Souths. Adam Reynolds was smart enough to recognise this and get out when the going was good.

The Sea Eagle has nothing but admiration for Kieran Foran. You can say what you like about his career, but what cannot be denied is that he is a premiership winner and Kiwi Test Player, always gives it his best. He has plenty of skill, is a great defender, and is tough as they come. But father time cannot be stopped, and Kieran Foran is on the wrong side of 30.

The Sea Eagle says well done Keiran Foran, grab that coin from the Goldy, and you will always be welcome at Manly after you retire.

Does Sticky have a F$#king Fetish?

Earlier in the year as indicated in a prior report, Raiders Coach Ricky (Sticky) Stuart bemoaned the fact that the Raiders were sick of “copping it up the arse”.

Fast forward a few weeks and now Sticky has fronted a post-game press conference exploding with the expletive “f$#k me dead”.

The Sea Eagle is not sure what is going on in Sticky’s mind other than to suggest that between his assertion of the Raiders apparently being firstly f4#ked up the arse and now Ricky alleging something about being f%#ked to death (personal opinion) - all can’t be well at Raiders central.

It’s fair to say that the Raiders have not set the world on fire this season and they are languishing with the bottom feeders on the premiership ladder. Perhaps Sticky is trying to deflect some pressure or perhaps is he just obsessed with the Raiders apparently being F%$ked in some fashion (either in the so called “arse” or “dead” on a regular basis (personal opinion).

MANLY BLACK JUMPERS

 Manly wore black jumpers in this Rd 10 Magic Round fixture, which was no doubt due to some brain fade from some woke lefty pony tailed marketing numbskull who grew up supporting netball or soccer or worse.

With no one else to blame, the Sea Eagle suggests this must have been a PointsBet initiative. After all their brand was splattered all over this disgrace to the Manly Maroon and White tradition.

 There must be consequences for this. Such a thing cannot go unpunished.

 If you want to vent your anger, never bet with PointsBet and tell all your colleagues to go elsewhere if they do, at least until PointsBet either apologise for this abomination if it was their idea, or they publicly announce they had nothing to do with it (and name the culprit).

 Also, consider speaking to a licensed adviser about short selling Points Bet whose recent YoYo share price replicates the Manly performance on field this year, remembering this is not financial advice, and you should do this on paper only, as you may or will lose all your money.

Gang violence fears mean community matches could be called off- By Adrian Proszenko  May 11, 2022 – SMH

  Fears of an outbreak of gang violence could result in community football games in western Sydney being cancelled this weekend after police warned that players and spectators “armed with weapons” could descend upon matches.

The Penrith District Junior Rugby League (PDJRL) circulated a letter to its members stating that games would be abandoned “where intelligence suggests everyone’s safety is compromised”. The edict could affect several teams in the Riverstone region, forcing adult community league games to be called off this weekend.

“As we can all appreciate, the NSW Police Force (NSWPF), the NSW Rugby League and PDJRL will not tolerate threats of violence, intimidation or acts of violence including affray, which are all serious criminal offences.

“The NSW police minister, the Honourable Paul Toole, yesterday announced details of a statewide ‘Fit For Life’ program with PCYC and multiple sporting bodies; while Penrith have already launched a positive cultures program for players aged 12-15 years.”

Sea Eagle Comment

Of course, Rugby League is no stranger to the so-called phrase “gang”. Thank goodness Minister Toole is onto it.

There should be no surprise here that this has now descended into outright gang violence in junior rugby league matches.

After all, isn’t the so called “gang tackle” both revered and admired, even though it is very dangerous and has caused serious injury over the years?

Also, let’s not forget that the rock band, “Gang of Youths” headlined the 2018 grand final !!!!

One could of course go on, particularly some of the less savoury allegations against NRL players and the so called off field “gang bang” incidents.

And then, in what is very close to gang violence, we had the wild brawl at Lang Park in Magic Round:

NRL boss Andrew Abdo fumes as ‘disgraceful’ brawl mars Magic Round

Police have acted after the ‘unacceptable’ incident overshadowed a showpiece evening for the NRL.- Seven News 14/5/22

A man unleashes a coward punch from behind during a disgraceful brawl. Credit: Twitter

NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said the game would ensure any fans involved would be banned from future fixtures.

“There’s absolutely no place for violence at our games,” Abdo told News Corp.

“Aside from the action the authorities may take, we will also ban any fan who engages in violence in the grandstands. It will not be tolerated.

SEA EAGLE COMMENTARY:

Everyone agrees gang violence at junior rugby league matches, and brawling in the stands at NRL games  is unacceptable. But really, are these latest issues too much of a surprise given how rugby league both on and off the field has embraced the word “gang” over many years?

The NRL has to come down hard on this one.

That is, banning the gang tackle, banning Gang of Youths from playing at all future fixtures, banning the use of the word “gang” by any commentator in relation to rugby league matches, and banning all fans from attending NRL matches.

The Sea Eagle understands NRL players participating in so called “gang bangs” has already been banned, so there is no need to go down that path. But they might also want to look at banning players parading on the field looking like 70’s or 80’s porn stars, lest it leave the wrong impression on the lawless youth of outer western Sydney that this is acceptable.

The Sea Eagle has said this before and will say it again, any rugby league fixture, event, promotion, whether it be in the junior under 6’s or the NRL, Origin or Test Matches, or a Dally M Awards night MUST have a big maroon flashing sign at the entry to said venue simply stating-

“WARNING RUGBY LEAGUE FIXTURE INSIDE - ENTER AT OWN RISK”.

MANLY CONTRARIAN FUND

The Sea Eagle has paused on investing in recent rounds, with no clear opportunities presenting themselves. The Sharks were favourites at Shark Park so no joy there. Even the Tigers paying $5 at Brookvale in Rd 9 was considered an unwise investment (as was proven to be the case – with that said it is an investment truism -never, never back the Tigers).

Then it appeared like magic aka the Magic Round. Here was the 8th placed Broncos playing an up and down (form wise) 7th placed Manly, with the Broncos in good recent form and playing at home (even though it was a Manly home game). The Broncos were outsiders paying $2.30 with rising bookmaker Bet Right.

A welcome 130% return on the numerous Sea Eagle Coins invested was the result as Manly copped a 38 nil shellacking.

As at Rd 10, the Manly Contrarian Fund stands at negative 70% and with Manly on a 50% win/loss ratio. As they say, wagering can see you lose all your money, so gamble responsibly.

Manly have the Eels and then Storm up next. Both will be overwhelming favourites. So it might be a while before the next opportunity presents itself for the Manly Contrarian Fund to turn around the debacle that is Manly Contrarian Fund investing in season 2022.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 6

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 6

Manly Sea Eagles      26        

Defeated

Gold Coast Titans     18

Manly returned home to Fortress Brookie for the first time in a while to take on the struggling Gold Coast Titans.

Again, they were without the services of the injured Tommy Turbo, and Morgan Harper was a late withdrawal due contracting covid.

None of this seemed to matter as Manly asserted their authority from the outset. Haumole Olakau'atu pounced on a Cherry Baby grubber after 10 minutes to open the scoring, and when in-form winger come fullback Rueben Garrick found himself on the end of some slick backline play it looked like a rout was in the offering – similar to the corresponding game last season.

Manly were playing with purpose and creating plenty of opportunities and it was only a matter of time before the floodgates opened.

Haumole Olakau'atu added to his tally when he barged over from close range. Young Olakau'atu is a beast of a man and is almost unstoppable when in full flight. It’s fair to say in this clash Olakau'atu well and truly overshadowed his more hyped up and overpaid Titans rival (i.e David Fifita) and if he can maintain this sort of form the sky is the limit for up and coming back rower.

Despite the Titans running in a try of their own (against the run of play) Manly went into the sheds at oranges with a 24-4 lead. It was a dominant first half display from Manly and to some extent this scoreline flattered the Titans, who quite frankly were playing like a bundle of twigs.

The second half was a completely different affair. While Manly looked good in the opening stanza, the Titans gradually began to assert their dominance and issue a challenge. Three tries in quick succession saw them reduce Manly’s lead to 24-18 with 15 minutes remaining and at this point Manly’s grip on the game was very shaky indeed.

As has been the case throughout much of their history in the NRL, the Titans were unable to produce enough when it really counted to get the chocolates and Manly were able to hang on to record their fourth successive victory (and second without the services of Tommy T).

The Sea Eagle would like to single out rookie centre Tolutau Koula for special mention. A late replacement for the covid ravaged Morgan Harper. Young Koula, who has an amazing sporting pedigree (that being both his parents were former Olympians) was solid in both attack and defence and also possessed plenty of speed. His performance can be best summed up by an unnamed Fox Sports commentator - “Koula hasn’t played much first grade but plays like a first grader”

Whilst Manly have now put together 4 wins on the trot, these have been against second rate balls of chopped meat (ie. Dogs, Raiders, Knights and now Titans) – it’s fair to say that none of these teams will be featuring at the pointy end of the competition come September. The next 2 rounds will tell us more.

Next week the Pointsbet sponsored Manly travel to Poinsbet Stadium aka Shark Park (how does that make any sense) to take on the perennial whipping boys. That said under new coach Craig Fitzgibbon the Sharks are much improved and should provide Manly with a proper challenge. Following that it’s the Bunnies.

The Sea Eagle will be out of play for a few weeks, so let’s hope Manly can keep the roll going.

‘I am not a homophobe’: Marcelo Montoya handed four-game NRL ban for slur

 Winger pleads guilty before NRL judiciary to contrary conduct     charge

Warriors     player expresses remorse for using homophobic slur

The Guardian 13/4/22

 Warriors winger Marcelo Montoya has received a four-game NRL suspension at the NRL judiciary for the on-field use of a homophobic slur directed to North Queensland winger Kyle Feldt.

According to the Guardian, while Feldt lay on the ground after a tackle during the Warriors’ 25-24 win on Friday, Montoya yelled: “Get up Kyle, you faggot”.

Montoya, who appeared via video link from the club’s Redcliffe base on Tuesday, had pleaded guilty to the contrary conduct charge.

The winger expressed remorse for the incident in front of the judiciary panel of chair Geoff Bellew and former players Tony Puletua and Bob Lindner.

“I am not a homophobe and gays in the community are valued, that’s my position,” Montoya said. “In the heat of the moment on the footy field things are said.

“I accept that word is unacceptable and that’s definitely something out of character. There was no intention to offend anyone or Kyle.”

Montoya’s lawyer James McLeod painted the picture of a well-behaved player, alluding to the winger’s clean record at the NRL judiciary.

He argued Montoya should receive a three-game suspension with a one-week reduction given the winger came forward and gave an early guilty plea.

But NRL counsel Lachlan Gyles made the case that Montoya’s comments were not in the spirit of a game which has historically been “inclusive and egalitarian in nature”.

Gyles argued that Montoya should receive six weeks but said there should be a discount of two weeks for his remorse, an early guilty plea and clean record.

“It’s a derogatory term which can promote discrimination and hatred of gay men,” Gyles said.

“The use of that term is unacceptable in modern society and everyone connected with the game has the right to feel safe and protected.”

Those factors were all considered by Puletua and Lindner who unanimously agreed to a four-game ban. Montoya will not return for the Warriors until their game against South Sydney on 14 May.

Sea Eagle Comment:

Yet again Woke, left leaning extremism has overrun the NRL judiciary. The NRL needs to be more concerned with eliminating the wrestle and foul play of all types, rather than words that players utter in the heat of battle. Particularly, as the NRL judiciary apparently accepted that” everyone connected with the game has the right to feel safe and protected”.

The Internet’s free dictionary defines the term “faggot” as follows:

faggot

 (ˈfæɡət) or 

1. a bundle of sticks or twigs, esp when bound together and used as fuel

2. (Metallurgy) a bundle of iron bars, esp a box formed by four pieces of wrought iron and filled with scrap to be forged into wrought iron

3. (Cookery) a ball of chopped meat, usually pork liver, bound with herbs and bread and eaten fried

4. a bundle of anything

5. to collect into a bundle or bundles

6. (Knitting & Sewing) needlework to do faggoting on (a garment, piece of cloth, etc)

[C14: from Old French, perhaps from Greek phakelos bundle]

faggot

 (ˈfæɡət)

An offensive slang chiefly US and Canadian a male homosexual. Often shortened to: fag

Now it is plain that there are many meanings to the term. Mr Montoya obviously pleaded guilty because he considered his use of the term was the latter reference, namely offensive slang directed towards male homosexuals.

With that said, there were many alternative lines that could have been run by Mr Montoya on this one, namely the reference to Kyle Feldt lying on the ground was:

He was lying there like a bundle of sticks/twigs;

He was lying there like a bundle of iron bars;

He was lying there like a ball of chopped meat; or

He was lying there like a piece of needlework.

Now the Sea Eagle recognises, that asking a rugby league player to explain what he meant when uttered the term faggot, by reference to a dictionary definition, might be a bit of a stretch, and certainly a high-risk strategy. But then again, unless the Sea Eagle is missing something, doesn’t the NRL prosecutor have to prove the offence? Mr Montoya does need to necessarily say a word in his defence.

How could the NRL prove their case in the face of these numerous interpretations of the term. The first thing the NRL would have to do, is put up an expert as to what the term faggot actually means.

Any expert who the NRL put up, who suggested it can only mean a derogatory homophobic slur, would surely have to concede when shown the dictionary definition, that there indeed are many possible interpretations, and the matter was anything but free from doubt. In the Sea Eagle’s view, in the face of that, the NRL case of contrary conduct against Mr Montoya, for uttering a word that was capable of 4 or 5 different meanings, was dead in the water.

Now compare the 4 week suspension handed out for this one, with the following other NRL suspensions from Rd 5 in the NRL:

Matt Burton  (Bulldogs)

Grade 1 Dangerous Contact

Guilty - Early plea

$1000

Braidon Burns (Bulldogs)

Grade 1 Crusher Tackle

Guilty - Early plea

$1500

Braden Hamlin-Uele (Sharks)

Grade 1 Careless High Tackle

Guilty - Early plea

$1000

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves  (Roosters)

Grade 1 Dangerous Contact

Guilty - Early plea

$1000

Josh Papalii (Raiders)

Grade 1 Dangerous Contact 

Guilty - Early plea

$1000

Junior Paulo (Eels)

Grade 2 Careless High Tackle

Guilty - Early plea

One match 

On any basis, when one sees Braidon Burns from the Dogs getting a $1500 fine for an early guilty plea for crusher tackle, one can only conclude the NRL judiciary does not give a flying you know what about player welfare or the look of the game to parents and children (personal opinion). A crusher tackle once proven, deserves a yearlong suspension as a minimum, given its potential to maim or render said victim with the permanent use of a wheelchair.

On what basis is a crusher tackle consistent with the apparent stated objective that “everyone connected with the game has the right to feel safe and protected”?

Finally, the Sea Eagle would recommend to all players, that letting fly with alleged or actual homophobic slurs can sometimes land you in a world of hurt. If you want to feel safe and protected the Sea Eagle suggests you should steer away from such comments in light of your own personal safety.

Just ask Garry Jack about the immediate physical retribution thar was dealt to him, after he allegedly let something similar fly to Manly’s Ian Roberts a few years back: Perhaps in this case a more appropriate punishment would have been for young Montoya to be locked in a room with Big Ian for 10 minutes of re-education.

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 5

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 5

Manly Sea Eagles      30       

Defeated

Newcastle Knights    6

Without an injury-prone Tommy Turbo, a depleted Manly side travelled up the Pacific Hwy not only to be greeted by the Knights, but also confronted with less than ideal sloppy and wet conditions.

After an even and uninspiring opening stanza, Manly eventually opened the scoring after 25 minutes when replacement backrower Andrew Davey barged over courtesy of a deft Dylan Walker offload. 

The Sea Eagle doesn’t know much about the not so young Davey, other than he is the definition  of a rugby league journeyman, who has previously had a stint with the Eels. This is generally not the sort of CV that would support a first grade slot at Manly, however Davey did well to firstly receive the offload and secondly to plant it for a four pointer, so obviously he has managed to grasp a few important basics since venturing to the peninsula.

Manly extended their lead a few minutes later when Morgan Harper aka Ron Jeremy steamed onto a probing Cherry Baby grubber to score. Young Harper has been on the receiving end of some scathing Sea Eagle criticism in recent weeks and it was pleasing to see his response, delivering a fine all-round performance.

10 zip at oranges, a scoreline which not only summed up Manly’s first half dominance but highlighted the Knights attacking deficiencies. Without Tommy Turbo, Manly (rightly) adopted a fairly conservative but effective game plan – the Sea Eagle is unsure of what the Knights excuse was.

The second half started disastrously for Manly when Jason Saab failed to defuse a fairly routine high kick from the restart, gifting the Knights early field position. As with his vehicular namesake, young Saab is plagued with reliability issues and has real problems under the high ball. 

When the Turbo returns, positions on the Manly wing or backline will be hard to come by, as youngster Christian Tuipulotu had a strong game, and another youngster, Tolutau Koula is also sniffing around looking for an opportunity. Either Saab needs to rectify this problem asap or the Manly selection committee should adopt the recent recommendation provided by the Sea Eagle re: Morgan Harper (ie acquaint himself with the reserve grade coach at the first available opportunity).

Whilst the Knights did not initially capitalize on the Saab error, the extent of subsequent possession particularly on the back of multiple repeat sets saw them cross within 10 minutes via gun fullback, Kaylin Ponga. Special praise needs to go to Kaylin Ponga in this one. He is a seriously good rugby league player, and he was the only reason the Knights were competitive for as long as they were. If they lose him, jeepers, who knows what might become of them.

The majority of the second half degenerated into a mistake fest, particularly from Manly with errors galore. Manly’s ineptitude was highlighted by a Cherry Baby brain fade which saw him attempt a cross field kick (aimed at Saab) within his own quarter, only to find touch and again gift the Knights more attacking field position. Only a Knight’s error saved Manly and Cherry Baby from further embarrassment.

With 10 minutes remaining Manly were able to finally ice the game when replacement backrower Karl Lawton powered over from dummy half. A bit like his backrower cohort, Andrew Davey, Lawton is also somewhat of a journeyman, although there is nothing on record to suggest that he has ever played at the Eels – which is definitely an advantage.

It would be fair to say Manly’s big forwards got the job done in this fixture, in the end overpowering the somewhat smaller Knights pack in a steamrolling affair late in both halves. Special mention goes to Josh Aloiai, Haumole Olakau’atu and Jake Trbojevic who clearly dominated the Knights pack.

Despite a mountain of errors, Manly ended up running out comfortable 30-6 winners suggesting no Tommy Turbo – no problem, at least against any team placed 7th or lower on the table. Manly’s depth off the bench provided plenty of attacking penetration and with the return in coming weeks of Josh Schuster and eventually Tommy Turbo they are on an upward trajectory. That said, the Knights are certifiably useless and have virtually nothing to offer in terms of attack. Based on this performance they could well be challenging the Tigers and Dogs for the Spoon in season 2022.

Many Contrarian Fund

The Sea Eagle thought he was on a winner with emerging bookie BetRight, adopting the Jack Gibsonism, winning starts Monday, and backing the Knights at $2.60 on Monday as the market opened. When the Turbo was ruled out of the Manly line up mid-week, the Knights firmed to $1.80 favourites, leading the Sea Eagle to think he had made a heady investment decision.

Regrettably it came unstuck, with the Knights, who usually against Manly at Newcastle are hard to beat (let alone with Manly having no Turbo), and yet offering absolutely zero in terms of resistance.

As at Rd 5 the Manly Contrarian Fund stands at negative 200% and with Manly on a 60% win/loss ratio. As they say, wagering can see you lose all your money, so gamble responsibly. The Sea Eagle will need to put the cue in the rack for a while, and wait until Manly play away where the home team is at ridiculously long odds, and hopefully at a ground where Manly have a poor record.

There are 2 realistic possibilities that immediately come to mind, Shark Park, and Wollongong Showground aka Illawarra Stadium (if Manly play there this year). There may be others, but time will tell.

PUNEET DIKSHIT

Former Mckinsey Partner Sentenced To 24 Months In Prison For Insider Trading Scheme. Defendant Puneet Dikshit Was a Lead McKinsey Partner Advising Goldman Sachs on Its Acquisition of GreenSky. Department of Justice U.S. Attorney’s Office Southern District of New York - 6 April 2022

The Sea Eagle at first was appalled when he saw this one flash across the Bloomberg ticker tape. Who has a surname Dikshit the Sea Eagle pondered? Surely this is a gee up. As Kamahl was famously and cruelly lampooned by Hey Hey Its Saturday with so called “why are people so unkind” skits, the Sea Eagle in due deference to inclusivity and ensuring no racial slurs occur in this publication, will simply say that Mr Dikshit, given his unfortunate surname and his 2 years in a US slammer (where he may well be the recipient of a fist sized prostate massage) and likely deportation from the USA, has enough problems as it is.

Let’s just leave it at that.

PAYNE HAAS V ALBERT KELLY

Haas And Kelly At The Mercy Of Integrity Unit Following Drunken Brawl - SEN Media 3 April 2022

Brisbane Broncos teammates Payne Haas and Albert Kelly have found themselves in hot water after footage emerged of them allegedly drunkenly fighting.

The incident is believed to have occurred after one of the pair stepped on the other’s shoes, with Haas hitting and pushing Kelly after he was grabbed by the neck.

Since this is Haas’ second alcohol related incident – after last year being suspended three games and fined $50,000 for his tirade against NSW Police – The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes the forward could soon learn that his actions have consequences to his earning potential.

“It’s in the hands of the NRL Integrity Unit now the video that emerged overnight,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.

“It’s Kelly and Haas fighting over what I understand to be someone stepping on someone’s shoes between the two.

….While Haas has naturally drawn the headlines as a superstar of the competition, SEN host Andrew Voss also pointed out that Kelly was equally at fault for the incident.

“I’ll call it as I see it, Albert Kelly on the video is dribbling drunk,” Voss added.

“He’s a 31-year-old man … you’ve got to know (your actions have consequences).”

Sea Eagle Comment:

The Broncos are no strangers to their players fighting each other. Let’s not forget the off season and the Mad Monday debacle when on September 14th, 2021 the Courier Mail first reported that Thomas Flegler and Jordan Riki clashed during the club’s post-season celebrations.

The pair were apparently engaged in an “innocent” wrestling session before Riki began skylarking, angering Flegler.

Riki was left “bloodied” according to the Courier Mail and required stitches.

“We were out last Wednesday night and got in a wrestle that went a little wrong and Jordan ended up with a cut on his face,” Fleger said.

“We went our separate ways that night and I gave him a call the next day to sort it out. It was silly and I apologised.

“We’ve agreed to keep our wrestling sessions to in-season from now on.”

All the Sea Eagle can say about all of this is “its rugby league”. Sometimes the players are not very nice, particularly when they are out relaxing and supposedly having a “nice” time.

A rugby league player is like petrol. In and of himself, relatively harmless. But quite volatile, just add the ignition and wait for the explosion. In this case with a rugby league player the reverse to petrol applies, we already have the flame – ie said player- all you need do to ignite is add alcohol. 

THE SEA EAGLE

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Round 4

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 3 – Recap

Manly Sea Eagles             13

Defeated

Canterbury Bulldogs       12

The Sea Eagle would like to take pay kudos to the 13K spectators that braved monsoonal conditions including sustained periods of torrential rain to take in this Round 3 clash between the 16th placed Manly and perennial bottom feeders aka The Dogs.

Perhaps the extent of the crowd (bearing in mind the atrocious conditions) was the unveiling of the new Bob Fulton Stand and Centre of Excellence. That said, what was dished up by both teams was neither befitting of anything resembling a Bob Fulton type performance, nor were there any signs of excellence on display.

Not surprisingly (and given their obvious limitations), the Dogs adopted a basic style of play befitting the conditions (10 errors). Strangely on the other Manly seemed happy to try and play and expansive style throwing the ball around with gay abandon. Again, and not surprisingly, given this style of play and the prevalent conditions it was a Manly display riddled with (18) errors. From a Manly perspective it was a mistakeathon with some group 1 howlers. Consider this

Minute 0 – sloppy offload by Sean Keppie, resulting in knock-on, gifting Dogs the ball in attacking position

Minute 1 – Haumole Olak’atu adds insult to injury and fails to tidy up a routine kick letting the Dogs in to score.

Minute 4 – routine knock on from Ruebin Garrick with Manly in attack gifting Dogs more ealy possession.

Minute 14 – Cherry Baby fails to find touch from penalty kick

Minute 20 – Keiran Foran knocks on at dummy half – no one is spared!

Minute 22 – Jason Saab drops bomb. This guy is hopeless under the high ball (in defense)

Minute 30 – loose carry by Cherry Baby, frivolous and unsuccessful captain’s challenge

Minute 32 – Ron Jeremy lookalike, Morgan Harper instead of diffusing a standard bomb simply allows the ball to hit him and thus gifting possession back to the Dogs.

Minute 37 – Morgan Harper doubles up the pain throwing a wild pass directly to the Dogs. Young Harper had a shocker and needs to acquaint himself with the reserve grade coach asap

And that was only the first half. The second half was just as bad

Despite these errors Manly were able to prevail 13-12 courtesy of a late Cherry baby field goal, in a surprisingly entertaining game against a plucky Dogs outfit.

The result no doubt a real slap in the face for Dogs Coach Trent Barrett who was returning to the scene (aka Brookvale Oval) of some of his greatest coaching shortcomings.

Whilst the win lifts Manly of the bottom of the premiership ladder, this type of performance will not send shockwaves into the competition heavy weights. Quite frankly, a repeat of such a performance would likely fail to scare the Wests Tigers. All that we can hope for now is that Manly gets a firmer track and gets the chance to show what they can do in more favorable conditions.

Round 4

Manly Sea Eagles            25

Defeated

Canberra Raiders             6

Having already “copped it up the ar$e earlier in the year Ricky’s Raiders travelled to Glen Willow Park, Mudgee hoping to avoid further degradation at the hands of a Manly outfit keen to continue on their winning ways.

In the early stanza it was clear that Manly were not prepared to provide the Raiders with any lube and their penetrating attack via the likes of the usual suspects (Tommy Turbo, Cherry Baby etc) saw them run out to 10 zip lead within 15 minutes courtesy of tries to Garrick and Harper.

Manly appeared to be in full control continuing to probe away at the Raiders and at times were a little unlucky not to extend their lead. Failing to capitalize Manly were left to rue missed opportunities when against the run of play the Raiders hit back with a try to Jack Wighton following a controversial knock-on call against Tommy Turbo. This reduced Manly’s lead to 10-6, a scoreline which was to remain unchanged until oranges.

The second half started with a flurry of errors from both sides and appeared to be headed the same way as Thursday nights Titans v Tigers debacle (ie unwatchable)

Thankfully, Manly finally kicked into gear and in the space of 3 minutes ran in 2 quick tries (to Olakau’latu and Turbo) to ice the game.

This game saw a welcome return to form of the oft maligned Manly captain, Cherry Baby who controlled the play, was sublime with the boot and for fun potted a late field goal. It’s no secret that when Cherry Baby fires Manly usually win, and if the great man can maintain this level of performance Manly will be a force to be reckoned with.

If they are to feature in finals again this year these are the sort of games Manly should be winning, and win they did. The performance was nothing special but moves them to 2 wins from four and with upcoming games against the Knights and Titans further improvement is expected.

WILL SMITH vs CHRIS ROCK

Readers will no doubt be aware that the Academy Awards became the gift that continues to keep giving earlier in the week when Academy Award winner and Hollywood superstar Will Smith elected to invade the stage and land what appeared to be a right cross or perhaps a slap on fellow actor/comedian Chris Rock. This was reminiscent of the Nathan Brown slapping of then St. George player Trent Barrett, the only exception was that this was in front of a worldwide audience. Its also fair to say that neither Will Smith or Chris Rock are DFI infected, non-premiership winning ex-Dragons.

This is the hallmark work of the Director of Controversy. Allegations continue to circulate in rugby league circles that the Director of Controversy has yet again found himself the subject of banning by the feel good woke lefty soft C98ks, who seemingly pervade all aspects of society.

Rumour has it that the Director’s troubles arose when he was ordered to address an audience and he was asked to ensure that his address gave the usual recognition on the traditional owners of a parcel of land somewhere in western Sydney. Unfortunately, the Director of Controversy was not properly briefed and it is rumoured that he referred to the traditional owner of land in NSW as none other than Eddie Obeid. Ouch!

This of course sent the feel good woke lefty soft C98ks into a state of apoplexy. The result was that the NRL integrity unit is now investigating the incident and as is its custom, the Director of Controversy has been stood down whilst those investigations continue.

Of course the great man is in such demand that the organisers of the Academy Awards were quick to snap him up. He was given very simple riding orders namely, make sure this one is something special, that everyone will talk about forever.

The rest of course is history and the Will Smith versus Chris Rock incident will go down in Academy Award infamy as one of the most shameful episodes of all time, albeit one of the most entertaining as well. It was pure rugby league and some of the Director’s finest work.

The Sea Eagle’s personal opinion on this one of course, is that we need to put this under the microscope of common sense.

There is nothing better than seeing two actors go at it hammer and tong, in this case with one of said actors namely Will Smith, forgetting that the parts that he plays are not real. Readers will remember that Will Smith at one point acted in the part of  Muhammad Ali - and who will forget Chris Rock's excellent work as a racially oppressed negro gangster in the late 40s in Kansas City, in the super sensational TV series Fargo.

Unfortunately Will Smith has failed to recognise that he is not Muhammad Ali. A review of his right cross to the face or face slap to Chris Rock, revealed Will Smith leaving himself wide open to a counterpunch. The greatest (i.e Ali) would never have done that.

Thankfully Chris Rock recognised that he wasn't a gangster and did not attempt to send Will Smith through the ropes and into the audience metaphorically speaking. Will Smith was lucky it wasn’t Mickey Rourke (or “The Rock”) he was trying to attack. The result may well have been very different.

Nevertheless, it is clear that the ponytailed woke marketing types in Rugby League Central need to take this opportunity and ensure that Will Smith and Chris Rock are the pre-game entertainment for the 2022 NRL Grand Final and the 2022 Dally M Awards. What could go wrong? As the man on the fat aka Sam Kekovich famously said, you know it makes sense.

CHANNEL 9  FREE TO AIR PROGRAMMING

This has been a bug bear of the Sea Eagle for many a year, but Ch 9 programming in season 2022 seems to have fallen to a new low. Firstly, to the numb skull who thought it a good idea to put the Tigers v Titans on Thursday night – congratulations you have provided the free to air viewing public with possibly the worst game of rugby league in recent living memory.

Not content with this the viewing public then had to sit through the Storm ‘s 44 zip thrashing of last years wooden spooners (ie The Dogs). How the Dogs get a prime-time game beggars belief. Surely a more appealing option would have been the Eels v Dragons, which was surprising consigned to the 6pm slot.

If Ch9 have an agenda to kill of rugby league, then in the Sea Eagles opinion they are going about it the right way with this insipid programming. Whoever is responsible should be sacked immediately and it’s long overdue that Rugby League supremo Peter V’landys step in and fix this debacle before it’s too late.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“There is no greater dickhead than Peter Fitzsimons. Were there an All-Australian team of dickheads, Fitzy would be its captain and its most capped representative. His trophy cabinet would hold the Brownlow, the Coleman and the Norm Smith medals. Gary Ablett Snr would be supplanted as God …… of the dickheads” Joe Aston AFR (hard to argue with this one!) 

THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round  2

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 2

Manly Sea Eagles      12

Defeated by

Sydney Roosters       26

The Friday night SCG feature match saw the 16th placed Manly pitted against the 15th placed Latte Sipping Roosters in a clash of two teams smarting from losses last week. The Roosters were also looking to extract a bit of payback following the 40-zip shellacking they copped in the semi-final at the hands of Manly late last year.

It was the Roosters that showed the early intent, whilst Manly appeared flat and disjointed. Not surprising it was the Roosters that opened the scoring after only 2 minutes when young playmaker Sam Walker strolled through some soft Manly defence to put rookie Drew Hutchinson over.

Minutes later, Daniel Tupou added to Manly’s early woes when found himself on the end of a slick backline play to cross in the corner.

At this point Manly were well and truly on the rack. Manly could not get moving, and the Roosters were running roughshod. With a mountain of possession, mainly as a result of Manly ineptitude, Nat Butcher crossed to extend the Roosters lead to 16-zip, at roughly a point a minute.

The first half performance of Manly was summed up by a Cherry Baby howler on the stroke of half time when he threw a perfect cut out pass finding chest of the touch judge instead of its intended recipient, winger Jason Saab Turbo. From the ensuing set the Roosters duly punished this error and it was now 22-zip.

The Sea Eagle values his time too much to waste it watching the sort of crap that Manly were dishing up in the first half, and promptly switched channels at this point to catch the last half of a re-run of Selling Houses Australia – a far more satisfying experience. Then it was on to the Jack Reacher movie, for an examination of how a true professional goes about his craft.

According to some cohorts of the Sea Eagle who continued to watch, the only thing worse than Manly’s first half performance was Channel 9’s insipid half time interview with Sonny Bill Williams, promoting his upcoming bout with Barry Hall. For all our sakes let’s hope Big Bad Barry puts an end to SBW once and for all.

Relying on news dispatches that the Sea Eagle caught the following day, the Roosters ended up winning 26-12, suggesting that Manly’s second half performance was a lot better than the first. That said, the loss consigns Manly to a 0-2 start to the season and consolidates their 16th position on the premiership ladder.

Manly faces these issues in season 2022 in no particular order:

1.     Their forwards do not intimidate anyone. They try hard but they are ineffective (or UN like – see below) against good packs;

 2.     Father time is running down Cherry Baby and Kieran Foran. They try and hard and they will have some good games here and there, but their best is behind them.

 3.     Tommy Turbo is off the pace. It is not clear why. Perhaps he his battling on with an injury or illness. Whatever the reason, Manly are nothing if he is not at his best. And that is a problem. See point 1 re forwards. See point 2 re Cherry Bay and Kieran Foran.

The return of Josh Schuster and Josh Aloiai at some point will help, but they cannot be the answer, surely?

Where to from here for Manly! Unless Master Coach Des Hasler can work a miracle or two in the next week (when they front the Trent Barrett inspired Dogs), perhaps the only option left is that the entire team be shipped off to the Ukraine, placed into a convoy of fuel-starved Russian tanks and left to their own devices fronting up to an inevitable missile onslaught from Turkish supplied drones, so the team gets a cold hard reality check (personal opinion).

LIFE MEMBERSHIP FOR GLENN STEWART

The Sea Eagle was pleased to learn that one of his favourites, Glenn Stewart was (rightfully) awarded Life Membership of the Manly Club during the off-season. What a player Glenn Stewart was, and Manly could have done with his services against the Roosters this week.

Both creative and tough as a player, a premiership winner, Clive Churchill medal winner and who could ever forget his role in the infamous Brookie Brawl where he took a stand against the Filthy Wrestlers.

Add to this when it was time to go, he readily accepted that he was on the wrong side of 30 and succumbing to injuries that when he was younger may not have happened, and went off for a deserved testimonial year at the Bunnies (where they also belatedly realised that he had these issues). He was then welcomed back with open arms to the Manly nest where he continues, with brother Brett in a mentoring role and is a regular at Manly games.

It’s a pity that his backrower cohort at the time, i.e. Choc Watmough did not have the same attitude. It was well documented that Choc, who was also too old and too injury prone made some unhelpful comments (mainly to himself – personal opinion) when Manly would not re-sign him to a long-term contract when all and sundry (apart from the hapless Eels) could see that his best days had well and truly passed him by. Sadly Choc, a Manly junior and who was also a great servant to the Club left on less than harmonious terms and appears to have severed ties with Manly and is persona non grata since leaving the nest.

The UN is an Unmitigated Joke and a Farce

The world (and if you are an Australian taxpayer, you are paying for these clowns - personal opinion) has been forced to witness imbecility on a grand scale from the UN in recent times. Here is a classic example:

UN General Assembly passes resolution to demand Russia withdraw troops from Ukraine - ABC News Thu 3 Mar 2022

UN adopts resolution calling for withdrawal of Russian forces from Ukraine

The United Nations General Assembly has voted overwhelmingly to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine "in the strongest terms".

Titled "Aggression against Ukraine", the resolution demanded an immediate halt to the offensive and the withdrawal of all Russian troops.

It was backed by 141 of the assembly's 193 members, with five votes against the resolution and 35 abstentions. 

It prompted a standing ovation among delegates who supported the resolution, with Assembly president Abdulla Shahid struggling to read out the result over the long, loud applause which filled the New York chamber.

What does the resolution actually do?

Unlike a Security Council resolution, a General Assembly resolution does not have the potential to become legally binding. 

As the UN puts it, they're "considered to be recommendations".

But it does have strong symbolic value and reflects international opinion.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the resolution sent a message "loud and clear" to Russia. 

"End hostilities in Ukraine now. Silence the guns now," he said. 

"Open the door to dialogue and diplomacy now.

"The territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine must be respected in line with the UN Charter. 

"We don't have a moment to lose."

Sea Eagle Comment

Give or take a few days, this UN non-binding declaration was over 2 weeks ago. Since then, Russia has put the pedal to the metal, and the rest can be seen on the Six O’clock news.

If someone can explain why these clowns waste their time making any sort of recommendation, that has no legal effect, that no one enforces, and that Russia ignores, the Sea Eagle would be grateful to be enlightened.

Meanwhile poor old Ukraine is being flattened out of existence.

If you are looking for the definition of ineffective, or useless, then simply use two letters UN.

One thing is certain, they don’t follow rugby league principles in the UN.

The Sea Eagle recommends for some humour on this, that readers watch the Hans Bwix skit from Team America.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TEvacFETvM

 How do you know that something is true? When a politician denies it.

 THE SEA EAGLE

[theseaeaglelives]

Round 1

THE SEA EAGLE

MAKING RUGBY LEAGUE GREAT AGAIN!!!

Round 1

Manly Sea Eagles    6

Defeated by

Penrith Panthers   28

The odds were well and truly stacked against the PointsBet (PBH.AX) sponsored Manly Sea Eagles in this opening round fixture for season 2022.

Firstly, taking on the reigning premiers can never be a good thing and the Penrith Panthers represent a monumental first up challenge in anyone’s language. Any club looking to get an easy first round kill would be far better matched up against the likes of the Tigers, Dragons, Dogs, Sharks etc.

Secondly, if you do have to take on the reigning premiers you would not want to do it on their home patch. BlueBet (BBT.AX) Stadium aka Penrith Park is a graveyard for visiting teams, especially Manly, and quite frankly who would want to travel out to Penrith at the best of times.

And finally, opening round games have not been kind to Manly of late and they have not managed to win an opening round fixture since 2013.

Considering the above, the Sea Eagle was perplexed to see that the Bookies, including Pointsbet, BlueBet and even the excellent newbie BetRight (BOX.NSX) had Manly posted at 1.80 favourites in opening markets, this prompting an investment from the Manly Contrarian Fund – more on this later.

After an even opening stanza in which play fluctuated from end to end, the Panthers gradually began to assert their authority. Following a mountain of pressure the Panthers opened the scoring in the 17th minute via rookie centre, Izak Tago. The Panthers doubled up soon after when Tago’s centre partner (and rising superstar) Stephen Crichton crossed, the beneficiary of some pretty poor Manly defence.

To some extent Manly were fortunate at this stage to be only down 12 zip as the Panthers had 2 tries (controversially) disallowed on review.

On the stroke of half time, Manly hit back with a fine length of the field try finished off by rookie backrower Ethan Bullemor, this try reminiscent of some of the razzle dazzle stuff they were renowned for last year.

12-6 at oranges was a score line that flattered Manly, but nonetheless they were back in the contest.

Unfortunately, Manly failed to fire in the second half and a combination of poor ball control and defensive mistakes (by Manly) and disciplined ball control and solid defence (from Penrith) saw the reigning premiers run out convincing 28-6 victors – a score line that made a mockery of their outsider status with the Bookies pre-game.

Whilst it is not panic stations yet, Manly will need to improve in many areas to be a serious contender in season 2022. Manly are notoriously slow starters and Master Coach, Des Hasler will have his work cut out to quickly turn around Manly’s fortunes before next week’s clash against the Latte Sipping Roosters, who will also be smarting from their first-round loss to the Knights.

Raging Ricky: ‘It’s the Canberra Raiders copping it up the arse again’ - Newstate Media March 1, 2022

Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart has blown up at the NRL after Jordan Rapana was denied the same suspension loophole the league has now granted Brandon Smith and Reece Walsh.

Stuart had contacted the NRL integrity unit prior to the All Stars match and was told it could not be used to serve a ban for off-field matters.

It meant the club allowed Rapana to play for the Maori side where he then picked up a two-game suspension for a shoulder charge.

Instead, he could have been available for round one under the current rules if Canberra were given the exemption.

Rapana is able to serve the off-field ban and shoulder charge suspension concurrently, so will miss the opening two rounds for the Raiders.

But regardless, Stuart cannot understand why the rules have changed in the space of two weeks.

“It is the Canberra Raiders copping it up the arse again. That is a quote,” Stuart told the Daily Telegraph. “I am in disbelief and disgusted that it always seems to happen to us. We keep on copping it and copping it and it gets to the stage where you are absolutely fed up with it. “I mean, this has been going on for years, we just don’t get listened to. I feel sorry for Andrew [Abdo] who I have the utmost respect for. “But he has to deal with the inadequacies of people making decisions that he has to clean up.

“Andrew has apologised and said, ‘I am sorry, I cannot change the decisions that have been made’.

“He understands the inconsistencies. It is very hard to work in a business with the inconsistencies that the NRL have.

“It is very, very frustrating.”

SEA EAGLE COMMENT

Readers could be excused for thinking “Sticky’s Raiders Cop it up the arse” is the title of some little-known Scandinavian Gay Porn movie. Instead, this is just the latest rant from the Canberra coach who if not for the good fortune of inheriting a (no-doubt) salary cap rorting, star studded Roosters outfit in 2002 would be the heir apparent to the despised evil genius, Brian “DFI” Smith aka Dark Force (personal opinion).

To be honest, while this one was somewhat creative and amusing, Sticky’s rants are become in the main boorish and predictable and surely unless he gets a result this year (ie a Premiership) his days as a top grade NRL coach are numbered (personal opinion).

The Sea Eagle suggests the Raiders investigate a potential sponsorship from a well-known lube supplier if, as Coach Stuart seems to suggest, the Raiders are going to be continually “copping it up the arse again” (personal opinion). It’s also fair to assume that the NRL Integrity matter will kick into action conducting their own invasive probe into Sticky’s comments.

MANLY CONTRARIAN FUND

In these challenging and unpredictable financial times, the MANLY CONTRARIAN FUND remains the one constant for solid investment returns. Already, only one round in, and the Fund has returned a 100% earn with its investment on the Panthers, at the juicy odds of $2.00 with BetRight when they were playing Manly, in Rd 1, at home, as reigning premiers and outsiders!!!.

Readers are warned however that investments in the Manly Contrarian Fund are high risk and investors could lose all their money, so this is not financial or investment advice, but merely an analysis of what happened if you had of taken the plunge and made the investment. As we all know, historical returns are in no way a guarantee of future returns.

With the early success of the Fund the Sea Eagle is also looking to extend his financial tentacles into the Crypto space and investors can look forward in coming weeks to the launch of SeaEagleCoin a new digital currency pegged to the fortunes and ladder position of Manly in season 2022.

Digital tokens have not been ignored either, with the pending launch by Manly or the NRL of NFSET (Non-Fungible Sea Eagle Tokens) where investors have the opportunity to acquire the digital images of the likes of Horhay Taufau, Matt Dunford and David Hosking at fluctuating (let’s hope not rock bottom) prices. The Sea Eagle suggests getting in early on this one and will be only accepting US Dollars from anyone looking to invest.

Anyone trying to offload spare and arguably worthless Russian Roubles should look elsewhere and avoid this space, or try an investment in the soon to be released and potentially implosive PutinCoin.

INTERNATIONAL MAD MONDAY

The Sea Eagle was inspired earlier in the week by the UN sanctioned International Womens Day. This is not an international magazine based on the famous Aussie publication Womans Day. But rather, it is a worthwhile day promoted by the UN to promote all things woman.

The only thing missing was a 24 hour radio playing of the Helen Reddy Classic, I am Woman.

With that said, the Sea Eagle has conducted some analysis on the number of international UN sanctioned days. The list is long, and getting longer. Unless they extend the year beyond 365 days (366 for leap years) there is going to be some doubling up fairly quickly.

Here is the current list:

World Logic Day;  International Day of Education; World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture ;  International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust; International Day of Women and Girls in Science ; World Radio Day ; International Mother Language Day ; World Engineering Day For Sustainable Development;  International Women’s Day; International Day of Mathematics;  International Francophonie Day; World Poetry Day; International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination; International Day of Nowruz;  World Water Day; International Day of Sport for Development and Peace ;World Art Day ; World Book and Copyright Day ; International Jazz Day ; World Press Freedom Day; African World Heritage Day; World Portuguese Language Day ;International Day of Light; International Day of Living Together in Peace; World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development; International Day for Biological Diversity  ; World Environment Day; World Oceans Day ; World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought ;Nelson Mandela International Day ; International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem ; International Day of the World's Indigenous People ; International Youth Day ; International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition; International Literacy Day ;International Day of Democracy ; International Day of University Sport ; International Day of Peace ;International Day for the Universal Access to Information ; World Teachers' Day ;  International Geodiversity Day  ; International Day of the Girl Child ;International Day for Disaster Reduction; International Day for the Eradication of Poverty; United Nations Day ;World Day for Audiovisual Heritage ;International Day Against Violence and Bullying at School, including Cyberbullying  ; International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists; International Day for Biosphere Reserves;   World Day of Romani Language; World Tsunami Awareness Day ;World Science Day for Peace and Development ;World Philosophy Day ;International Day against Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property; International Day for Tolerance ;International Day of Islamic Art  ; International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women; World Olive Tree Day ; International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People;  World AIDS Day ;World Futures Day ; International Day of Persons with Disabilities ; Human Rights Day ; International Migrants Day ; World Arabic Language Day.

  You can form your own view as to whether your taxes are being well spent if this is the sort of stuff the UN can come up with. What is missing clearly however, from the above list, is International Mad Monday.

Simply put, this is a day where the whole world says “F*&ck It” and gets on the booze at the nearest watering hole. It is an anything goes day in terms of selected beverages, starting and finishing times, dress and social activities. But for new participants, looking for guidance on what to do, they should examine how NRL players and clubs have gone about it over many decades.

NRL clubs move to distance themselves from gambling industry – The Guardian 3 March 2022

The NRL’s Canterbury and South Sydney have joined a cohort of sports clubs pledging to refuse money from betting agencies, in a move to distance themselves from the gambling industry.

Rugby league is the fifth code to sign up to the New South Wales government’s Reclaim the Game program, which aims to help fans experience sport without the influence of betting advertising and sponsorship.

Overall, the Australian gambling market was in 2019 estimated to be worth more than $225bn, while online gambling rose sharply during the pandemic.

Our community plays such a big role in our club, and we felt that this is a campaign we can support to reduce community exposure to sports betting advertising,” said Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly.

Bulldogs chief executive, Aaron Warburton, said supporters should be able to attend a match “without the constant advertising from sports betting companies”.

SEA EAGLE COMMENT

This is exactly the sort of dribble you would expect from the Communist Times (aka The Guardian). That said for the Dogs and Bunnies to take this stance reeks of hypocrisy of the highest order. Souths major sponsor is none other than Crown Casino, and the Dogs have always relied on funding from the Canterbury Leagues Clubs, both these organisations deriving virtually all revenue from wagering/gaming activities. Add to this the extensive Product Fees the NRL source from Corporate Bookies which in one way or another find its way into Club revenue and the stance taken by the Dogs, Bunnies and other such clubs represents nothing but hollow virtue signally.

It's fair to say that the Sea Eagle would in no way condone or endorse Corporate Wagering operators and would refrain from any association or advertising in any form!! 

THE SEA EAGLE