AS reigning premiers and current world club champions the Manly Sea Eagles have more than their share of stars and cult figure players but unfashionable George Rose is now giving them all a run for their money.
Rose has emerged from almost oblivion in the past two months to not only resurrect his own career but to play a role in Manlys charge to the finals.
The hard-to-please media and more importantly the fans love big George - all 115kg of him.
Getting the big fella into the skin-tight micro jerseys of the modern game is an exercise only surpassed by the after-match operation by back-up staff to get him out of it.
Rose has six weeks to satisfy a lifelong dream to play in a finals series and in that time he wants to prepare for more match time in his role off the bench.
I want to do more for the team and if I can prove I can handle more time on the field then thats a bonus, Rose said.
To date this season Rose averages 32 minutes a game with 25 mins, 44 mins, 24 mins and 30 mins his contribution over the past month.
Rose plays every game with a smile and with a mouthguard proudly displaying the colours of his indigenous heritage.
In recent weeks big George has powered over for tries in three consecutive matches using his big frame and strength to advantage.
The attributes that make Rose a special player are his size, strength and skill.
He has the X-factor in that he can power over for a try from close range using sheer brute strength or send a teammate pouring through gap with a skilful pass under pressure.
Rose has come to Manly via the Panthers and the Roosters in the NRL.
Neither club could get the best out of the Bathurst junior but he has started to really find his form under Des Hasler at Manly.
Hasler has persevered when others gave up. There have been no attempts to make Rose a chiselled Adonis.
It has been more a pattern of finding his best playing weight and sticking close to it with the end results remarkable.
Rose is a classic example for young players to stick at it no matter what the odds. In 2007 his career looked over when he suffered a shocking compound fracture of the leg against the Melbourne Storm at Brookvale.
I can still see the look of horror on his greatest supporters face - his mother - as he was helped from the ground. Nice to see mother and son are smiling again.
THE Sea Eagles have managed to escape the dreaded swine flu this season but it has knocked over club legend Steve Menzies in England.
Beaver was taken from Wales back to Bradford on the reserves team bus after falling ill before a Super League game against former team mate Mark Bryant at Brigend against Celtic.
The 36-year-old is recovering well after being isolated from the rest of the team for four days and is expected to play this weekend.
Menzies will be joined at the Bradford Bulls next season by last seasons grand final team mates Glenn Hall and Heath LEstrange.
HAPPY birthday for Sunday to Manlys first-ever captain Max Whitehead, he turns 87.
After a recent health scare Max is back in good spirits and even attended a field session for the Sea Eagles at Narrabeen on Friday.
It has been a real buzz for Matt Orford and his team to have Whitehead at matches this season and at training.
Max is a treasure for the Manly club and we love having him still supporting the club, Orford said.
The players signed a birthday card for the club legend.
BRETT Stewarts return to running this week was met with a barrage of media interest as the injured fullback star continues his bid to be back in action before the finals series.
Stewart is quietly determined to make it back and hasnt given up hope of reaching the magical 100 tries before the end of the premiership rounds.
He currently sits at an unbelievable 97 tries from 114 games in the NRL, a strike rate which has never been matched in the history of the game.
His five tries from two appearances this season are stuck in the memory of Manly fans counting down the days to his return.
