gong_eagle
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EXCLUSIVE: Ox backs mates
13 Mar 09 @ 04:30pm by MATT ORFORD
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/bleed-for-our-mate/
KICK-OFF time cant come quick enough for the Sea Eagles in the season opener on Saturday night against a new-look Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
The media-kicking the club has received in the past week will finally end and, on behalf of the team, I can promise one hell of a defence of the title we won at the same ground 19 weeks ago.
As team captain I am calling on all our loyal fans to stick with us.
We are proud to represent the northern beaches and cant forget the wonderful reception and euphoria which surrounded our win last October.
Essentially we are the same group and because of the current circumstances there are things we want to say, but we simply cant.
But I can say that if one of us bleeds, we all bleed.
A private team dinner this week reinforced that and the messages of support for the team have been uplifting.
Steve Bell phoned from France to offer his support and former great Graham Eadie wanted it known that he was 100 per cent behind the team and the player who wont be with us in the number one jersey tonight.
Brett Stewart will get his day in court and that is the right of every Australian.
He knows we are right alongside him in this tough journey ahead.
It has been a difficult time for the entire club, but tonight we get to do what we do best - play football.
We are back in our office and it is going to take a very committed side to match us.
It will be good to have one of the senior team leaders in Brent Kite back in the engine room after missing the trip to England for the World Club Challenge.
And watch for our new players in Chris Bailey and Shane Rodney make their mark after great debuts in England.
It has been an honour to lead Manly since Ben Kennedy departed and it remains a highlight for me every time we run onto the field.
We have been slammed as a group in recent days and it has been a strange feeling because a few months ago we were seen as the benchmark in football on and off the field for all codes.
We have learned very quickly who our friends are and I must say the emails of support from fans has given some sunshine in a cloudy week.
Turn out at ANZ in numbers and at Brookie from next weekend.
Its time to stick ... not run and hide.
13 Mar 09 @ 04:30pm by MATT ORFORD
http://manly-daily.whereilive.com.au/sport/story/bleed-for-our-mate/
KICK-OFF time cant come quick enough for the Sea Eagles in the season opener on Saturday night against a new-look Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium.
The media-kicking the club has received in the past week will finally end and, on behalf of the team, I can promise one hell of a defence of the title we won at the same ground 19 weeks ago.
As team captain I am calling on all our loyal fans to stick with us.
We are proud to represent the northern beaches and cant forget the wonderful reception and euphoria which surrounded our win last October.
Essentially we are the same group and because of the current circumstances there are things we want to say, but we simply cant.
But I can say that if one of us bleeds, we all bleed.
A private team dinner this week reinforced that and the messages of support for the team have been uplifting.
Steve Bell phoned from France to offer his support and former great Graham Eadie wanted it known that he was 100 per cent behind the team and the player who wont be with us in the number one jersey tonight.
Brett Stewart will get his day in court and that is the right of every Australian.
He knows we are right alongside him in this tough journey ahead.
It has been a difficult time for the entire club, but tonight we get to do what we do best - play football.
We are back in our office and it is going to take a very committed side to match us.
It will be good to have one of the senior team leaders in Brent Kite back in the engine room after missing the trip to England for the World Club Challenge.
And watch for our new players in Chris Bailey and Shane Rodney make their mark after great debuts in England.
It has been an honour to lead Manly since Ben Kennedy departed and it remains a highlight for me every time we run onto the field.
We have been slammed as a group in recent days and it has been a strange feeling because a few months ago we were seen as the benchmark in football on and off the field for all codes.
We have learned very quickly who our friends are and I must say the emails of support from fans has given some sunshine in a cloudy week.
Turn out at ANZ in numbers and at Brookie from next weekend.
Its time to stick ... not run and hide.
I wish I could be there to support the lads! 
