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Jason Avedissian
3 June 2008
Mark Broadhurst And Steve Bowden Trade Blows In The Notorious 1981 Semi Final.
The bloody brawl still plaguing Manly 27 years later
A VIDEO clip of a rugby league brawl between Manly and the Newtown Jets in their semi-final clash in 1981 has re-emerged to haunt the club, forcing the resignation of a junior league official and the launch of an investigation yesterday.
In a bizarre turn of events, the violent clip was emailed to more than 30 members of the junior league by Manly Cove Rugby League registrar and committee member Doug Armstrong with the following tag:
"All Cove player(s) are required to watch this video to see how the Manly Sea Eagles set an example to the future generation of footy players."
The 94-second video shows an ugly fight involving former rugby league stars Max Krilich, Tommy Raudonikis, Les Boyd, Mark Broadhurst, Steve Bowden and Phil Gould during the opening of the game held more than 27 years ago.
Manly-Warringah Junior Rugby League president Peter O'Dwyer demanded a full investigation, suspending the Manly Cove club immediately.
When asked for an explanation yesterday, Mr Armstrong told The Manly Daily he had resigned.
"Satirical humour would be the best way to explain it, nothing more," he said. "There was no malice in it. It was sent out with the confidence it would remain within the confines of the Manly Cove messaging system. But it's gone to the next level and I'm willing to fall on my sword."
The email has infuriated Manly CEO Grant Mayer, who says it has defamed the Sea Eagles.
"It defames us as a club and our approach to junior rugby league development," he said last night. "We take junior development very seriously. To say that this is how we set an example is an absolute disgrace.
"I hope for the kids' sakes that a mistake by an official doesn't cost them the chance to play this weekend."
Mr O'Dwyer will meet with Manly Cove today to review the suspension of the club, which could result in hundreds of players missing out on a game this weekend.
"The club has been temporarily suspended," he said.
"They won't be able to play if anything else is proven. I have rung the club and told them we want a full investigation into this to find out what happened.
"It's not in the best interest of anybody."
The Sea Eagles were yesterday considering their legal options before Mr Armstrong resigned.
Former Manly and Australian captain Max Krilich, who played in the 1981 match, described the email as "just sheer stupidity".
"The game is nothing like that now," he said. "Things like that happened in those days. I don't know what he's talking about."
NRL boss David Gallop said the email was "completely inappropriate".
"It's not where the modern game is," he said.
* Rugby League rumble: Click here to watch the video.
From http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23803695-5001021,00.html?from=public_rss and http://www.manlydaily.com.au/article/2008/06/03/10418_news.html
