It seems Tommy would rather see Manly win....
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22482382-5001021,00.html
Tommy turns tide on Sea Eagles
September 26, 2007 12:00am
RUGBY league's original "fibro" Tommy Raudonikis yesterday ended a 29-year feud with the Sea Eagles when he declared he would support Manly in this weekend's NRL Grand Final.
The man at the centre of the "Silvertail-Fibro" war that has raged between Manly and Wests since 1978 last night called on Sydney to get behind the team he admitted to "hating" with a passion.
"I'm right behind them and I think Sydney should be too," Raudonikis said.
"We don't want the trophy going to Melbourne. I think we all should be supporting the Sea Eagles."
The Magpie legend's stunning admission all but ends Manly's reign as the NRL's most hated club. Manly have long been regarded as the team everyone loves to hate, with a common expression among league fans being "I support two teams, mine and whoever plays the Sea Eagles".
Former Wests coach Roy Masters famously branded the Sea Eagles "the Silvertails" and Wests the "Fibros" in reference to the wealth divide between the Northern Beaches and Sydney's inner west in the late '70's.
His comments helped spark a wave of hatred of the Sea Eagles, who later poached some of the Magpies' best players.
Raudonikis, who played for the Magpies between 1969 and 1979, said the Sea Eagles were no longer the "Silvertails" of the NRL.
"I don't think they are the Silvertails any more," he said.
"I really used to despise them, I hated them with a passion, but they have really lost that tag a bit.
"They still live by the sea and the waves but I think overall they are no longer up themselves. They don't walk around with that air of arrogance and I don't think they stink any more."
Raudonikis credited Manly coach Des Hasler for the club's remarkable turnaround.
"I think Des has to take credit. He is the classic battler himself and he has helped them lose that tag," Raudonikis said.
Manly CEO Grant Mayer was last night stunned to hear Raudonikis would be supporting the Sea Eagles on Sunday.
"I'm sure it is a bitter pill for many to support the Eagles but it is great to see," Mayer said.
"I can't believe Tommy is supporting us but we will take it.
"I think the history and hatred of Manly has been put aside - mainly because I think the Victorians are hated even more.
"We are the first Sydney side in two seasons to make the Grand Final and I think all Sydneysiders want to make sure the NRL trophy stays in Sydney."
For the record, Raudonikis has declared the Roosters the new NRL Silvertails.
"I think they have taken it over for sure," he said.
"They are the new Silvertails. Blokes like Braith Anasta and all them have taken that title over from Manly."
