No love lost between two proud clubs

[gong_eagle]

No love lost between two proud clubs

John Greco

28Jul07

IT'S become one of the fiercest rivalries in rugby league.

Ever since Manly Warringah and the Parramatta Eels entered the competition together back in 1947, they have been fueding for almost the entire 60 years.

The hatred hit its peak in the 1970s and 80s when the sides had some epic battles and met in three grand finals.

The clubs have also had a number of players switch between the two over the years with Jamie Lyon the latest to change sides and the most controversial of the lot.

They are all ingredients to what's been an interesting storyline so far - with another intruiging new chapter set to be added at Parramatta Stadium tomorrow afternoon.

``Those games in the late 70s were what started it . . . it's just a great rivalry,'' Sea Eagles lock Luke Williamson said.

``No matter what's going on it's always a massive game.

``They are two quality clubs who have been consistently top sides over a long period of time.''

Manly centre Steve Bell added: ``Both teams enjoy playing against each other and there's a lot of feeling.

``It's never an easy game and Sunday will be no different.''

Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald has been at the centre of a number of the stoushes between the two clubs over the years but stopped short of saying he ``hates'' Manly.

``That's probably too strong a word,'' he told the Daily.

``There's just a lot of competitive spirit between us.''

Parramatta halfback Tim Smith told the Daily the rivalry between the two clubs was good for the game.

``We're two teams that have got a bit of mongrel against each other,'' he admitted.

``I don't think there's anything wrong with that.''

Neither do we.

 

[gong_eagle]

Eagles see danger in Eels' No 7

John Greco

28Jul07

BRASH Parramatta halfback Tim Smith has fired an ominous warning to the Sea Eagles declaring he's currently in the best form of his career.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow's blockbuster between the two clubs at Parramatta stadium, the 22-year-old believes he is now a much more mature player then the one who burst onto the scene in 2005.

Back then Smith was a youngster that exuded confidence, guiding the Eels to within one game of the Grand Final, but also likely to contribute a few silly errors.

After enduring the dreaded ``second-year syndrome'' in 2006 the Gold Coast-born half now believes he is much more comfortable at NRL level.

``I'm just a lot more consistent,'' Smith told the Daily.

``My kicking game is going well and my defence is a lot better. I think I'm playing better at the moment than I did in 2005. I feel a lot more settled. Me and Finchy (Brett Finch) have got a good combination going. We're in the groove.''

Sea Eagles interchange forward Jack Afamasaga, who saw the talented No 7 close up during his time at the Eels, said Smith was the danger man tomorrow afternoon.

``He's an awesome player,'' the 105kg back-rower said. ``He's developed a good passing game and likes to create things. We'll have to watch him.''

But lock Luke Williamson said the Sea Eagles didn't need any special game plan to shut down the Queenslander.

``He sets up a lot of there play but we just have to concentrate on our own game,'' he said. ``If we cut off his options and stay organised he won't have a big impact.''

Smith, who admitted the Eels haven't given up hope of catching the Sea Eagles for second spot, said he admired the way Manly played.

``They don't go too far outside the square,'' he said. ``They just do the little things right, complete well and work hard for each other.'' Manly have not won at Parramatta Stadium since an 18-8 victory on April 12, 1997.

 

[gong_eagle]

Sea Eagles ready to rock Eels' fortress

Greg Prichard | July 28, 2007

THE BIG MATCH

All but a few of the Manly players named for tomorrow's game against Parramatta were still at school the last time the Sea Eagles beat the Eels at Parramatta Stadium. But one member of the current side played in that winning team, in 1997. He was actually into his fifth year of first grade by then. You can guess who it is - Steve Menzies.

"I didn't think it was that long since we've won there," Menzies said yesterday, before adding: "I can't really remember the game. I've played a lot of them, so it's tough on the memory when it's that long ago."

Manly won the game 18-8, after leading 8-4 at half-time. Among the others playing for the Sea Eagles that day were Geoff Toovey, at five-eighth, halfback Craig Field, hooker Scott Fulton and prop Mark Carroll. John Hopoate played in the second-row, and Cliff Lyons came off the bench. No current Parramatta players played in the beaten Eels side.

Parramatta have won six out of six at home against Manly since then, and it is the home-ground advantage that justifies them being favourites in this latest clash. But they are not overwhelming favourites - far from it. The Sea Eagles are second on the ladder with the Eels third, and it promises to be a compelling battle.

Menzies, who has mostly started from the bench since returning from a groin injury and will do so again tomorrow before joining in at lock or second-row, is looking forward to the big-match atmosphere.

"You can feel the rivalry between the two clubs even when neither of us is doing that well, but now, when we're both up near the top, the rivalry will be at its best," he said. "There'll be a big crowd, the Parra fans will want to give it to [Manly five-eighth] Jamie Lyon when he goes back to the ground for the first time. It's going to be a massive day.

"All of the hype will be good for the younger guys in our team who haven't played much finals footy, because it's going to tell them what it's going to be like when the finals are on. A game like this is going to be as close as you can get to finals footy without it actually being the finals."

Manly beat the Eels 22-12 at Brookvale Oval in round nine. Menzies realises it's going to be more difficult this time, playing away, but says there is good reason for Manly to believe they can break the 10-year drought.

"Parra have got a great record [7-2] at home this season, but we're 5-3 away from home, and that's a pretty good record on the road," he said. "It's tough to win away, and we had a hard game on the road last week [beating Cronulla 29-22], but we've proved we're good enough to get a decent share of wins away.

"You can't get carried away about your chances in a game like this, because Parra will be very hard to beat, but you've got to back your own ability, and I believe that if we go out and play the way we've been playing, then we're a 50-50 chance."

Unless the weather is bad, there will be no excuse for fans not to pack Parramatta Stadium for this game. The Eels could cement a top-four spot if they win - particularly if the fourth-placed Cowboys lose to Wests Tigers on Monday night - which would give the Eels a four-point buffer.

 

[effnic]

Eagles see geniusation in Eels' No 7



Back then Smith was a youngster that exuded confidence, guiding the Eels to within one game of the Grand Final, then choking horribly.



After enduring the dreaded ``second-year downsyndrome'' in 2006



``I'm just a lot more inconsistent,'' Smith told the Daily.



``My kicking game is going and my defence is sh*t. I think I'm playing better at the moment than I did in 2005. I feel a lot more settled. Me and Finchy (Brett Finch) have got a good homosexual feel about eachother. We're in the groove.''


But lock Luke Williamson is special

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Fixed all the typo's.