Tim Mannah will finish his career just like he started it, with a grand final appearance at the only club he has ever known.
A fresh-faced Mannah made the decider in his debut NRL season in 2009, the start of a long association with Parramatta. It will continue after he retires following his final game, in the Canterbury Cup grand final for feeder club Wentworthville against Newtown on Sunday.
The 31-year-old has accepted an off-field role in the Eels head office, extending a 17-year association with the blue and golds.
Tim Mannah may be retiring, but he will remain involved with the Eels.CREDIT:AAP
Mannah had hoped his final game would be a NRL grand final rather than a reserve-grade one, but has few regrets about a rollercoaster ride that has included a decider against a Storm side that wasn’t cap compliant, Parramatta’s own salary-cap scandal and the chance to play with and against his late brother, Jon.
“I went through five or six coaches, five or six different CEOs, three or four different boards,” Mannah reflected.
“For a while it was just a turnstile, we had a lot of instability.
“It’s come a long way, the club, and I’m grateful I can call it home regardless of all the crazy times. It’s always been a club I’ve been proud to be a part of.
“The last couple of months I’ve had a chance to look back. I wouldn’t change a thing. To be able to call that one club a home for so long is something that means a lot to me.
“I’ve been involved at the club for 17 years and played 11 years of first grade at a club I’ve been passionate about, it’s given me a real leg up in life.
“Staying there post football is something really special and I’m looking forward to the next chapter.”
Mannah made 233 first-grade appearances, the last of them in round 11. The former NSW prop was first demoted to the bench and then to reserve grade, a move that almost prompted a mid-season switch to Wests Tigers. It was a difficult time for the long-time club captain, although in hindsight he believes things worked out for the best.
“It has always been at the forefront of my mind that I wanted to be a one-club player,” he said.
“My character is something that is a big part of my life and I wanted to make sure my integrity is something I could take with me after my career.”
Mannah believes the Eels are on the way up. After last year’s wooden spoon, they progressed to the second week of the playoffs and have the best home ground in Australian in the form of Bankwest Stadium.
“I really wish them the best and hope they have a lot of success moving forward,” he said.
“The game wants Parramatta to go well.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/retiring-mannah-won-t-be-lost-to-the-eels-20190928-p52vs7.html
