Harold Bishop Killer
Got bummed around Aus
From Sydney Morning Hearld
THE day has come at last. A hundred years after rugby league began, the two best teams of 2008 - and 2007, for that matter - are set for battle.
Two cities have a stake in the hostilities between foes whose histories could not be more different.
The Manly Sea Eagles, who entered the competition in 1947, have won six premierships, the last in 1996. The Melbourne Storm, comparative newcomers after a 1998 debut, have claimed two titles, including last year.
The Sea Eagles are desperate to avenge that thumping, 34-8, and to a man they want to do it for "Beaver" - inspirational second-rower Steve Menzies, who is England-bound to play out his career.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tips a Storm victory but only because "half the players come from Queensland". Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, a Sydney Roosters man, is behind the Sea Eagles. Join the club.
Sydney's northern beaches are awash with maroon and white - and not even a drenching on Manly beach yesterday could dampen the spirit.
"It's just rain, not an omen," said Julia Reynolds, whose whippet Archie was dressed in a Manly jersey.
"It's our turn this year and the team is ready. Archie was born in Melbourne but he's a Manly dog now. We'll be watching it on the telly together."
Deb Kasnar reckons more people in Manly are behind their team this year than last.
"Every third car you see has Manly flags on it. Down at The Corso, a lot more shops have Manly colours and decorations," she said. Her children Ella, 8, and Noah, 5, helped deck the family home in Manly colours.
"People here really think we can win it. We've got eight Manly flags out the front of our house, the cars are all decorated, there are posters everywhere. We love it," Mrs Kasnar said.
"We have three generations in our family who go to the football. I read somewhere Manly are the boring team but they're a good bunch of guys. They don't get into any trouble. That doesn't make them boring. It means we should look up to them."
Manly Council worker Gary Cullen, keeping the streets clean yesterday in his Manly jersey, declared: "'Manly are peaking at the right time this year. But Melbourne are like a wounded lion and will fight to the death."
Today's match will kick off at 5.15pm, a partial return towards the traditional afternoon game and a more family-friendly time than the night grand finals held since 2001.
Amanda Forrest, 20, from Manly Vale is delighted. "It's a bit of a return to tradition and better for families with kids," she said.
Ben Young flew down from the Gold Coast to support his home town team.
"I got an eagle tattoo on my shoulder for last year's grand final so I hope it comes good this year," he said.
Ben Hoey, 5, of Trangie, in far western NSW, declared: "Manly are the best."
Ben and his dad Andrew flew in for the match. Mr Hoey's fruit shop is covered in Manly flags.
Few people have more maroon-and-white blood flowing through their veins than Manly great Ken Arthurson.
He played in Manly's first grand final, against Souths, in 1951, coached their next two premiership deciders later that same decade and became a club official in 1961, remaining on the board until 2004. He ruled with an iron fist the Australian Rugby League for 14 years and has been at every Manly grand final since their first, all 17 of them … until now.
"I would do anything to be there," said Arthurson, who turned 79 last week.
"But I can't do it. I had a hip operation about four weeks ago and I cannot get on a plane. I'm up on the Gold Coast now. I miss Sydney and I miss Manly."
He predicted a Manly victory .
"If Manly do win, no-one will deserve it more than Steve Menzies," he said.
"If the NRL was full of blokes like Steve Menzies, the sky would be the limit for the game. He is just a decent, unassuming human being."
Of course, back-to-back grand final appearances is not enough to win over the legions of Sydneysiders who hate Manly because, well, they can.
Manly Mayor Jean Hay said Sydney hated Manly purely out of jealousy and she is well qualified to know - Arthurson is her brother.
"Ken got a good team together in the 1970s and we won in 1972 and '73.
That was the start of it. It was jealousy.
"The 2008 team is just fantastic and have an air of confidence about them. They are playing so much better than last year and they truly believe they will win."
Comedian and Manly fan Wendy Harmer is in no doubt today's decider will be a Sydney-Melbourne battle.
"Down there they are moaning and groaning it is a conspiracy that captain Cameron Smith is suspended. They should learn a bit of sportsmanship and that you don't have to do turkey wings or grapple-tackles.
"Look at Steve Menzies - he is the embodiment of sportsmanship. He plays hard and plays fair and tackles around the ankles, not the head."
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THE day has come at last. A hundred years after rugby league began, the two best teams of 2008 - and 2007, for that matter - are set for battle.
Two cities have a stake in the hostilities between foes whose histories could not be more different.
The Manly Sea Eagles, who entered the competition in 1947, have won six premierships, the last in 1996. The Melbourne Storm, comparative newcomers after a 1998 debut, have claimed two titles, including last year.
The Sea Eagles are desperate to avenge that thumping, 34-8, and to a man they want to do it for "Beaver" - inspirational second-rower Steve Menzies, who is England-bound to play out his career.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tips a Storm victory but only because "half the players come from Queensland". Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull, a Sydney Roosters man, is behind the Sea Eagles. Join the club.
Sydney's northern beaches are awash with maroon and white - and not even a drenching on Manly beach yesterday could dampen the spirit.
"It's just rain, not an omen," said Julia Reynolds, whose whippet Archie was dressed in a Manly jersey.
"It's our turn this year and the team is ready. Archie was born in Melbourne but he's a Manly dog now. We'll be watching it on the telly together."
Deb Kasnar reckons more people in Manly are behind their team this year than last.
"Every third car you see has Manly flags on it. Down at The Corso, a lot more shops have Manly colours and decorations," she said. Her children Ella, 8, and Noah, 5, helped deck the family home in Manly colours.
"People here really think we can win it. We've got eight Manly flags out the front of our house, the cars are all decorated, there are posters everywhere. We love it," Mrs Kasnar said.
"We have three generations in our family who go to the football. I read somewhere Manly are the boring team but they're a good bunch of guys. They don't get into any trouble. That doesn't make them boring. It means we should look up to them."
Manly Council worker Gary Cullen, keeping the streets clean yesterday in his Manly jersey, declared: "'Manly are peaking at the right time this year. But Melbourne are like a wounded lion and will fight to the death."
Today's match will kick off at 5.15pm, a partial return towards the traditional afternoon game and a more family-friendly time than the night grand finals held since 2001.
Amanda Forrest, 20, from Manly Vale is delighted. "It's a bit of a return to tradition and better for families with kids," she said.
Ben Young flew down from the Gold Coast to support his home town team.
"I got an eagle tattoo on my shoulder for last year's grand final so I hope it comes good this year," he said.
Ben Hoey, 5, of Trangie, in far western NSW, declared: "Manly are the best."
Ben and his dad Andrew flew in for the match. Mr Hoey's fruit shop is covered in Manly flags.
Few people have more maroon-and-white blood flowing through their veins than Manly great Ken Arthurson.
He played in Manly's first grand final, against Souths, in 1951, coached their next two premiership deciders later that same decade and became a club official in 1961, remaining on the board until 2004. He ruled with an iron fist the Australian Rugby League for 14 years and has been at every Manly grand final since their first, all 17 of them … until now.
"I would do anything to be there," said Arthurson, who turned 79 last week.
"But I can't do it. I had a hip operation about four weeks ago and I cannot get on a plane. I'm up on the Gold Coast now. I miss Sydney and I miss Manly."
He predicted a Manly victory .
"If Manly do win, no-one will deserve it more than Steve Menzies," he said.
"If the NRL was full of blokes like Steve Menzies, the sky would be the limit for the game. He is just a decent, unassuming human being."
Of course, back-to-back grand final appearances is not enough to win over the legions of Sydneysiders who hate Manly because, well, they can.
Manly Mayor Jean Hay said Sydney hated Manly purely out of jealousy and she is well qualified to know - Arthurson is her brother.
"Ken got a good team together in the 1970s and we won in 1972 and '73.
That was the start of it. It was jealousy.
"The 2008 team is just fantastic and have an air of confidence about them. They are playing so much better than last year and they truly believe they will win."
Comedian and Manly fan Wendy Harmer is in no doubt today's decider will be a Sydney-Melbourne battle.
"Down there they are moaning and groaning it is a conspiracy that captain Cameron Smith is suspended. They should learn a bit of sportsmanship and that you don't have to do turkey wings or grapple-tackles.
"Look at Steve Menzies - he is the embodiment of sportsmanship. He plays hard and plays fair and tackles around the ankles, not the head."
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