Trent Barrett and John Cartwright found Brookvale Oval a daunting ground to play at. In 2016, they want the same experience again.
“Brookie was always an intimidating place to come. I didn’t win too many games there. When I was at the Dragons, we always had very tough games here,’’ said Barrett, the new Sea Eagles Head Coach.
“It was certainly something that we always envied. We always wondered what it was or what was so special about Manly that they were so hard to beat there.
“That is something I don’t want to lose. The ground is really important to the club. We need to win all of our home games at the Fortress.”
Cartwright, the Sea Eagles’ Assistant Coach, is glad to be on the right side of the fence at Brookvale Oval in 2016.
“As a player, I use to love playing there because it was always a great atmosphere,’’ he said.
“I remember sitting in the visiting team’s dressing shed after a loss at Brookie and you could hear the Manly side singing their team song.
“As a coach, you always knew when you arrived at ‘The Fortress’. It was such a 'daunting experience'. The Manly Members are always very vocal and they certainly tell you what they think.
"As a home team, that’s what you want. As a Member, you want to see the players giving it their best.
“The Members create the great atmosphere. You get a win, the Members go home happy and the players walk off happy.
“Even as a visiting coach, I would install into my players that Brookie is such a great place to play at.”
Manly winger Jorge Taufua said other teams fear Brookvale Oval.
“The fact that no other team likes coming to Brookie makes it even better for us. They hate playing us there,’’ Taufua said.
“Our Members really make it hard for them and are so vocal, we thrive off that. It would be great to see the club reach its target of 15,000 Members for 2016. We are almost halfway there, so if you are not a Member, become one now.”
Supporters wishing to become a 2016 Member have until 5pm Friday, November 20, to join or renew their Membership if they want to receive their Membership pack in time for Christmas.
All Membership packs are branded with the exclusive 70th Year Anniversary logo.
Secure your Sea Eagles 2016 Membership here!
