Some great yarns and memories were shared at the fifth Golden Eagles Barbecue at Manly Warringah Sea Eagles training today.
The concept of the Golden Eagles Barbecue sees some former players from different positions join the current Manly players and coaching staff for lunch the day before a game as part of the Sea Eagles Legacy Group through our Eagle Hearts program.
Each former player's achievements at Manly are presented to the current Sea Eagles team along with the presentation of a Golden Eagles t-shirt.
Today's special guests saw a mix of halves and hookers with Alan Thompson, Martin Meredith, Mal Cochrane, David O'Donnell, Brett Fulton, and Nathan Hollingsworth attending ahead of tomorrow's away game against old rivals Cronulla.
The club received apologies from Des Hasler, Geoff Toovey, Phil Blake, Matt Orford, Terence SeuSeu and Heath Le'Strange among many others who were unable to make it.
Former players to have attended previous barbecues include Mike Eden, Brett Stewart, Ian Thomson, David Gillespie, Solomon Haumono, Jason King, David Ronson, Steve Menzies, Anthony Watmough and Matt Dunford to name a few.
Alan Thompson #221
A two-time premiership winning five-eighth, Thompson played 263 first grade games for Manly from 1973-84, winning premierships in 1976 and 1978. A local junior from the Narrabeen Club, Thompson was the Dally M Captain of the Year in 1983 where also he won the club's Best and Fairest award.
An Australian Test player, 'Thommo' coached the Sea Eagles first grade team in 1989. He has been a director of the MWRLFC since 2018.
Martin Meredith #266
A talented utility player, Meredith played 48 first grade games for the Sea Eagles from 1977–87. With the ability to play five-eighth and centre, Meredith scored 48 tries for Manly and played in the club's 1977 Reserve Grade Grand Final.
He was also a long serving MWSE Development Officer, NSWRL Development Manager, and a Affiliated States Manager.
Mal Cochrane #299
A crafty and hard-working hooker, Cochrane played 115 games for the Sea Eagles from 1983–90. Cochrane won the 1986 Rothmans Medal and was the Dally M Hooker of the Year in 1986-87.
Cochrane played in Manly's 1987 Grand Final winning team over Canberra and in the '87 World Club Challenge.
David O'Donnell #360
A Manly junior from the Cromer Kingfishers Club, O'Donnell played 81 first grade games for the Sea Eagles from 1989–1994. The tough, hard-working hooker came through the Manly junior representative ranks before making his first grade debut in 1989. A MWRLFC Director since 2017, O'Donnell works as the Sea Eagles Pathways & Women's Program Manager.
Brett Fulton #407
A hooker, Brett Fulton played two first grade games for the Sea Eagles in 1994. The Manly junior was also the ball boy for the Sea Eagles in their 1987 premiership winning season. Fulton has coached Manly's SG Ball team for the past seven years.
Nathan Hollingsworth #483
A smart hooker, Hollingsworth made his first grade debut for Manly in 2004. Nicknamed 'Scoot', Hollingsworth played 11 games for Manly from 2004-2005.
