We today continue ‘Our Proud History’ series as part of our 70th Year Anniversary. The Sea Eagles were granted entry to the 1947 NSWRL first grade competition on November 4, 1946.
What do former Manly backs Gordon Willoughby, Max Brown, and Danny Moore share in common?
All three players scored a hat-trick of tries for the Sea Eagles on this day, April 22, in three different matches.
The first hat-trick was achieved by winger Willoughby in the 34-13 win over Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval in round four of the 1950 season. Willoughby scored seven tries in all that season.
Winger Brown got his hat-trick in Manly’s 22-13 win over Eastern Suburbs at Brookvale Oval in round five of the 1973 season. Bob Fulton and Ken Irvine also crossed for tries for Manly with Ray Branighan kicking three goals and Fulton a field goal.
A strong, running centre, Moore crossed for his hat-trick at Willows Sports Complex in Townsville when Manly thumped Nth Queensland Cowboys 36-14 in round seven of the 1995 competition.
John Hopoate, Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies also crossed for Manly in the win with full-back Matthew Ridge kicking six goals from six attempts.
The Bob Fulton coached Manly would later finish the season as runners-up after going down to Canterbury in the grand final at the Sydney Football Stadium.
Manly’s match record on April 22
Played 8: Won 7, lost 1
Rd 4, 1950: Manly 34 d Canterbury-Bankstown 13, Brookvale Oval.
Rd 3, 1957: St George 35 d Manly 12, Sydney Cricket Ground.
Rd 5, 1973: Manly 22 d Eastern Suburbs 13, Brookvale Oval.
Rd 5, 1979: North Sydney 20 d Manly 17, Brookvale Oval.
Rd 7, 1984: Manly 16 d South Sydney 8, Redfern Oval.
Rd 6, 1990: Manly 18 d Western Suburbs 4, Campbelltown Stadium.
Rd 7, 1995: Manly 36 d Nth Qld 14, Willows Sports Complex.
Rd 6, 2007: Manly 20 d Gold Coast 6, Brookvale Oval.
Rd 7, 2011: Manly 22 d Penrith 16, Brookvale Oval.
