The 75 series: Graham Eadie

With the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles celebrating its 75th year in 2021, we take a look at some of the greatest players to wear the maroon and white jersey.

Today's feature player in the '75 series' is champion full-back Graham Eadie, who  holds the record for most points (1917) for the club.

Graham Eadie (#206)

Graham Eadie, Australia's Test fullback after Graeme Langlands, played 237 first-grade games for Manly, and 12 Tests and eight World Series matches for Australia. He played his first Test on his first Kangaroo tour, in the second Test of 1973, when captain-coach Langlands was out injured, performing superbly and kicking five goals to help Australia to a 14–6 win that squared the series. He was again the fullback for the third Test at Warrington, which the Kangaroos won 15–5.

Eadie played one Test against Great Britain at home in 1974, the same year he won the Rothmans Medal, and when the great Langlands retired from representative football the following year, the Sea Eagles fullback was a natural to take over. He remained first choice until 1979, starring in Australia's Ashes victories in 1978 and 1979.

Eadie was a massive contributor to Manly's impressive performances during the 1970s, being the leading scorer in the premiership in 1974, 1975 and 1976. He won four premierships between 1972 and 1978, appeared in the inaugural State of Origin match in 1980, and retired from Sydney football in 1983.

Still to come, though, was a remarkable comeback when he successfully linked up with Halifax in the English League. In 1987, he became the second Australian (after Brett Kenny) to win the Lance Todd Trophy as man of the match in the Challenge Cup final.

The greenhorn kid who came down to join Manly from Woy Woy in 1971 and stayed 13 seasons and imprinted his name among the ‘greats’.

Ian Heads Rugby League Week