The 75 series: Bob Fulton

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 piece in the '75 series' is the greatest Sea Eagle all of them all in Bob Fulton.

One of the game's original ''Immortals'', Fulton holds the unique distinction of winning premiership titles and Ashes series as a player, captain and coach.

Bob Fulton (#175)

Although known as the master of the unorthodox and a brilliant individualist who could single-handedly turn a game, the force that drove Bob Fulton was a competitive spirit that coursed through his body.

It propelled him to great heights as a player and later as a coach at club and international level.

Born in England and raised in Wollongong, Fulton joined Manly as an 18-year-old and in 11 years with the Sea Eagles never played anything other than first grade.

In 1967, he was chosen as captain of City against Country in a selection trial for that year's Kangaroo tour, but was outpointed by Country pivot Tony Branson and missed out on selection.

However, he was included in Australia's World Cup squad during the following season, and went on to play 35 Tests and World Cup matches for Australia.

Fulton won premierships with Manly in 1972, 1973 (when his two tries paved the way for victory over Cronulla) and 1976, when he captained the Sea Eagles to victory in his final game for the club.

He then accepted a rich offer to join Easts, played two years there, and then turned to coaching, steering Manly to premiership titles in 1987 and 1996, and coaching Australia from 1989 to 1998.

He had an opulent fusion of match-winning talents; speed of thought and foot; blended with a single-minded competitiveness

Robert Smith The Sea Eagle Has Landed