They can proudly be forever known as the greatest team of Manly Warringah Sea Eagles players to ever have played junior rugby league on the Northern Beaches.
At a glittering function at Manly Leagues Club on Saturday, Manly Warringah District Junior Rugby Football League (MWDJRL) announced their '90th Celebration Legend Team' comprising of players dating back to their establishment in 1932.
From 28 nominees, a three man panel from the MWDJRL selected their best 17 players from their junior rugby league clubs.
And what a star-studded list it is, full of premiership winners, state and internationals, to some of rugby league’s greatest names who all went on to enjoy wonderful careers in the Sea Eagles jersey. Some even enjoyed success in the Manly coaching ranks and administration levels.
From Manly’s very first Australian Test player in Roy Bull to the great Max Krilich, captain of the undefeated ‘Invincibles’ Kangaroos team of 1982, the list of proud Manly juniors is one that would excite any Sea Eagles supporter.
Krilich was appointed captain of this honorary team with Geoff Toovey named vice-captain.
The chosen players, or family representatives, were presented with a commemorative Manly JRL jersey with their name and number on it.
And good luck to selected Coach Frank Stanton and Manager Ken Arthurson, the 'Godfather of Manly', in trying to fit this team into a rugby league salary cap today!
See the photo gallery here.
MWDJRL 90th Anniversary Team
| Position/Number | Name | Junior Club | Manly Debut | Games |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tom Trbojevic | Mona Vale Raiders | 2015 | 121* |
| 2 | Johnny Bliss | North Narrabeen SLSC | 1947 | 476 |
| 3 | Russel Gartner | Narrabeen Sharks | 1975 | 107 |
| 4 | Gordon Willoughby | Unknown | 1947 | 130 |
| 5 | Ray Ritchie | Harbord United | 1955 | 49 |
| 6 | Alan Thompson | Narrabeen | 1973 | 263 |
| 7 | Geoff Toovey (vc) | Belrose Eagles | 1988 | 286 |
| 8 | Terry Randall | North Curl Curl | 1970 | 208 |
| 9 | Max Krilich (captain) | Harbord United, Allambie, Narraweena | 1970 | 215 |
| 10 | Roy Bull | Freshwater SLSC | 1947 | 177 |
| 11 | Steve Menzies | Harbord United | 1993 | 280 (Manly), 349 (Manly/Northern Eagles) |
| 12 | Anthony Watmough | Narrabeen Sharks | 2002 | 286 |
| 13 | Jake Trbojevic | Mona Vale Raiders | 2013 | 182* |
| 14 | Phil Blake | Forestville Ferrets/Beacon Hill | 1982 | 103 |
| 15 | Ian Martin | Harbord United | 1969 | 159 |
| 16 | Fred Jones | Freshwater SLSC | 1961 | 241 |
| 17 | Bill Delamere | Newport JRL | 1952 | 42 |
| Coach | Frank Stanton | Brookvale/Narraweena | 1961 | 129 |
| Manager | Ken Arthurson | Freshwater SLSC | 1950 | 41 |
