Manly Warringah Sea Eagles held a special Golden Eagles Barbecue in Brisbane today for some of its former players now living in South East Queensland.
Former Sea Eagles players Russel Gartner, John Jones, Owen Cunningham, Michael Robertson and Michael Witt were the club's special guests at training in Brisbane ahead of tomorrow night's NRL Magic Round clash against the Brisbane Broncos.
After watching the Sea Eagles team complete their final preparations, the former Manly stars were presented with a Golden Eagles t-shirt before joining the current players and coaching staff for a barbecue as part of the Sea Eagles Legacy Group through our Eagle Hearts program.
Former Golden Eagles players to have attended the past three luncheons have included the likes of Mike Eden, Brett Stewart, Ian Thomson, David Gillespie, Solomon Haumono, and David Liddiard to name a few.
Manly stars of the past
Russel Gartner #233
A brilliant centre, Gartner played in Manly's 1976 and 1978 premiership winning grand final teams. Nick-named 'Frog's eyes', Gartner scored 40 tries in 107 games for the Sea Eagles from 1975-1981. He also played two games for NSW and two Tests for Australia.Today, Gartner is retired and living in Brisbane.
Owen Cunningham #323
A tough, skillful and hardworking prop forward, Cunningham played 235 games for the Manly Sea Eagles and the Northern Eagles. He scored 21 tries in 208 games for Manly and played 26 matches for the Northern Eagles. Today, Cunningham works on the wharves at Fisherman Island in Brisbane.
John Jones #358
A tough, hard running second-rower/prop, Jones scored 15 tries in 85 games for Manly from 1989-94. Nick-named 'Jughead', Jones finished runner-up to Allan Langer in the Rothmans Medal for best and fairest player in 1992. Jones retired in 1997 after three seasons with the now defunct South Qld Crushers. Today, Jones runs a very successful printing business, Rapid Engraving, in Slacks Creek, Brisbane, which he established 20 years ago.
Michael Witt #499
A talented five-eighth/half, Witt scored 144 points for Manly through five tries and 62 goals in 20 games from 2005-2006. Today, Witt is a real estate agent for McGrath at Palm Beach on the Gold Coast.
Michael Robertson #506
A very reliable and solid winger/full-back, 'Robbo' scored 68 tries in 150 games for Manly. He scored a hat-trick in the historic 40-0 premiership win over Melbourne in the 2008 Grand Final.
