Today, September 18, marks 47 years since the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles won their third NSWRL first grade premiership in 1976.
After tasting premiership success in 1972 and 1973, the Sea Eagles beat the Parramatta Eels 13-10 on September 18, 1976, at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
It was Parramatta's first grand final appearance after entering the first grade premiership in 1947 with Manly.
Parramatta scored two tries to one in the grand final but Manly's experience and and class saw them capture their third premiership victory in five years.
Former Manly player and Kangaroo, Frank Stanton, claimed his first premiership victory with Sea Eagles captain Bob Fulton capturing his third premiership title alongside Graham Eadie, Ian Martin and Terry Randall.
It was a fitting way to send Fulton off in his final game for Manly.
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles
1 Graham Eadie 2 Tom Mooney 3 Russel Gartner 4 Bob Fulton (c) 5 Rod Jackson 6 Alan Thompson, 7 Gary Stephens 8 John Harvey 9 Max Krilich 10 Terry Randall 11 Steve Norton 12 Phil Lowe 13 Ian Martin; bench 14 Gary Thoroughgood 17 Mark Willoughby, Coach Frank Stanton.
Parramatta Eels
1 Mark Levy 2 Jim Porter 3 Ed Sulkowicz 4 John Moran 5 Neville Glover 6 John Peard 7 John Kolc 8 Graeme Olling 9 Ron Hilditch 10 Denis Fitzgerald 11 Geoff Gerard 12 Ray Higgs (c), 13 Ray Price; bench 14 Graeme Atkins 15 John Baker, Coach Terry Fearnley
1976 Grand Final
Sea Eagles 13 (Lowe try, Eadie 5/6 goals) d Eels 10 (Gerard, Porter tries; Peard 2/3 goals, Levy 0/1) at Sydney Cricket Ground, Saturday, September 18, 1976. Crowd: 57,343. Referee: Gary Cook.
1976 Manly season summary
Coach: Frank Stanton
Captains: Bob Fulton (21), Terry Randall (2), Ray Branighan (2).
Biggest home crowd: 25,876 (vs. Balmain in round 11)
Top pointscorer: Graham Eadie (233)
Top tryscorer: Bob Fulton (24)
Most points in a season: 233, Graham Eadie (9T, 103G)
Most tries in a match: Tom Mooney v Penrith, Brookvale Oval, May 8,
