When the final bell sounded, Manly coach, Harold Johnson rallied his players around him and declared, “Boys, you’ve made it!”
And he wasn’t wrong. Manly had given a most impressive debut performance.
Johnson’s few words had a positive and profound effect on not only the players but the Manly club going forward.
Opponents Western Suburbs arrived at Brookvale for this historic opening clash brimming with rep stars, a game-hardened first team, and a club which had 40 years of first grade experience.
Perhaps they weren’t expecting to be pushed to the final whistle.
Manly’s three tries to one was only eclipsed by a six-goal haul by Wests fullback Bill Keato, who was part of a well-drilled side but one that made little impact on Manly’s solid defence and formidable attack.
Led by skipper, Max Whitehead, who steered the game throughout, Manly were unlucky to lose the encounter 15-13 in front of 5,000 enthusiastic spectators.
Through sheer grit the Sea Eagles (minus gifted winger Gordon Willoughby who was out with an injured ankle) played strong, disciplined, but at times ad-lib football.
Manly led 13-9 at the break thanks to tries by second rower Keith ‘Meggsy’ Kirkwood, centre Cyril ‘Kelly’ McMahon, and ‘Blistering’ winger Johnny Bliss.
Five-eighth Merv Gillmer kicked two goals to put us ahead, while Kirkwood entered his name in the history books as scoring Manly's first ever try.
In the game’s final stages, Wests had a questionable try awarded by ref, Aubrey Oxford, when centre Tom Briggs had lunged forward over the try-line and appeared to lose his grip on the ball. The decision proved crucial to the result of the match but nevertheless, Manly took it in their stride and played out the closing moments.
Round One. Saturday, April 12th, 1947.
Manly-Warringah 13 Western Suburbs 15.
Our first team line-up: Fullback Albert ‘Bert’ Collins; Wingers Jim Walsh and Johnny Bliss; Centres Cyril McMahon and Mackie Campbell; Five-Eighth Merv Gillmer; Halfback Garry Maddrell; Lock Jim Hall; Second Rowers Keith Kirkwood and Max Whitehead (Captain); Front Rowers Pat Hines and Harry Grew; Hooker Ern Cannon. Coach Harold Johnson.
