Memory Lane: Sea Eagles and Roosters Connections

Author: Wayne Cousins
Timestamp: Thu 26 Mar 2026, 03:38 PM

In our 80th Anniversary season we take a trip down memory lane ahead of tonight’s Gotcha4Life Cup match between the Sea Eagles and Roosters at 4 Pines Park.

There have been some greats of the game over the years who have shared their time with both the Sea Eagles and Roosters.

Bob Fulton

Fulton starred in Manly’s 1972, ’73 and 76 premiership wins before joining the Roosters in 1977.

A brilliant centre/five-eighth, Fulton broke the hearts of Manly fans by scoring a try in both wins over the Sea Eagles at the SCG in his first season at the Roosters.

Fortunately, Fulton returned to coach Manly in 1983, a year that saw the Sea Eagles field 15 internationals.

He later coached the Sea Eagles to first grade premiership titles in 1987 and 1996.

Today, the Fulton legacy lives on at Manly with the new grandstand at 4 Pines Park named after Bob in recognition of the Sea Eagles’ greatest ever player.

Kevin Junee

Half-back Kevin Junee won the Rothmans Medal for best and fairest player in 1970.

He later played in Easts' 1972 grand final loss to Manly. In 1974, Junee joined Manly and was the season's leading try-scorer with 20 tries.

He scored 29 tries in 38 games in two seasons for the Sea Eagles before returning to the Roosters in 1976.

Kerry Boustead

One of the quickest Test wingers ever to play the game, Boustead scored 32 tries in 81 games for the Roosters.

One of Fulton’s key signings as coach of the 1983 Manly team, ‘Bowie’ scored against the Roosters in a 40-18 win at Brookvale in his first season.

He quickly became a Manly favourite after scoring 30 tries in 65 games in the maroon and white jersey.

Noel Cleal

A powerful centre/second row forward, Cleal also arrived with Fulton at Manly in 1983 after three seasons with the Roosters.

‘Crusher’ reminded the Roosters of what they were missing with a two try haul in a 40-18 win at Brookvale Oval in his second appearance against his old club.

Cleal would go on to play 128 games for Manly from 1983-89, starring in the 1987 grand final win over Canberra. He later became one of Manly’s finest ever recruitment managers.

George Rose

Prop George Rose started his career at the Roosters before joining Manly in 2006.

His debut try came for Manly against the Roosters at Aussie Stadium, where he came off the bench in a 33-16 win.

A popular cult figure at Manly for his unusual body shape for a forward, Rose won a premiership with the Sea Eagles in 2011.

Paul Vautin

After captaining Manly to the 1987 premiership under coach Fulton, Paul Vautin found himself at the Roosters in 1990.

A much-loved and respected player in his 11 seasons at the Sea Eagles, ‘Fatty’ had an unhappy day as Roosters captain in his first encounter against Manly, losing 34-0 at Henson Park.

Following his retirement, Vautin became a successful rugby league commentator and popular host of The Footy Show.

Grand Finals

The two clubs have met twice in premiership deciders.

Manly broke through for their first of eight premiership titles in 1972 in beating the Roosters 19-14 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The Sea Eagles were captained by hooker Fred Jones under the coaching of Ron Willey. It was a historic victory for Manly after finishing runners-up on five previous occasions.