Sunday, April 12, 2026, marks the official 80th anniversary of the first ever premiership match of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles.
The Sea Eagles played the Western Suburbs Magpies at Brookvale Oval on Saturday, April 12, 1947, in their debut season after being admitted to the NSWRL first grade premiership competition on November 4, 1946.
Max Whitehead captained the Manly team after being one of many local players to return to their district club from the North Sydney Bears, a club that voted for Manly to enter the competition to help develop the game.
Three grades were played on April 12 in a historic day for rugby league at Brookvale in front of an energetic crowd of 4200.
Taking on a more experienced and established 1908 Foundation Club in Wests, Manly played some entertaining rugby league to lead 13-9 at half-time.
However, Wests escaped with a 15-13 win on the back of the magic boot of full-back Bill Keato, who kicked six goals from six attempts.
Second-rower Keith ‘Megsy’ Kirkwood had the honour of scoring Manly’s first ever try before local beach sprint champion Johnny Bliss and Kelly McMahon also scored for the new club.
Kirkwood later relived his moment of glory in the 'Sea Eagle Has Landed' book.
“Kelly McMahon broke down the wing and centre-kicked towards Wests posts. I was always schooled at Norths to go up the middle and on this occasion, I caught the ball on the first bounce and scored underneath the crossbar,’’ Kirkwood said.
The loss to Wests left Manly centre Mackie Campbell with a bitter taste in his mouth.
Campbell later found joy in becoming a grandfather to a young boy named Steve Menzies, who would go on to become one of Manly’s greatest ever sons.
“A first up win would have been great for the club and we completely outplayed Wests on the day, but we were penalised out of it by referee Aub Oxford, particularly for scrum infringements,’’ Campbell expressed.
Many rugby league fans at the SCG for the match of the day between Balmain and Canterbury believed Manly had caused an upset in their debut match.
However, it wasn’t to be after a scoreboard attendant wrongly put up 20-11, the score of the corresponding rugby union match between Manly and Western Suburbs.
Manly finally broke through for their first premiership victory in round eight on May 31, with a 15-7 win over fellow newcomers Parramatta Eels at Brookvale Oval.
The Sea Eagles finished their inaugural season with four wins from 18 games to sit second last. Parramatta claimed the wooden spoon with three victories.
Inaugural First Grade team vs Western Suburbs Magpies, April 12, 1947, Brookvale Oval
Albert 'Bert' Collins, Jim Walsh, Cyril 'Kelly' McMahon, Mackie Campbell, Johnny Bliss, Merv Gillmer, Gary Maddrell, Jim Hall, Keith 'Megsy' Kirkwood, Max Whitehead (c), Pat Hines, Ern Cannon, Harry Grew. Coach: Harold Johnson.
Western Suburbs 15 (T Briggs try, W Keato 6 goals) d Manly Warringah 13 (J Bliss, C McMahon, K Kirkwood tries, M Gillmer 2 goals).
Inaugural Reserve Grade team vs Western Suburbs, April 12, 1947, Brookvale Oval
Full-back: P Aldridge, three-quarters: J Bradstreet, C Foerster, K Chapman, A Kerle; halves: A Sullivan, R Smith; forwards: C Robinson, R Allerton, D Matherson, R Bourke, E Dawes, F Burge
Western Suburbs 7 (J Snare try; J Lackey 2 goals) d Manly Warringah 3 (J Bradstreet try).
Inaugural Third Grade team vs Western Suburbs Magpies, April 12, 1947, Brookvale Oval
Full-back: R Beaumont, three-quarters: A Barnes, S Raffo, F Denham, A Riddle, halves: T Jensen, J Campbell; forwards: A Barrett, J Hubbard, B Seymour, R Mullins, L Johnson, R Waterer.
Western Suburbs 11 (A Rosevear, J Rawlinson, J Duggan tries; J Bradley goal) d Manly Warringah 5 (T Jensen try, R Beaumont goal).
