Manly Sea Eagles legend Max Krilich makes emotional request for ashes to be scattered at Brookvale Oval
A Sea Eagles legend has made an emotional request for his ashes to be scattered over his beloved Brookvale Oval. It comes as the ‘Godfather of Manly’ calls for the famous Brookie Hill to be named after two club greats.
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Manly legend Max Krilich has emotionally requested that his ashes be scattered over his beloved Brookvale Oval.
His wish comes as Sea Eagles godfather Ken Arthurson calls for famous Brookie Hill to be named after Krilich and fellow club legend Roy Bull.
“Some surfers want their ashes scattered at sea – I want a portion of my ashes spread across Brookie,” Krilich said. “It comes from the heart.
“For me, it’s a hallowed ground. I was there from 1969 until 1983 as a player – I cherish the ground. I’m still going to the ground these days.
“Brookvale Oval has played a huge part in my life, it’s everything. I dream about Brookvale Oval, it’s a great place for me.
“I remember the old days when they used to have the Brookvale Show there at Easter. I used to be a ball boy at Brookvale.”
Krilich’s wife, Irene, said she would honour her husband’s wish.
“Max told me that 26 years ago when we met. We had a romantic dinner and he said: ‘One day I would like some of my ashes scattered on Brookie’,” she said.
“I said I’d like to keep some but he said the rest can go on Brookie Oval. I asked him about Monash (Krilich’s northern beaches’ golf club) but he said his heart was with Brookie and I will honour that. That’s what we will do.”
Arthurson, the former Sea Eagles player, coach and secretary, is pushing for the Krilich-Bull hill after former premiership-winning hooker Krilich and fellow club grand final forward, Roy Bull, both local juniors who became internationals.
All grandstands at Brookvale have been named – one in honour of Arthurson himself – but the hill, located on the eastern side of the ground, remains unacknowledged.
Krilich, 74, who is in fine health, and Bull, who died in 2004, played a combined total of 392 matches for Manly.
Captain of the unbeaten 1982 Kangaroos, Krilich was touched at being put forward for recognition alongside Bull by Arthurson.
“It would be a fantastic honour for myself, my heritage and family,” Krilich said. “I’d love my grandchildren to see my legacy on the hill. It would be fabulous if it happened but that’s up the board of the Sea Eagles. Time will tell.
“Roy was the first Manly junior to represent Australia and I was the first and only junior to be a Kangaroo captain.”
Arthurson indicated why Krilich and Bull should be recognised.
“Both played for Australia, both have been great representatives of Manly and both are local juniors,” Arthurson said.
“It would be a fantastic honour, it really would. Roy and I went to school together and Max and I have been together ever since he arrived at Manly.
“Max was an outstanding player and his captaincy of Australia on the unbeaten 1982 Kangaroos was just unbelievable.
“He showed his absolute loyalty to Manly by playing more than 100 games in reserve grade before getting the opportunity to replace our first ever premiership-winner and captain Fred Jones. Max and Roy are both entitled to this honour.”
Asked about Arthurson’s push for the Krilich-Bull hill, Irene said: “It would be an honour and I think it would be terrific. It’s something Max has striven for and would complement everything he has done for the club.
“I’m a great believer in people being rewarded while they’re alive, not after they have passed away, so they can enjoy it.”
Krilich still attends most home games and remains active on Sydney’s northern beaches, playing off a golf handicap of eight.
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Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles legend Max Krilich makes emotional request for ashes to be scattered at Brookvale Oval
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