Future looking bright for the Sea Eagles on and off the field

MANLY could spring a massive selection surprise in Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at Brookvale Oval.

Matt Orford celebrates a try in the 2008 grand final.

MANLY could spring a massive selection surprise in Saturday’s clash with Melbourne at Brookvale Oval.

And if they do, it will ­reinforce how far the club has come in the front office, boardroom and in the football area since the days, a few seasons ago, when everything was leaked.

The selection surprise is a salute to some hard work and effort to try and improve the side in the immediate ­future.

The player will be very much part of the club, going forward.

Orford’s fight

THE Sea Eagles faithful and supporters from all clubs have swamped the club’s ­social media with thousands of hits daily to ­receive the latest health updates on former grand final-winning captain Matt Orford.

Orford was found by nurses at the Mater Hospital early this week on a ­bathroom floor after suffering a seizure. This followed complications as a result of a hip operation.

Orford was transferred to Royal North Shore Hospital, where he had a blood clot on the brain removed.

Reports since have been sketchy but his father Allan has informed me that he remains in intensive care, has undergone a series of tests and is stable.

His former teammates at the now-defunct Northern Eagles, Melbourne Storm, Manly Sea Eagles and Canberra Raiders have all sent messages of support.

Matt Orford is recovering in hospital after doctors found a blood clot on his brain.

Naati impresses

THIS time last week teenage front-rower Anson Naati was a 125kg prop preparing to play for Beacon Hill Bears against the Northern Buccaneers in an under-17 match.

Today he will debut up a few years in Manly’s Holden Cup side (under-20s) in a big test for the former Parramatta junior.

Naati didn’t know it at the time but looking on at his performance last week was Sea Eagles director of ­football, the Immortal Bob Fulton.

To say Fulton was impressed is an understatement.

A legend lost

ONE of the biggest thrills I had as a first-season young player in the then NSW Rugby League was playing alongside international players for the first side in the world’s best ­competition.

The season was 1968 and the Parramatta side included two of the three famous Thornett brothers – John, Ken and Dick.

John was captain of the Wallabies and never switched to league but his brother Dick waa a dual international who played water polo for Australia.

Dick died a few years ago.

What a second row partner for a rookie player from the bush to have in his first season in the big time.

Ken was the fullback – nicknamed “The Mayor” for his position in the game.

In the past 20 years ­Thornett has lived at Newport. He died this week aged 78.

Peter Peters is a media and sales consultant with the Sea Eagles.