Shute Shield Battle of the Beaches: Ex Warringah gun Harley Attwater fired up for Manly

There’s nothing more powerful in sport than a man with a point to prove and some inside knowledge. Former Warringah Rat turned Manly Marlin star Harley Attwater is that man.

Action in last year’s Battle of the Beaches won 28-23 by Warringah. Pic: Karen Watson

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From early last Sunday morning the text messages started to arrive thick and fast from old teammates.

Banter, teasing. Some trash talk.

And with each one Harley Attwater became more fired up to lead the Manly Marlins to victory in the 2020 instalment of the Battle of the Beaches against the Warringah Rats.

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Harley Attwater is relishing the chance to come up against his old teammates. Pic: Adam McDonald.

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“Some of the messages were like ‘you can’t run without a head, we’re coming for you, don’t you dare run in my channel or I’ll smash you’,” said the Manly Marlines fly half.

“It’s a healthy rivalry. I enjoy it. But fired up? Just a bit.

“I’m fired up and I have the inside knowledge. That always helps.”

Earlier this season Attwater moved from Warringah to Manly to get more first grade time and last weekend was one of the busiest men in the field with six conversions in Manly’s 64-22 win over Penrith.

Warringah scoring in last year’s battle.

The local derby last year was watched by a huge crowd. This year fans will be limited due to coronavirus.

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“There are more opportunities at Manly. I wasn’t getting a lot of time. I was coming off the bench,’’ he said.

“I definitely circled this game on the calendar. I want to prove them wrong and show what they are missing out on.”

The 26-year-old builder from Dee Why played rugby league growing up, only switching to union when he was 20.

“I played with Manly Cove Rebels and Harbord Devils in rugby league and then in colts and grade for Manly before moving to the Rats in 2017,’’ he said.

“I had three good years there and now I’m back.’’

Manly playing Northern Suburbs in round three of the Shute Shield.

Warringah and Manly sit in seventh and eighth position respectively on the ladder with the local derby a crucial one for both teams.

Warringah have won three of their opening seven matches and Manly just two.

While Manly come into the Battle of the Beaches off a win, Warringah will be out to atone for their costly one point loss to Southern Districts last round.

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