CEO, sparkies, brokers and coaches: Manly’s 40-nil Storm busters 15 years on

It’s been 15 years since the Manly Sea Eagles claimed the 2008 NRL title with a record breaking 40-0 thumping of the Melbourne Storm. We take a look at where the stars are now.

NRL 2008 Grand Final: Manly 40 d Melbourne 0

It’s been 15 years since the Manly Sea Eagles hammered a hapless Melbounce Storm with eight unanswered tries in the most one sided grand final on record.

In a 40-0 rout that doubled as the ultimate fairytale for departing club legend Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies, the Sea Eagles stunned more than 80,000 fans at Homebush with a blistering 32-point second half.

With the NRL trophy up for grabs this weekend, we caught up with Sea Eagles ambassador and 2008 premiership winning prop Mark Bryant to find out what his former teammates are doing now.

1 BRETT STEWART (FULLBACK)

Remembered for his astonishing flick pass for Steve Bell’s try, the ‘Prince of Brookvale’ went on to collect a second premiership ring three years later before hanging up the boots in 2016.

Now back at the club in an assistant coaching role, Stewart also has an interest in a mining company.

No -Look: Brett Stewart puts Steve Bell over with a miracle flick pass.

2 MICHAEL ROBERTSON (WING)

Joined a rare club of players who have scored a hat-trick in a grand final after making the left corner his own with three consecutive touchdowns in a 17-minute blitz either side of halftime.

Now based on the Gold Coast, the dual premiership winner is CEO for sports apparel firm Paladin Sports.

Hat-trick Hero: Michael Robertson scores his third.

3 STEVEN BELL (CENTRE)

After putting his former Storm teammates to the sword, the Queenslander headed to Super League, finishing his career with two seasons at Catalans Dragons.

Now living in Emerald, Bell is as busy as ever supporting four kids and working as an electrician in the coal industry.

Try Time: Centre Steven Bell crosses for Manly’s eighth and final try.

4 STEVE MATAI (CENTRE)

A club legend, Matai’s 12 seasons at Manly came to an end after 230 appearances in 2016. Now relocated on the north coast, the two-time premiership winner is living comfortably and the club continues to respect his privacy

Tough as Nails: Steve Matai pumped out the hits and landed two conversions.

5 DAVID WILLIAMS (WING)

The ‘Wolfman’ came from nowhere in an astonishing rookie season, after crossing the stripe in the second half the flying winger was then named in the Aussie World Cup squad.

Injury robbed him of another title in 2011 before he gave the game away in 2015. Inspired by body mechanics, Williams is now a director and personal trainer at Kinex Health on the northern beaches.

Wolfman: David Williams added his name to the scoresheet in the 66th minute.

6 JAMIE LYON (FIVE EIGHTH)

Primarily a gun centre in a 294-game NRL career, ‘Killer’ orchestrated Manly’s memorable 2008 season in the No.6 jumper.

After giving it away in 2016, he shifted to the north coast where he came out of retirement to guide Ballina to the 2019 title. Now residing at Lennox Head, Lyon has reunited with Robertson as a member of Paladin Sports.

Number-1: Jamie Lyon hoisting the first of two trophies with the Sea Eagles.

7 MATT ORFORD (HALFBACK, CAPTAIN)

‘The Ox’ not only accepted the club’s seventh premiership trophy, he capped an enormous season by winning the Dally M Medal.

Now based on the Central Coast, Orford has overcome well publicised health issues and last season returned to the Sea Eagles as U16s development coach.

Toast of the Beaches: Manly skipper Matt Orford celebrates with fans.

8 BRENT KITE (PROP)

Held the Storm pack to ransom with a punishing 157m. Scored a try and eventually the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal before tasting more premiership success in 2011.

After finishing his career at Penrith in 2015, Kite picked up the clipboard, and prior to relocating to the Gold Coast he coached the Tweed Coast Raiders to the 2018 title.

Double Winner: Brent Kite with the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the match.

9 MATT BALLIN (HOOKER)

Only diehards would have predicted the avalanche that was to follow after the No.9 muscled over for the opening try in the 23rd minute.

A proud Queenslander, the hooker was among eight who returned to the podium three years later. Now back in Brisbane, Ballin is an assistant coach at the Broncos.

Matt Ballin opens the floodgates.

10 JOSH PERRY (PROP)

A premiership winner in 2001 with the Knights, Perry collected his second medal after smashing out 94m in 37 minutes on the park. Now living on the north coast, the former prop is owner and director of building company Byron Built.

Josh Perry is still hammering home the advantage.

11 ANTHONY WATMOUGH (SECOND ROW)

The local junior was at his explosive best in an 80-minute masterclass, carving out 151m and 22 tackles. Played in four grand finals for Manly, where he won two titles before joining the 300-club at Parramatta.

Since retiring in 2015, Watmough has dabbled in the restaurant game, but now guides tradies at Traden Construction School.

Anthony Watmough proved unstoppable in 2008.

12 GLENN HALL (SECOND ROW)

Hall’s second half bust will be long remembered by Manly fans. A genuine NRL journeyman, the backrower played his third and final season at the Sea Eagles in 2009 before shifting to his fifth club – North Queensland – where he now works as Football Operations Manager.

Glenn Hall (right) and Beaver calling the shots. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

13 GLENN STEWART (LOCK)

Worked non-stop either side of the ball in a tireless 80-minute performance. Did it again in 2011 to win the Churchill Medal.

Now based in Wollongong, ‘Gifty’ continues to clean up in his role as director at waste and recycling firm Oak Services Group.

Double Delight: Brett (left) and Glenn Stewart hold the trophy on the following day at Brookvale Oval. (AAP Image/Paul Miller)

INTERCHANGE

14 HEATH L’ESTRANGE

The energetic dummy-half played his role to perfection off the bench. Donned an Eagles jersey on 43 occasions before heading to Bradford at the end of 2009. Now works alongside older brother Ryan for Carpet Cutters in western Sydney.

Heath L'Estrange (right) can’t get enough of Brent Kite’s four-pointer.

15 MARK BRYANT

The 40-zip belting proved the perfect celebration for Bryant’s 100th and final NRL appearance. Finished his playing days in the UK before returning to the northern beaches where he now has a finger in many pies.

In addition to GM duties at Nicco Global, the former prop doubles as a real estate agent and chairman of ex-players association, the Golden Eagles.

Mark Bryant remains busy on the northern beaches.

16 JASON KING

A giant off the bench, King punched out 126m in just 38 minutes. A local junior, he kicked off his NRL days in 2001 with the Northern Eagles and remained in the maroon and white for 14 seasons.

Smarter than your average front-rower, King is now a qualified lawyer and Head of Integrity at the NRL.

Power of Stopping: Jason King takes on three defenders and a chicken-wing tackle.

Ultimate Farewell: Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies couldn’t have planned his 349th and final NRL match any better.

Des Hasler celebrates with his players after the 2008 grand final victory.

17 STEVE MENZIES

Beaver’s stellar career looked like ending on the bench until a late cameo sparked one of the most memorable roars from a crowd at the Olympic Stadium. His 180th career try unleashed wild celebrations, and they continued moments later when he was chaired from the field.

Now a mortgage broker, Menzies is also a NSW Blues and Manly ambassador. He still plays touch footy, and is often filmed in cahoots with Fletch and Hindy.

COACH: DES HASLER

In more than 250 games in a Manly jersey, Hasler won two comps before repeating the dose as coach. Made a controversial exit after guiding the Sea Eagles to the 2011 title, before returning for a second stint in 2019.

Now on the Gold Coast, Hasler is gearing up for his first season in charge of the Titans.