Manly Sea Eagles beat New Zealand Warriors 24-10 in 2011 NRL grand final
THERE has been Brett Stewart's bitter battle with David Gallop. The controversial sacking of club legend Peter Peters.
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THERE has been Brett Stewart's bitter battle with David Gallop. The controversial sacking of club legend Peter Peters. Des Hasler being chased by Canterbury. Players expressing anger at a dysfunctional board.
Fallout from the Battle of Brookvale. And co-captain Jason King being ruled out through injury.
But it seems nothing can break Manly-Warringah's resolve.
This is a team which has confronted and overcome issues that would have crippled rival clubs.
For a team of so-called Silvertails, this mob is bloody tough.
Peters, a 42-year official at Manly, said: "This is the toughest team I have ever been associated with."
Nothing was going to halt the Sea Eagles juggernaut yesterday.
When the Warriors were steaming home, Manly showed incredible mental and physical strength to score a historic win over New Zealand before 81,988 fans in yesterday's grand final.
Manly coach Des Hasler now joins great coaches like Bob Fulton, Phil Gould, Frank Stanton and Warren Ryan to have won two first grade titles. Four Manly coaches have won two premierships - Hasler, Fulton, Stanton and Ron Willey. They are all former Manly players.
Unassuming and even eccentric, Hasler has rocketed into a new realm - a coach in the legendary class.
"I can't fault these boys - great culture, great club," Hasler said.
"I'm so proud of this side and am so proud of the Manly club. Grand finals don't come around often. They are very difficult to make and very difficult to win."
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Pressed on his immediate plans, he said: "I'll be at Manly next year."
The Warriors were brave in defeat, scoring two tries in the final 18 minutes to set up a thrilling finish in a gruelling and tough decider.
Manly have now won eight premierships and the Warriors remain on none, having lost two grand finals - last night and in 2002.
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The Sea Eagles controlled most of the match through their discipline, structure and patience. But there were a few hairy moments towards the end when they appeared to tire badly.Denied several times, the knock-out blow arrived in the 57th minute through a miracle try to back-rower Glenn Stewart.
It came from a kick that was batted back by centre and co-captain Jamie Lyon to winger Will Hopoate, who ran for the corner. Aware he could not make it, Hopoate threw a freakish flick pass to an unmarked Stewart to score untouched.
Despite the Warriors' bold finish, Manly were not going to be denied a second premiership in five years.
Victory was a tribute to Hasler and a side many thought may just sneak into the top eight. "It was a great relief in the end," Lyon said. "Being co-captain makes it special."
The atmosphere last night was electric. Warriors fans roared and cheered as Manly supporters gave as good as they got at the northern end of ANZ Stadium.
New Zealand gave themselves some chance with a try to bulldozing winger Manu Vatuvei in the 62nd minute and another to Elijah Taylor out wide six minutes later when he broke a tackle from Steve Matai.
Rookie Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson set up both tries but five-eighth James Maloney missed both conversions to give Manly a crucial eight-point buffer.
Lyon scored inside the final minute to seal the famous win.
"At the end of the day, they were just too good for us," Johnson said.
The match was not without controversy. Manly prop George Rose and Warriors hooker Aaron Heremaia were placed on report for high tackles.
There was more drama just before Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans scored a defining try.
It came with 11 seconds of the first half remaining when there were claims of a collision between two Manly players which obstructed the Warriors.
But the try was given and Manly led 12-2 at half-time.
The Sea Eagles just couldn't deliver the knockout blow in the second half and the Warriors kept coming.
But, in the end, Manly's resolve pushed them to victory.
"It is a surreal experience," Manly five-eighth Kieran Foran said.
"I wasn't expecting this to come this quickly in my career. It is unbelievable."
New Zealand walked away from Homebush last night still proud of their efforts.
They brought the semi-finals to life and stole limelight from the Rugby World Cup.
"It just wasn't to be," Warriors coach Ivan Cleary said.
"I just had the feeling it was going to be Manly's night.
"Manly had a great season. There was a bit of destiny for them tonight. They deserve to be premiers."
Warriors skipper Simon Mannering felt his side could have snatched the game late.
"Momentum was our way," Mannering said.
"I definitely felt we were a big chance with 10 minutes to go. It wasn't meant to be."
Lyon announced in the post-match press conference that he would be unavailable for the Four Nations tournament in England.
MANLY 24 (D Cherry-Evans J Lyon B Stewart G Stewart tries J Lyon 3 M Robertson goals) WARRIORS 10 (E Taylor M Vatuvei tries J Maloney goal) at ANZ Stadium. Referees: Tony Archer, Matt Cecchin. Crowd: 81,988.
