Manly stars to make hospital visit for much loved mentor

Manly stars Jake and Tom Trbojevic rushed to a nearby hospital following their win over Wests Tigers to fulfil a pre-match promise to an ailing Sea Eagles super fan.

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Manly won it for Warwick — and then made a beeline for his hospital bedside to celebrate with him.

In one of the most touching rugby league moments of 2019, Manly stars Tom and Jake Trbojevic, head coach Des Hasler and club head trainer Alex Ross left Lottoland shortly after their 32-12 win over the Wests Tigers on Thursday night to be with hospitalised club stalwart, Warwick Bulmer.

The Daily Telegraph on Thursday reported how Manly were planning to visit Bulmer, who has helped belt out their victory song for more than 20 years.

Bulmer, 78, cracked five ribs, dislocated an elbow and fractured his shoulder in a fall down backyard stairs at his Narrabeen home recently.

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So, after overcoming the Tigers, the Trbojevic brothers, Hasler and Ross jumped into a car at around 10.30pm after the game and drove four kilometres to Northern Beaches Hospital so Bulmer wouldn’t miss out on singing the team song.

Despite his pain and with a croaky voice, Bulmer still managed to sing proudly and passionately.

“He was really proud. It was a great, he was so happy and thrilled when we sang the song. We all love him, he’s such a good man. Going there really lifted his spirits,” Jake Trbojevic told The Daily Telegraph.

“We want back and leading the team song. It’s not the same without him.”

Warwick Bulmer has always been there for the Sea Eagles.

Tom added: “Wok is the heart and soul of the Manly club who leads our team song. He loves the club and we all love him back.

“He’s been a good mate of mine for many years now, ever since I started playing in the Manly juniors.

“As he is obviously going through a tough time following his recent injuries, it was great to sing the song with him and we also got the chance to see him post game.

“He was in great spirits and very happy he got a chance to sing the song.”

Northern Beaches Hospital staff approved the special late-night visit.

The 78-year-old is the heart and soul of the club and was awarded the Steve Menzies Medal.

It was a very special moment for us to be there with Wok. He’s doing it very tough but the visit certainly lifted his spirits,” Sea Eagles media manager Wayne Cousins said.

“The team song isn’t the same without Wok leading the way.”

Bulmer first became involved with Manly back in the 1970s and is now a life member of the football club, Leagues Club and the Sea Eagles.

He even travels to away matches on the team bus and attends every training session. He is a genuine club champion.

Victory has provisionally lifted Manly into the top four – a remarkable effort which has Hasler hot favourite to be Dally M coach of the year.

With a 10-day turn-around between matches, Manly will be well rested for a huge game next Sunday against Canberra at GIO Stadium.

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Manly didn’t want their possible hospital visit to be seen a sign of complacency, but after an arm-wrestle in the opening 20 minutes on Thursday night, the Sea Eagles asserted their dominance over the Tigers in a six-tries-to-two victory.

After that it was a quick trip to see Bulmer, who first became involved with Manly back in the 1970s. He is now a life member of the football club, Leagues Club and the Sea Eagles.

He has been there for grand final wins, finals victories, home ground wins and away triumphs. He even travels to games on the official team bus and attends every training session.

“Warwick is a great supporter of the team and is loved by the players. He’s a wonderful singer, joke teller and mentor to the players,” former Manly official and player Peter Peters said.

Club great Max Krilich visits Warwick is hospital.

“His absence will be noticed while he is recovering. He is held in high esteem by everybody.”

Krilich planted a kiss on Bulmer’s forehead during his hospital visit this week.

“It would be a beauty if the players did that — it would bring a tear to Warwick’s eye, don’t worry about that,” Krilich said. “It would be a great thing to do. The players love him and he loves the players. He worships the ground the Trbojevic brothers walk on.

“Warwick’s not in a good way. I pick him up and take him to board meetings. He can struggle to get in and out of cars. I even watch him struggle to get down the stairs to lead the victory song.

“But once he gets into that dressing room, he hammers away with our song. He is so passionate about the whole place and how the side is going. He just loves Manly and loves Manly winning.

“He is one of those diehards and is a heartbeat at the club. The passion he shows in leading the victory song — it’s unbelievable. He is just a great human being.”