Sea Eagles fans hit back Peter Peters’ “dummies and cowards” comments
MANLY icon Peter ‘Zorba’ Peters has apologised to angry Sea Eagles fans who went on the attack following a recent media interview.
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MANLY icon Peter “Zorba” Peters has apologised to angry Sea Eagles fans who accused him of calling them “dummies and cowards”.
The veteran Sydney media personality and part-time Sea Eagles employee was speaking on a weekly website panel show when he slammed social media users as “faceless keyboard warriors” when discussing the struggling Sea Eagles.
Convinced Peters had directed his comments at them, Sea Eagles supporters went on the attack.
Peters apologised to “genuine Manly fans”, saying the comments were aimed at all social media trolls, not specifically Sea Eagles fans.
The Up The Hoist panel show on Sportingnews Australia featured Peters, journalist Adam Lucius and your reporter.
It attracted more than 400 angry comments directed at Peters on the unofficial Silvertails website before the moderator removed Peters’ interview.
@BulldogRitchie I am one of many Manly fans who is cancelling their membership today. Mr Peters comments have made it plain we are unwanted.
— Peter O'Donnell (@manly2011champs) March 14, 2017
@MarkTramby @SeaEagles Yes Manly, you really must put a stop to Zorba. What is a club without fans? Insulting us must be bad for business?
— Lee Gough (@LeeGough) March 14, 2017
So Zorba has called Manly fans 'dummies'... Nice employee you have there @SeaEagles. Just what you need when crowds are falling!
— Eagles Nest (@1947EaglesNest) March 14, 2017
“I wasn’t referring to Manly fans,” Peters said. “They are among the best and most loyal in the world.”
Several fans have contacted the Manly club threatening to tear up their memberships.
Asked on the video why was there so much fan fury, Peters said: “I think they get angry because they are dummies and they don’t know the game.
“Every club has got them. I think they become all too self-important. I think they are cowards. They rip into people that are achievers, who are having a go in their life while these people sit at home having a sausage roll and then they’re suddenly experts. No, I don’t have any time for them.”
Peters refused to back down from his comments but did apologise if Manly fans had taken them “out of context”.
“If I offended any genuine Manly fans, then I apologise,” Peters said. “This shouldn’t be taken out of context.
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“In reality, it was a three-minute interview in which I defended Manly coach Trent Barrett, defended the team and players and when asked about social media I was generalising. I wasn’t specifically talking about Manly fans, who are among the best and most loyal in the game.
“I don’t have time for anonymous people who sit behind a keyboard and criticise people that are doing their best in a tough, professional body-contact sport.
“There are a lot of cowards out there who get behind the keyboard and they suddenly become brave. Their criticism hurts family and friends.”
Peters, a journalist since 1968, said he took part in the offending video as a member of the media.
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Joe Kelly is appointed as Manly CEO, replacing David Perry.
THE DCE DEBACLE
Daly Cherry-Evans announces he’s signed with the Gold Coast Titans for 2016. He backflips on the deal on June 3, signing an eight- year deal with Manly in what is the biggest contract in Australian rugby league history.
BOZO’S BIG RETURN
The club announces that Bob Fulton will return to the club after a 15-year absence as a strategic consultant.
A QUICK FIX?
Manly are defeated 20-8 by the Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium. This game is later investigated due to suspicions of match-fixing.
STAR WALKS OUT
Kieran Foran signs with Parramatta. He plays his final match for the club on September 6th.
DODGY DEAL DEFENDED
Then Parramatta prop Darcy Lussick defends his relationship with Eddie Obeid Jnr, claiming in the Sydney Morning Herald he’s just a “regular friend” after it was revealed Lussick bought an apartment in Top Ryde from Obeid jnr’s family company at a discounted price. Lussick signed a three-year deal to return to Manly on 18 August.
CHANGING OF THE GUARD
Geoff Toovey is sacked as Manly coach. He was allowed to see out the season before being replaced by Trent Barrett. Toovey took over from Des Hasler following the 2011 grand final victory and steered the club to three straight finals series, including the 2013 grand final. He finished with a record of 61 victories from 105 matches in charge.
ANOTHER SUSPICIOUS MATCH?
Manly are defeated 20-16 by Parramatta at Brookvale Oval. This game is later investigated due to suspicions of match-fixing.
TOOVEY SHOWN THE DOOR
Toovey coaches his final game for the club, a 14-12 victory over Cronulla. The Sea Eagles finish the season in 9th.
CONTRACT SCANDAL IGNITES
The Sea Eagles sign star forward Martin Taupau from the Tigers. In an embarrassing bungle, Taupau’s contract is accidentally sent to Canadian theatre critic J.Kelly Nestruck instead of CEO Joe Kelly. The Sea Eagles hail Taupau as “one of the club’s biggest signings since Malcolm Reilly”.
API UNDER FIRE
Manly recruit Apisai Koroisau has been charged by police for illegally entering a Bondi property prior to Christmas.
BARRETT’S BAPTISM OF FIRE
Barrett makes his debut as Manly coach, a 28-6 defeat to Canterbury. The Sea Eagles finish the year in 13th position, their worst result since 2004.
THIRD GAME UNDER SCRUTINY
Manly are defeated 22-10 by Parramatta at Brookvale Oval. This game is later investigated due to suspicions of match-fixing.
END OF AN ERA
Club legend and 2011 premiership captain Jamie Lyon announces he will retire at the end of the season.
PLAYERS BANNED FROM BROTHEL, PORN KINGS
The Daily Telegraph reveals senior Manly officials warned players to stop socialising with ex-brothel baron Eddie Hayson and porn shop magnate Con Ange.
WALKER COPS HUGE FINE
Sea Eagles star Dylan Walker was fined $10,000 and issued a breach notice after he injured his hand punching the front door of his northern beaches apartment following a night out with teammates.
MANLY GAMES INVESTIGATED
With the backing of the NSW Crime Commission, detectives from Strike Force Nuralda will investigate alleged match-fixing in three NRL games over the past two seasons, all involving Manly Sea Eagles.
KELLY MAKES WAY FOR CLEARY
Joe Kelly resigns as CEO and is replaced by Tim Cleary, the principal of St Augustine’s College in Brookvale.
CLEAR OUT COMPLETE
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