Defiant Manly players hit out at relocation talk for under fire Sea Eagles
Manly want to get a few things straight with the NRL - they aren’t going anywhere. Not for a home final, not to the Central Coast, not anywhere.
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Hey NRL, leave us alone.
Manly’s representative stars have united to send a defiant message to the NRL — don’t deny us a home final and don’t even consider relocation.
The Sea Eagles are under fire on two fronts: there’s a push from host broadcaster Channel 9 to relocate a Sydney team and an NRL threat to strip Manly of a home final after a drama over security at Lottoland last weekend.
“If Manly were to leave, it would be devastating,” Sea Eagles forward Jake Trbojevic said.
Manly have played out of Brookvale Oval since 1947 but Nine believes a Sydney club needs to be pushed from Sydney — possibly the Sea Eagles.
NSW coach Brad Fittler has also suggested Manly should be relocated.
“Taking Manly to the Central Coast looks like a no-brainer to me,” Fittler said.
Sea Eagles prop Marty Taupau fired back at Fittler.
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“It’s a no-brainer that it won’t happen,’’ Taupau said.
“Look, it can’t happen. We’re not located right in the Sydney CBD. We are one of the richest clubs when it comes to history.
“It’s amazing the great talent that’s been produced through the juniors, the legends that are still in and around the club.
“I couldn’t see Manly be relocated anywhere. I can’t see any team being relocated but it’s not really up to me.”
Trbojevic was just as adamant the Sea Eagles should remain at their spiritual home of Brookvale Oval.
“I definitely don’t want Manly to relocate,” Trbojevic said. “I have lived here on the northern beaches my whole life and Manly is a big part of the community.
“Manly have a massive history. Some great players have worn the Manly jersey. Eight premierships. To see all that go would be devastating.”
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However, Trbojevic wants a life ban to be given to the Manly supporter who taunted Storm centre Will Chambers in the Brookvale Oval tunnel on Saturday.
The man was escorted from the ground and later released by police without charge.
The NRL is threatening to take a home final from Brookvale unless the club can guarantee security for players.
“It would be extremely devastating (to lose a final),” Trbojevic said. “We love playing there at Lottoland. If we got a home final, that would be great.
“I really, really hope it doesn’t get taken away from us because of that incident.
“It was very disappointing to see. You never want to see that at footy. We don’t need that at the game.
“As a Manly player, it is disappointing to see someone do that to an opposition player, especially at Lottoland.
“(He should) be banned, without doubt. You can’t be lashing out at players, no way. That’s a complete no, no.
“It was no fault of Manly but, as a club, we don’t condone or want to see that.”
Taupau would also be angry if Brookvale was stripped of a final.
“It would be disappointing but I wouldn’t be banking on that to happen,” Taupau said.
“That sort of behaviour is not Manly. It’s just disappointing.
“There are a lot of things I’d like to say about this individual and what it’s done to our club. It’s not rugby league in general.
“It won’t happen and our fans will back us. I don’t want to waste any air on him, it’s not really worth the time.
“I don’t even know if he was a Manly fan or just some random that came in and grabbed a beer.
“It’s just very disappointing for him to show that sort of behaviour against any rugby league player.”
Originally published as Defiant Manly players hit out at relocation talk for under fire Sea Eagles