2008 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles season

February 2014 February 2014 2008 NRL NRL 2nd 20 7 755 367 Secretary AUS Des Hasler AUS Matt Orford AUS Jamie Lyon (vice-captain) Brookvale Oval AUS Brett Stewart (22) AUS Matt Orford (78) AUS Matt Orford (169) 2007 2009 The 2008 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles season was the 62nd in the club's history. Coached by Des Hasler and captained by Matt Orford, they competed in the National Rugby League's 2008 Telstra Premiership. Season summary With the departure of hooker Michael Monaghan, manyJune 2018 questioned whether the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles could be as competitive as in 2007 and losses in the first 2 rounds seemed to confirm this. Manly Warringah's first win came in round 3 at Brookvale with a 52–6 thrashing of the New Zealand Warriors and followed this up with a 20–2 shutout of South Sydney. In the round 5 grand final rematch against the Storm, Manly were soundly beaten 26–4 and doubt about their premiership credentials resurfaced. In Heritage Round (Rd 6) Manly Warringah had a season defining last gasp win over bitter rivals Parramatta, with Manly overcoming injuries before and during the game including one to winger Michael Bani who had to be stretchered off the ground after being knocked out. Manly Warringah seemed to use this game as a springboard and entered a dangerous run of form, notching up numerous impressive wins over top teams such as a 30–12 win over the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium, a 42–0 annihilation of the Sydney Roosters at Brookvale Oval and a 34–14 win over the Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park in round 17. In round 18 Manly avenged their opening round loss to bitter rivals and eventual preliminary finalists Cronulla with a 34–6 hammering of them at Toyota Stadium. In round 19, Manly once again faced historical rivals Parramatta and in a repeat of round 6, Manly lost halfback Matt Orford and lock Luke Williamson before the game, and after only minutes five-eighth Jamie Lyon and prop Jason King were forced off the field with injury. Despite the setbacks and an early challenge from the Eels, Manly ran away with the game and finished 28–10 winners. Some hiccups against the Roosters in round 20, the Storm in round 22 and the Rabbitohs in round 23 meant Manly finished the regular season tied first with Melbourne and Cronulla but second on points differential and Manly missed out on claiming their first minor premiership since 1997. In the qualifying final Manly faced 7th placed St. George at Brookvale. This game was club legend Steve Menzies' last game at Brookvale and he opened the scoring with an unusual charge down try in which after kicking ahead to himself and falling over, the ball bounced up and hit him in the head before he finally grounded it. Manly Warringah were easy 38–6 winners and departing Dragons centre Mark Gasnier was seen on the sidelines crying. After getting the week off, Manly faced the history-making New Zealand Warriors whose late season charge got them into 8th place where they became the first 8th placed team to advance past qualifying finals with a dramatic and rare defeat of the Storm at Olympic Park. Despite an early challenge, Manly Warringah crushed the Warriors 32–6 and showcased their trademark wall of defence and attacking flair. With the win, Manly Warringah qualified for their 17th grand final, where in a rematch of the 2007 decider, they would play the Melbourne Storm who had bounced back from the Warriors' loss with wins over the Brisbane Broncos and Cronulla Sharks. The story was very different for the Sea Eagles this time around as they decimated the Storm 40–0 to win their seventh premiership in front of 80,388 at ANZ Stadium. It was Michael Monaghan's replacement, the previously unknown Matt Ballin who scored the first try of the match. The game was also notable for winger Michael Robertson's hat-trick and retiring legend Steve Menzies' try 10 minutes from full-time, which he scored after coming back onto the field to replace the injured Steve Matai. Manly prop forward Brent Kite was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal after a powerhouse display which included a classy try in the 58th minute. This is the largest winning margin in a grand final in rugby league history.AAP Manly cruise to grand final win http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/manly-cruise-to-grand-final-win/story-e6frf3ru-1111117668917 20 February 2014 Fox Sports 5 October 2008 Regular season Saturday 15 March Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 10 – 16 2008 NRL Rd.1 - Manly vs Cronulla-Sutherland Cronulla 16 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Tries: Michael Bani, Anthony Watmough Goals: Matt Orford (1/2) Tries: Bryson Goodwin, Brett Kearney Goals: Luke Covell (4/5) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 15,424 Jarred Maxwell Saturday 22 March Newcastle Knights Newcastle 16 13 – 12 2008 NRL Rd.2 - Newcastle vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Richard Faʻaoso, Chris Houston Goals: Kurt Gidley (2/2) Field Goals: Scott Dureau (1) Tries: Michael Bani, Jamie Lyon Goals: Matt Orford (2/3) EnergyAustralia Stadium, Newcastle 18,117 Ben Cummins Monday 31 March Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 52 – 6 2008 NRL Rd.3 - Manly vs New Zealand New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors Tries: Michael Robertson (3), Brett Stewart (3), Anthony Watmough (2), Michael Bani, Matt Orford Goals: Matt Orford (6/8) Jamie Lyon (0/1) Luke Williamson (0/1) Tries: Lance Hohaia Goals: Michael Witt (1/1) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 10,175 Sean Hampstead Sunday 6 April Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 20 – 2 2008 NRL Rd.4 - Manly vs South Sydney Souths 16 South Sydney Rabbitohs Tries: Adam Cuthbertson, Jamie Lyon, Brett Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (4/4) Tries: Goals: Nathan Merritt (1/1) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 14,426 Shayne Hayne Friday 11 April Melbourne Storm Melbourne 16 26 – 4 2008 NRL Rd.5 - Melbourne vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Billy Slater (2), Ryan Hoffman, Greg Inglis, Anthony Quinn Goals: Cameron Smith (3/6) Tries: Michael Bani Goals: Matt Orford (0/1) Olympic Park Stadium, Melbourne 13,632 Tony Archer Friday 18 April Parramatta Eels Parramatta 16 16 – 20 2008 NRL Rd.6 - Parramatta vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Luke Burt, Chad Robinson Goals: Luke Burt (4/4) Tries: Michael Bani, Heath L'Estrange, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (2/4) Parramatta Stadium, Sydney 14,025 Shayne Hayne Saturday 26 April Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 30 – 22 2008 NRL Rd.7 - Manly vs Bulldogs Bulldogs 16 Bulldogs Tries: Steven Bell, Adam Cuthbertson, Glen Hall, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (5/6) Tries: Brent Crisp, Heka Nanai, Sonny Bill Williams, Tim Winitana Goals: Brent Crisp (3/4) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 15,229 Tony Archer Bye Sunday 11 May Brisbane Broncos Brisbane 16 12 – 30 2008 NRL Rd.9 - Brisbane vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Michael Ennis, Denan Kemp Goals: Michael Ennis (2/3) Tries: Steven Bell, Brent Kite, Steve Menzies, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (5/6) Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 27,469 Shayne Hayne Saturday 17 May Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 38 – 6 2008 NRL Rd.10 - Manly vs North Queensland Nth Qld 16 North Queensland Cowboys Tries: Adam Cuthbertson (2), Michael Robertson (2), Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Josh Perry, David Williams Goals: Matt Orford (5/7) Tries: Ben Farrar Goals: John Williams (1/1) Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford 9,343 Ben Cummins Friday 23 May Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 18 – 20 2008 NRL Rd.11 - Manly vs St George Illawarra St George 16 St George Illawarra Dragons Tries: Steve Menzies, Michael Robertson, David Williams Goals: Matt Orford (3/3) Tries: Ben Hornby, Brett Morris, Jason Nightingale, Beau Scott Goals: Jamie Soward (2/4) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 12,058 Jason Robinson Friday 30 May Canberra Raiders Canberra 16 18 – 31 2008 NRL Rd.12 - Canberra vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Colin Best, Todd Carney, Trevor Thurling Goals: Todd Carney (3/3) Tries: Matt Ballin, Steve Matai, Steve Menzies, Michael Robertson, Anthony Watmough Goals: Matt Orford (5/6) Field Goals: Matt Orford (1) Canberra Stadium, Canberra 13,120 Sean Hampstead Sunday 8 June Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 42 – 0 2008 NRL Rd.13 - Manly vs Sydney Roosters Easts 16 Sydney Roosters Tries: Steven Bell, David Williams, Nick Bradley-Qalilawa, Jamie Lyon, Matt Orford, Anthony Watmough Goals: Matt Orford (5/8) Tries: Goals: Brookvale Oval, Sydney 13,842 Shayne Hayne Bye Sunday 22 June New Zealand Warriors New Zealand 16 14 – 20 2008 NRL Rd.15 - New Zealand vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Aidan Kirk, Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei Goals: Michael Witt (1/3) Tries: Matt Ballin, Brent Kite, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (2/4) Mt Smart Stadium, Auckland 7,141 Tony De Las Heras Saturday 28 June Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 28 – 12 2008 NRL Rd.16 - Manly vs Newcastle Newcastle 16 Newcastle Knights Tries: Steven Bell, Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai, Anthony Watmough, David Williams Goals: Matt Orford (4/5) Tries: James McManus (2), Cooper Vuna Goals: Wes Naiqama (0/3) Bluetongue Stadium, Gosford 13,798 Shayne Hayne Friday 4 July Gold Coast Titans Gold Coast Titans 16 14 – 34 2008 NRL Rd.17 - Gold Coast vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Anthony Laffranchi (2) Goals: Mat Rogers (3/3) Tries: Brett Stewart (2), Steven Bell, Jamie Lyon, Steve Menzies, David Williams Goals: Matt Orford (5/6) Skilled Park, Gold Coast 21,374 Jarred Maxwell Saturday 12 July Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Cronulla 16 6 – 34 2008 NRL Rd.18 - Cronulla-Sutherland vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Paul Gallen Goals: Luke Covell (1/1) Tries: Glenn Stewart (2), Matt Ballin, Josh Perry, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (3/4) Goals: Jamie Lyon (2/2) Toyota Stadium, Sydney 18,217 Jason Robinson Friday 18 July Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 28 – 10 2008 NRL Rd.19 - Manly vs Parramatta Parramatta 16 Parramatta Eels Tries: Steve Matai (2), David Williams, Matt Ballin, Anthony Watmough Goals: David Williams (2/6) Tries: Mark Riddell, Tony Williams Goals: Krisnan Inu (1/2) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 18,970 Shayne Hayne Sunday 27 July Sydney Roosters Easts 16 34 – 12 2008 NRL Rd.20 - Sydney Roosters vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Amos Roberts (2), Mitchell Aubusson, Shaun Kenny-Dowall, Sam Perrett, Iosia Soliola Goals: Craig Fitzgibbon (5/6) Tries: Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart Goals: Steve Matai (2/2) Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 22,681 Jason Robinson Friday 1 August Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 30 – 10 2008 NRL Rd.21 - Manly vs Penrith Penrith 16 Penrith Panthers Tries: Steven Bell, Glen Hall, Steve Menzies, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart, David Williams Goals: Steve Matai (3/5) David Williams (0/1) Tries: Michael Jennings, Nathan Smith Goals: Michael Gordon (1/2) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 7,862 Shayne Hayne Friday 8 August Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 10 – 16 2008 NRL Rd.22 - Manly vs Melbourne Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm Tries: Glen Hall, David Williams Goals: Steve Matai (1/2) Tries: Cooper Cronk, Israel Folau, Matt Geyer Goals: Cameron Smith (2/3) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 18,442 Tony Archer Sunday 17 August South Sydney Rabbitohs Souths 16 40 – 32 2008 NRL Rd.23 - South Sydney vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Nathan Merritt (3), Roy Asotasi, Issac Luke, Jamie Simpson, Fetuli Talanoa Goals: Issac Luke (4/6) Chris Sandow (2/2) Tries: Steve Menzies (2), Brett Stewart (2), Steven Bell, Josh Perry Goals: Steve Matai (2/3) Matt Orford (2/3) Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 11,000 Steve Lyons Saturday 23 August Wests Tigers Wests Tigers 16 16 – 48 2008 NRL Rd.24 - Wests Tigers vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Daine Laurie (2), Beau Ryan Goals: Brett Hodgson (2/3) Tries: Glen Hall (2), Steve Menzies (2), Brett Stewart (2), Steven Bell, Michael Robertson, Glenn Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (5/8) Steve Matai (1/1) ANZ Stadium, Sydney 27,564 Tony Archer Monday 1 September Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 28 – 10 2008 NRL Rd.25 - Manly vs Gold Coast Gold Coast Titans 16 Gold Coast Titans Tries: Steve Matai (2), Glen Hall, Brent Kite, Brett Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (4/5) Tries: Jordan Atkins, Gavin Cooper Goals: Scott Prince (1/2) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 14,755 Jason Robinson Saturday 23 August Penrith Panthers Penrith 16 16 – 34 2008 NRL Rd.26 - Penrith vs Manly Manly 16 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Tries: Paul Aiton, Tony Puletua, Nathan Smith Goals: Michael Gordon (2/3) Tries: David Williams (2), Steven Bell, Steve Menzies, Brett Stewart, Glenn Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (4/5) Jamie Lyon (1/1) CUA Stadium, Sydney 6,086 Jarred Maxwell Finals 2008 NRL season results#Finals Qualifying Final Saturday 13 September Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 38 – 6 2008 NRL Qualifying Final - Manly vs St George Illawarra St George 16 St George Illawarra Dragons Tries: Heath L'Estrange, Steve Menzies, Josh Perry, Michael Robertson, Brett Stewart, Anthony Watmough, David Williams Goals: Matt Orford (5/7) Steve Menzies (0/1) Tries: Mark Gasnier Goals: Mark Gasnier (1/1) Brookvale Oval, Sydney 19,227 Shayne Hayne Preliminary Final Saturday 27 September Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 32 – 6 2008 NRL Preliminary Final - Manly vs New Zealand New Zealand 16 New Zealand Warriors Tries: Brett Stewart (2), Steve Matai, Steve Menzies, Matt Orford, Michael Robertson, Glenn Stewart Goals: Matt Orford (1/5) Steve Matai (1/2) Tries: Aidan Kirk Goals: Lance Hohaia (1/1) Sydney Football Stadium, Sydney 32,095 Shayne Hayne Grand Final 2008 NRL Grand Final #eeeeee Sunday 5 October Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Manly 16 40 – 0 2008 NRL Grand Final - Manly-Warringah vs Melbourne Melbourne 16 Melbourne Storm Tries: Michael Robertson (3) Matt Ballin Brent Kite David Williams Steve Menzies Steven Bell Goals: Matt Orford (0/2) Steve Matai (2/4) Jamie Lyon (2/2) Tries: Goals: ANZ Stadium, Sydney 80,388 Tony Archer Brent Kite Manly 16 _whitehorizontal _2whitestripes FFFFFF 800000 FFFFFF FFFFFF 800000 Manly-Warringah _purplesides _bluetop FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF 800080 FFFFFF Melbourne FB 1Brett StewartLW 2Michael RobertsonRC 3Steven BellLC 4Steve MataiRW 5David WilliamsFE 6Jamie LyonHB 7Matt Orford (c)PR 8Brent KiteHK 9Matt BallinPR 10Josh PerrySR 11Anthony WatmoughSR 12Glenn HallLK 13Glenn StewartSubstitutions:IC 14Heath L'EstrangeIC 15Mark BryantIC 16Jason KingIC 17Steve MenziesCoach:AUS Des Hasler FB 1Billy SlaterRW 2Steve TurnerLC 3Matt GeyerRC 4Israel FolauLW 5Anthony QuinnFE 6Greg InglisHB 7Cooper Cronk (c)PR 8Jeff LimaHK 9Russ AitkenPR 10Brett WhiteSR 11Michael CrockerSR 12Jeremy SmithLK 13Dallas JohnsonSubstitutions:IC 14Scott AndersonIC 15Adam BlairIC 16Sika ManuIC 17Antonio KaufusiCoach:AUS Craig Bellamy 1st Half The grand final's first quarter was played end to end with each side able to hold the other's attacking opportunities out. In the twenty-fourth minute the Sea Eagles' hooker Matt Ballin at close-range ran from dummy-half and crashed over the try-line. After the video referee ruled the grounding successful, Matt Orford's conversion attempt hit the upright and missed so the score remained 4 - 0 with fifteen minutes of the first half remaining. Nine minutes later, the Sea Eagles were again on the attack and from ten metres out, moved the ball through the hands to the left wing where Michael Robertson dived over in the corner. The video referee was again called upon to examine the try, which was ruled to have been successfully scored just as Robertson's feet were being dragged onto the sideline by a defender. Orford's difficult kick went wide, so the Sea Eagles' lead remained at 8-0 with under five minutes of the half remaining which were played out with no further points scored. 2nd Half In the forty-seventh minute, The Sea Eagles were within twenty metres of the Storm's try-line when Matt Orford at first receiver put a grubber kick into the left corner which bounced up perfectly for Michael Robertson racing through on the wing to grab and dive over for his second try. Kicking duty was handed to Steve Matai who coolly converted Robertson's try from next to the sideline, bringing his side's lead to 14–0. Three minutes later, and from a similar attacking position, the Sea Eagles kept the ball alive, a pass from Brett Stewart fifteen metres out arriving at the feet of Steve Matai who, with only one defender before him, picked it up and passed to Michael Robertson to dive over again in the same corner. Matai's second sideline conversion attempt missed, so the Sea Eagles were leading 18–0. In the fifty-seventh minute the Sea Eagles were again down in the Storm's half and on the last tackle decided to run the ball, which was kept alive and passed through seven sets of hands before going to a charging Brent Kite who stretched out of the tackle and slammed the ball down under the posts.Turgeon Luke Manly exorcise their grand final demons http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/10/06/17107_gold-coast-sport.html 27 December 2011 goldcoast.com.au 6 October 2008 Matai kicked the easy conversion and it was sea Eagles 24, Storm 0. Ten minutes later the Sea Eagles got another try when, from within the Storm's ten-metre line, they moved the ball out to David Williams on the right wing to dive over in the corner. The conversion attempt by Matai went wide so the Sea Eagles were leading 28–0. In the seventy-second minute the Sea Eagles ran the ball down toward the left corner with Robertson passing back in to Steve Menzies, who was playing in his 349th and final NRL match to crash over for a try, his 180th. Jamie Lyon took over the goal kicking and converted Menzies' try to give Manly a 34–0 lead. However, the finale was to come at the seventy-five-minute mark when from their forty-metre line, Sea Eagles second rower Glenn Hall burst into open space, passing back inside for Brett Stewart who was running through in support. Stewart was chased down just short of the try-line by Storm halfback Cooper Cronk, but he managed to flick the ball back without looking into the arms of Steven Bell to also get a try in his last game at the club. Jamie Lyon's simple conversion put the final score at 40–0. It was at the time the fourth-biggest loss in the Storm's history. The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles defeated the Melbourne Storm 40–0, scoring eight tries, four of which were converted. This is the highest Rugby League Grand Final margin in Australian history, eclipsing the 1975 NSWRFL season's Grand Final where Eastern Suburbs defeated St George, 38–0 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.Manly thump Storm 40–0 in grand final 5 October 2008 http://nrl.com.au/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=53127 NRL.com 5 October 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081008003401/http://www.nrl.com.au/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=53127 8 October 2008 dead dmy-all It is also the first time that a team has been kept scoreless in a Grand Final since the 1978 NSWRL Grand Final Replay, where Cronulla lost to Manly 16–0. Sea Eagles forward Brent Kite was named man-of-the-match and received the Clive Churchill Medal.Clive Churchill Medallist Brent Kite flies high in NRL grand final http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/kite-flies-high-as-top-eagle/story-e6frep9o-1111117670449 4 June 2012 The Courier-Mail 5 October 2008 The 2008 Grand Final was the last match for Super League-bound Steve Menzies of Manly. Playing in this match brought his career games played to 349, equalling the current record from Terry Lamb. Player statistics Note: Games and (sub) show total games played, e.g. 1 (1) is 2 games played. Player Games (sub) Tries Goals FG PointsNZL Jack Afamasaga 1 (1) 1 4AUS Matt Ballin 27 5 20AUS Michael Bani 8 5 20AUS Steven Bell 24 11 44FIJ Nick Bradley-Qalilawa 2 2 8AUS Mark Bryant (25) AUS Adam Cuthbertson 2 (19) 4 16AUS Glen Hall 11 (9) 6 24AUS Jason King 7 (8) AUS Brent Kite 25 (2) 4 16AUS Heath L'Estrange (24) 2 8AUS Jamie Lyon (vc) 20 (1) 5 5/6 30NZL Steve Matai 21 7 12/19 52ITA Vic Mauro (1) AUS Steve Menzies 17 (9) 13 0/1 52AUS Phil Morwood (1) AUS Shane Neumann 1 AUS Matt Orford (c) 26 3 78/112 1 169AUS Josh Perry 25 (1) 4 16SCO Michael Robertson 27 18 72AUS Jeff Robson 2 AUS Brett Stewart 24 22 88AUS Glenn Stewart 26 7 28NZL David Vaealiki 2 AUS Anthony Watmough 22 8 32AUS David Williams 20 14 2/7 60AUS Luke Williamson 11 (7) 0/1 TOTAL 140 97/146 1 755 Representative Players International 2008 Centenary Rugby League Test 2008 Rugby League World Cup Australia – Brent Kite, Josh Perry, Brett Stewart*, Glenn Stewart, Anthony Watmough, David Williams New Zealand – Steve Matai Fiji – Nick Bradley-Qalilawa Scotland – Michael Robertson * Brett Stewart was originally selected in Australia's 2008 World Cup squad but withdrew with a shoulder injury.Broncos duo join Kangaroos https://web.archive.org/web/20171006162004/http://www.nrl.com/News/Latest/tabid/10244/default.aspx?id=53227 6 October 2017 @ NRL Official Site, 16 Oct 2008 State 2008 State of Origin series New South Wales – Brett Stewart City vs Country Country Origin – Glenn Stewart References 30em 2008 Category:2008 NRL season by club Category:2008 in sport in Sydney