How fitting that the first games of the 2021 NRL Finals Series sees Melbourne face Manly. Although Melbourne have only been in the competition since 1998, this rivalry has quickly become of the most fierce in the game.
Melbourne faced Manly for the first time in July 1998, and walked away with a 22-12 win. The Sea Eagles were unsuccessful in the two clashes of 1999, and then were mired in the Northern Eagles fiasco until 2003. That year, Manly had their first win over the Storm, 20-14 at Brookvale Oval.
The rivalry began to heat up in 2007. Melbourne stars Matt Orford and Steven Bell joined Manly, and the Sea Eagles won 13-12, thanks to an Orford field goal in their round 11 clash. The teams would meet again in that year’s Grand Final. After a tense first half, the Storm prevailed 34-8. Some of the Melbourne players, having lost the decider to Brisbane the year before, spent the final minutes of the game actually trying to encourage the Manly players to keep their heads up and look forward to 2008.
Manly must have taken the advice. Although Melbourne won both matches during the regular season, the Sea Eagles gained the ultimate revenge in the Grand Final, achieving a record 40-0 victory. Matt Orford was team captain, and Steven Bell scored the final try.
The following year, Melbourne ended Manly’s season with a 40-12 thumping in the first week of the finals. The Storm, unable to play for points in 2010, lost both clashes, but won the first encounter of 2011. The second match between the teams in 2011 has become known as the Battle of Brookvale. Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair were sent to the sin bin, yet opted to continue their confrontation while walking off the field. All Hell broke loose as a number of Manly players rushed in to join the melee, soon followed by the Melbourne players sitting on the bench! A number of players were suspended after the incident, including Glenn Stewart, who had to rely on Manly making the Grand Final if he was to play again in 2011.
Manly made it to the decider, and faced the NZ Warriors who upset Melbourne in the Grand Final qualifier, robbing fans of what at the time seemed like the ultimate grudge match. Manly won 24-10, and Glenn Stewart won the Clive Churchill Medal for being the best player on the field.
The last ten years has seen the rivalry continue as Manly fell from grace, and Melbourne remained a premiership powerhouse. Manly were again thrashed 40-12 in the 2012 finals, yet since then eight of their sixteen encounters have been decided by four points or less.
Tonight, the rivalry continues. Melbourne won 28-18 a few weeks back, limited the opportunities of Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic. If they can do that again, they’ll probably win the game. Manly have learned a few tricks since then, and may just have the attacking game to upset Melbourne. Either way, this game should be a cracker.
During the 2011 Battle of Brookvale games, Melbourne fullback Billy Slater cradled an injured Manly winger David Williams until the paramedics made it onto the field. Williams had broken a bone in his neck, but made a full recovery to play in the 2013 Grand Final. The incident shows the respect between the teams, as well as the compassion of rugby league players, even in the heat of the most brutal of battles.
What are your thoughts on the rivalry? Feel free to comment below.