Eagles to party all week - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Eagles to party all week

By David Beniuk 06/10/2008 07:45:44 PM Comments (0)

Manly's celebrations are set to continue all week, but are unlikely to extend to an appearance by Sea Eagles legend Steve Menzies in next year's World Club Challenge against Leeds.

The party on Sydney's northern beaches was continuing on Monday after the NRL premiers returned to a rapturous reception at Brookvale following the record 40-0 thrashing of arch rivals Melbourne to win their first title since 1996.

"I think it will be a little bit of partying to go yet, I think everyone will be staying together," Sea Eagles hooker Matt Ballin told reporters.

"I'd say we'll be sticking together having a few beers the next couple of days."

The victorious Manly players partied until around 5.30am on Monday, but club CEO Grant Mayer described the celebrations as "controlled".

"Most of the players were sort of tucked away by five, 5.30, (it was) pretty responsible," Mayer told AAP.

"It was good fun, there was just a great buzz at the leagues club.

"It was controlled. By the time you get back to the leagues club and the time that the players leave, it's not that long a time.

"They've got their families there, I think it's just jubilation more than anything else ... I think today they'll go and lock themselves away and have a good time."

Non-drinker and Clive Churchill medallist Brent Kite fronted the media at Sea Eagles headquarters on Monday morning, undoubtedly with a clearer head than most team-mates.

"They're all right, they know where I stand," the teetotaller said.

"There's enough emotion going around to really enjoy last night."

Menzies probably has the most reason to party as he prepares to quit the Sea Eagles for Bradford after 16 years, a record-equalling 349 games and two premierships, but information on the 34-year-old's celebrations was hard to come by.

"It was just good for him to have his family there and all his friends and obviously the footy guys and the coaching staff ... so it was a great send-off for him and a fairytale send-off, you couldn't ask for anything better," Ballin said.

"He signed that many autographs and photos, which he's happy to do, so he had a great night."

Mayer said it was unlikely Menzies would make a one-off appearance for Manly against Danny Buderus's side Leeds, who beat St Helens 24-16 in Saturday night's Super League grand final.

"At the end of the day he's contracted to Manly until the 31st of October, after that he's a Bradford player," Mayer said.

"That would be about round three for Bradford so it's a pretty big consideration.

"I just can't see how the club or the player would allow that to happen.

"It's a nice romantic dream but I can't see it happening."

Meanwhile, Kite said he had not been motivated by any outside influences, including the chance to prove NSW and Storm coach Craig Bellamy he was wrong not to pick the Test prop for the Blues.

"We had a job to do for Manly and we didn't have any external motivating factors, not even last year," he said of the 34-8 loss to the Storm 12 months ago.

"There was no talk of revenge or redemption, it was just us putting our best performance together.

"(Coach) Dessy (Hasler) said our Everest now is us, we all put our best performance in and we're capable of doing something special."

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

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