Stuart Davis 1981 to 1989

Wednesday, 11 May 2005 05:00

The Sea Eagles have a tradition of wingers who are players with personality and have therefore quickly endeared themselves to the Eagle faithfull.

Sprint champion John Bliss started the tradition in the clubs early years and such players as Ken Irvine, Rod rocketâ€? Jackson, Tom Mooney and more recently John Hopoate have admirably continued in Blisss footsteps over the years.

However in the early 1980s a young string bean of a player from the Manly juniors, probably more than any other, moved the mind and hearts of Manly fans. His name was Stuart Davis and his long skinny legs and slight frame earned him the nickname of 2 iron with earsâ€? but his real nic was The Bugâ€?.

The Bug made his debut on the wing for the Sea Eagles in 1981 and famously scored a late match winning try, pushing past a number of defenders, against Newtown at Henson Park. Stuart seemed out of place in first grade as marked big hulking goliaths like Terry Fahey & Ziggy Nitzcot but he never let the team down continually putting his meagre body on the line in defence and always grabbing the opportunity to score a try with his deceptive pace.

The Bug had trouble cementing a first grade spot over the next couple of seasons in the star studded Manly outfits of the early 1980s. As a result he moved to the Roosters in 1983 looking for a permanent first grade spot but he bleed Maroon & White and he returned to Manly in 1984.

Stuart was in and out of first grade over the years but cemented his spot and probably his legend in the stellar 1987 season. He was an integral part of a magnificent premiership winning team and he had a supurb match in the Grand Final which was dominated by Cliff Lyons and Kevin Ward.

Stuart was a geninune nice bloke and always had time for a quick chat and a beer with the fans at the Leagues Club after the game. One occasion after a match of the day at Brookvale I was at the club watching Channel 7, 6:30 PM replay which was being called by Rex Mossop. Rex mistakingly continually called Stuart Davis - Steve Daviesâ€? on the telecast. Steve Davies was the then world champion snooker player. I shared a laugh with Stuart about Rexs bloopers and he said the only thing he knew about snooker was that if you miss the pink you go for the brown.â€? I am not sure whether that was good advice or not.

The Bug retired after the 1989 season after 89 first grade games during which he crossed the try line 39 times. He played local footy for a number of years for Beacon Hill and for a time worked at Manly Vale Hotel. Post football was tough for Stuart but it is believed he now resides in country NSW.

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