Max Krilich 1970 to 1983

Wednesday, 11 January 2006 05:00

Affectionately known as the Bomb Throwerâ€ due to his European heritage, local junior Max Krilich was one of the cornerstones of the club during its golden years of the 1970s and early 1980s when the Sea Eagles played in 7 Grand Finals in his 14 seasons with the club.

The tough, durable hooker was originally the understudy to the club captain and first grade hooker Fred Jones but his talent did not go unnoticed and he was selected for City seconds in 1973 despite playing Reserve Grade for the Sea Eagles.

He eventually replaced Jones, the aging warhorse, as the clubs top rake in 1974. Max was part of the 1976 premiership winning team and he assumed the captaincy of the club the following year after Bob Fultons departure to the Roosters.

Krilichs skills as a captain were showcased during the clubs dramatic 1978 premiership victory when despite injury and having to play a number of replays the Sea Eagles charged to premiership glory. Many good judges credit the Bomb Throwers inspirational leadership during the finals series as one of the key contributions to the final victory.

Max gained international honours in the same year when he was selected for the 3rd test match against New Zealand. He was also chosen for the 1978 Kangaroo tour to the UK along with 7 team mates from the victorious Manly team a record for the number of players from the one club to be chosen for the Kangaroos.

Krilich played in the first two tests on the tour but was replaced by George Peponis. Although Max was consistently very good over the following years for the Sea Eagles he did not play another test for 4 years.

During this time the Bomb Thrower had to fight off a determined challenge to his hooking spot from Ray Brown who was recruited to the club in 1980 along Les Boyd and John Dorahy from Western Suburbs Magpies in controversial circumstances.

Despite losing the 1982 Grand Final to Parramatta this season proved to be the pinnacle year in Krilichs outstanding career. After 4 years in the international wilderness he was chosen to captain the 1982 Kangaroo side to the UK and France despite being on the reserves bench for the Grand Final decider behind Brown.

This Australian squad was the first side to go through the tour undefeated and became known as the Invincibles. Max was outstanding in the tests played and scored a remarkable individual try in one of the tests against the Pomms, which is long remembered as arguably the best try scored by a hooker in international football.

After a club record 334 grade games the Bomb Thrower hung up his well worn boots in 1983 due to a chronic neck injury. During his 14 seasons playing in the Maroon & White jumper he played 215 1st grade games scoring 32 tries, he kicked 39 goals and one field goal. Max represented his state on 8 occasions while he pulled on the Australian jumper 13 times.

Most Manly fans will remember Max either due to him being in the middle of the fibro/silvertail wars of the late 1970s and getting clobbered by a John Donnelly king hit at Brookie or for his toothless smiles and playing without a mouth guard. His teeth were knocked out early in his playing career and along with the many pints of blood he spilt on the field Max probably saw this as a badge of honour and a display of pride in his club.

Max got involved in club administration after he retired and started coaching lower grades sides however his coaching career was short lived as his 1991 reserve team went through the season without recording a victory.

A plumber by trade, Max has been involved in a number of business pursuits including operating a dry cleaning shop since his playing career ended. He is a very handy golfer playing off single figures at the Monash club.

Max Krilich one of the great Sea Eagles

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