Which is strange because next month he turns 38. Only Yoda had a longer playing career, although he was likely to have been a halfback - not a forward like Menzies.
"Guys who I've played with have told me about it," shrugs Menzies. "They have woken up Monday morning after a game and couldn't move and couldn't get out of bed. I have never felt that. Some sore shoulders now and then. That's about it."
Then he says: "It doesn't bother me. I'm proud to be still playing at this age." Forget about the curious case of Benjamin Button. What about the curious case of Beaver Menzies, the rugby league player who becomes younger with time? We meet at the Freshwater Club in Harbord on Sydney's northern beaches, just around the corner from his house that he and wife Suyin leased out since he left Manly after winning the 2008 premiership to play with Bradford.
It was a "50-50 proposition" that he would stay beyond a season. Then he played another one. Then he signed with Catalans and played for them.
That was going to be it. All over. Back to the beaches.
He'd gone so far to tell the tenants in his Harbord home he was returning to Australia and gave them six weeks notice. Then Catalans coach Trent Robinson - the former assistant to Brian Smith at the Roosters - asked if the ageless back-rower wanted to go around again.
Next season, Menzies is set to become the oldest player in the history of the Super League, surpassing another Australian, Brad Davis, who had made a comeback for Castleford in 2006. He was 38 years and six months old.
"I had to ring the tenants and ask if they wanted to stay on," Menzies laughs. The truth is, he looks exactly the same as when he left.
He smiles. "I'm a bit heavier," he says, squeezing the tiniest love handle known to man. "A few more wrinkles, a few crows feet."
In fact, he doesn't look too much different to the gangly, sandy-haired kid running off a 33-year-old Cliff Lyons, streaking down field on those long runs that would prompt Ray Warren to bellow: "Shut the bottom gate! He'll run out of Brookvale!"
"I look back at old footage from 1995 and how I ran the ball then," he says. "I'm a fair bit slower of course, but I've improved in other areas. I know where to be at what time."
Menzies is still doing his thing in the Super League, because there was no way in the world he could've done it against his beloved Manly, the club he adored as a kid, running to collect the cardboard corner post on full-time at Brookvale Oval before trying to touch one of his heroes.
He forged his own legend, but in 2008 he was told they could not offer him another contract because of salary cap pressures.
"I wanted to still play for them," he said. "Was I hurt? I was disappointed but that's the business. I played with them for so long. But I think I could still compete at that level. It's not that I didn't feel like I could compete at the NRL. I just didn't want to play against Manly. It was my decision to not play against them."
He thought coach Des Hasler would've been the same, but understands why he has joined Canterbury. Since returning to his home area, Menzies has been shocked at how dark "the vibe" has been over Hasler's shock exit from the club.
"I thought Des would stop instead of coaching another team," Menzies offers. "Seeing him in a blue and white shirt the other day was weird."
It certainly isn't familiar as the sight of Menzies running wide, surging down field, scoring tries.
You suspect next season won't be his last. You also suspect it won't be a Monday morning when he just knows that it is time to retire.
He has a young family with daughter Miller, three and a half years, and 15-month-old son Harper.
Will Suyin make the call? "It will be a tough decision," he says. "I don't think she would say 'stop'. If the kids were older and about to go to school, she would want us to come home."
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/no-end-in-sight-for-steve-menzies/story-e6frexnr-1226198221154
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| byso said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:33 2011 |
Nice story. Hopefully he has the drive to start as assistant coach for tooves |
| the mauler said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:36 2011 |
No end of Beaver. That's great news!!! |
| Berkeley_Eagle said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:40 2011 |
BEEAVEEEER !!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLlNX00huGs |
| Masked Eagle said the following on Fri Nov 18 8:52 2011 |
When I spoke to the great man a few weeks ago (memory flashback to one of the greatest days of my life!!!!!), he said his Mrs would kill him if he said he wanted to play another year. |
| Dan79 said the following on Fri Nov 18 9:07 2011 |
When will this great man be knighted? |
| Berkeley_Eagle said the following on Fri Nov 18 9:18 2011 |
Sir Beaver |
| globaleagle said the following on Fri Nov 18 9:25 2011 |
A positive Dt article? Is it opposite day in aust this friday?
Ahhh Beaver, let him do what he wants to do. Someone needs to get his dna if he still wakes up not really sore.
Loved reliving that youtube vid :)
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| MadMarcus said the following on Fri Nov 18 10:02 2011 |
Somebody must have hacked their website. |
| manlyfan. said the following on Fri Nov 18 10:15 2011 |
viva la Beaver ! |
| Daniel said the following on Fri Nov 18 10:37 2011 |
The never ending beaver |
| ManlyBacker said the following on Fri Nov 18 11:12 2011 |
Over many decades of watching Manly and lots of special highlights, Beaver's try in the GF will probably go down as the greatest moment in my supporting memory. I just can't see it being topped. |
| Mals said the following on Fri Nov 18 12:01 2011 |
This sentence sums up the Manly legend Steve Menzies
"I just didn't want to play against Manly" |
| Jatz Crackers said the following on Fri Nov 18 12:25 2011 |
I would suggest that plans should be put in place now for Beaver to take over the membership drive from Vautin at some point. Imagine the success Beaver would have if you received a message from him asking for you to join or renew your membership.
Who can so no to Beaver I ask you. |
| HappilyManly said the following on Fri Nov 18 13:03 2011 |
Quote From: 'Jatz Crackers'
I would suggest that plans should be put in place now for Beaver to take over the membership drive from Vautin at some point. Imagine the success Beaver would have if you received a message from him asking for you to join or renew your membership.
Who can so no to Beaver I ask you.
Agree!!!
This year it wasn't Fatty, but the 2 wonderfull halves, Foz and DCE, that got the Membership Numbers up.
Also the vicarious Bulldogs Board must have 'Got Their Wings' - Manly-like :P
May they suffer the same fate as Icarus, and all those that attempted to rip Manly apart :bash: |
| BOZO said the following on Fri Nov 18 13:12 2011 |
Beaver is a great ambassador for the Manly Sea Eagles !!! |
| Manly Daly said the following on Fri Nov 18 21:29 2011 |
Quote From: 'ManlyBacker'
Over many decades of watching Manly and lots of special highlights, Beaver's try in the GF will probably go down as the greatest moment in my supporting memory. I just can't see it being topped.
Was the pass a little forward ??
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| mike walker said the following on Fri Nov 18 21:35 2011 |
why the beaver is not regarded as one of the modern greats of the game i do not know.his record speaks for itself,number of club games,represented his state and country,number of tries and not a single blemish in his career.what it doesn't show is the balance,poise,and footwork of his running style,the pace,anticipation and ability to run into holes,the timing and technique of his tackling or that he is also a very decent human who" just wanted to live his dream of playing for manly".weren't we lucky to of had him.gotta be our greatest.
cheers mike |
| Vyssini said the following on Fri Nov 18 21:38 2011 |
Quote From: 'mike walker'
why the beaver is not regarded as one of the modern greats of the game i do not know.his record speaks for itself,number of club games,represented his state and country,number of tries and not a single blemish in his career.what it doesn't show is the balance,poise,and footwork of his running style,the pace,anticipation and ability to run into holes,the timing and technique of his tackling or that he is also a very decent human who" just wanted to live his dream of playing for manly".weren't we lucky to of had him.gotta be our greatest.
cheers mike
Well said MW- Sir Beaver GMPOAT= (Greatest Manly Player Of All Time)!!! |
| SeaEagleRock8 said the following on Fri Nov 18 22:28 2011 |
Quote From: 'Manly Daly'
Quote From: 'ManlyBacker'
Over many decades of watching Manly and lots of special highlights, Beaver's try in the GF will probably go down as the greatest moment in my supporting memory. I just can't see it being topped.
Was the pass a little forward ??
Wash your mouth out.
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| Utility Player said the following on Sat Nov 19 11:49 2011 |
In Beaver we thrust |
| Mals said the following on Sat Nov 19 19:55 2011 |
Glad to hear there is now a Menzies Bar at the Leagues club :-D |
| Eagles2nv said the following on Sat Nov 19 20:15 2011 |
The beaver has always been my favourite player. I remember when I was young kicking a footy in the backyard with my lil bros, we would all pretend to be beaver.
Long live the beaver! |
| arty said the following on Sat Nov 19 20:15 2011 |
Quote From: 'SeaEagleRock8'
Quote From: 'Manly Daly'
[quote='ManlyBacker' pid='364415' dateline='1321575164']
Over many decades of watching Manly and lots of special highlights, Beaver's try in the GF will probably go down as the greatest moment in my supporting memory. I just can't see it being topped.
Was the pass a little forward ??
Wash your mouth out.
Beaver did have to reach back to get it, swivel and dive to score. We can all remember and admire his athleticism. However if he was level with Robbo at the time of passing he would not have needed to reach backwards for the ball.The ball would have been ahead of him, not behind.
[/quote]
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| Chip and Chase said the following on Sat Nov 19 20:50 2011 |
Quote From: 'Daniel'
The never ending beaver
Bottomless Beaver ? |
| Moondog said the following on Sat Nov 19 21:09 2011 |
Quote From: 'Chip and Chase'
Quote From: 'Daniel'
The never ending beaver
Bottomless Beaver ?
Maybe that's why he can't see his end?
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| eagles2win said the following on Sat Nov 19 21:33 2011 |
Theres a try he scored last season for Catalan and he still went the length of the field!
The bloke is a freak! |
| Phoenix said the following on Sat Nov 19 22:29 2011 |
Quote From: 'mike walker'
why the beaver is not regarded as one of the modern greats of the game i do not know.his record speaks for itself,number of club games,represented his state and country,number of tries and not a single blemish in his career.what it doesn't show is the balance,poise,and footwork of his running style,the pace,anticipation and ability to run into holes,the timing and technique of his tackling or that he is also a very decent human who" just wanted to live his dream of playing for manly".weren't we lucky to of had him.gotta be our greatest.
cheers mike
Isn't he a "Great"? |
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