tookey
First Grader
Geoff Toovey with the Manly Sea Eagles ahead of the 2013 grand final.
GEOFF Toovey was mistaken for a ball boy when he made his debut for Manly in 1988.
Sure, he was always the smallest — a 168cm, 70kg halfback with blonde hair.
But he was always, always, the toughest.
Through 238 games as a player, 104 matches as a coach and countless training sessions, Toovey never gave an inch.
But no more.
Barring a miracle, the Geoff Toovey era will end at 6pm on Sunday after the Sea Eagles play Cronulla at Remondis Stadium.
He may be leaving, but Toovey will never be forgotten at Manly.
“He is one of the greatest Manly players of all time,” fellow Seas Eagles great Steve Menzies said.
“Tooves is one of the toughest players ever — not just at Manly but ever.
“That is something that will stand out for me.
“He’s not the biggest player but he would take on the big guys.
“Tooves was old-school — he could get knocked around but get back up again. His leadership qualities as a player and coach have been inspirational.”
Toovey won the Clive Churchill Medal after Manly’s 1996 grand final win over St George and played in two other losing grand finals.
As a player, Toovey was one of the toughest ever and won a premiership with Manly in 1996.
“Geoff Toovey is one of the most highly decorated players ever to represent Manly,” said Manly godfather Ken Arthurson. “And he is one of the most highly regarded.
“People that know me know how much I put in loyalty and there has been no more loyal bloke than Geoff Toovey.
“He has been magnificent for Manly and I hope he stays involved in the club in some form or another.
“I was one of the judges to pick the 12 toughest men to ever play rugby league. I certainly voted for Geoff, as did most of the others and he was included. For a bloke of his stature, he was so tough.”
Whether with the ball or in attack, Toovey could be devastating.
Toovey may stay involved at the club but it is more likely there will be a clean break.
He may pop up at another club. But his Manly legacy with forever live.
“He is no doubt one of the toughest players to ever play rugby league,” said former Manly teammate David Gillespie.
“Tooves was small in stature but had a huge heart.
“He just kept bouncing. I saw him cop some terrible punishment on a footy field but nothing ever stopped him.
“He was one of a kind. I am often asked who were the toughest players I played alongside and I always give the same answer — Geoff Toovey and Terry Lamb, two of the smallest blokes to ever play the game.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...ll-end-on-sunday/story-fni3gnk1-1227511671307