Berkeley_Eagle
Current Status: 24/7 Manly Fan
Manly Sea Eagles in league-union hybrid match with Marlins
By Dean Ritchie | July 19,
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24040385-5006066,00.html
A HISTORIC hybrid rugby league-union match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Manly Marlins could be a reality next year, with both clubs holding preliminary discussions about the venture.
The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal the game could be played at Brookvale Oval under a set of combined rules drawn up by officials from both codes.
If it comes to fruition, the match could pit Wallabies George Smith and Cliff Palu against Manly forwards Anthony Watmough, Brent Kite and Josh Perry.
Marlins coach Phil Blake - a former rugby league star - has spoken to Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler about the idea.
"I have spoken to Des about this but it is only early on in discussions," Blake said last night.
"Who knows in years to come whether there will be two codes?
"We could play it at the end of the cricket season when people are getting a little tired of cricket.
"I'm sure it would create a lot of interest and a lot of competition between the two codes."
It is anticipated the match would attract interest from television stations, with some profits from the game going to charity.
"It could well be a one-off and obviously we would have to sit down and talk about the laws," Blake said.
"There would be intrigue from both sides.
"I'm sure the league boys would want to know what it's like to play union and the union boys would be no different.
"They both watch the other sport on TV. We'd try and make the game as fast as possible."
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said the Sea Eagles would support the match.
"It is certainly worth investigating further," Mayer said.
"We would still recognise our trial matches but, if everything fell into place, we'd certainly look at the opportunity.
"This is the kind of idea that we have to look at to generate more revenue.
"I think it would attract a good crowd and there would be a lot of spectator interest to see how the game would work."
NRL chief executive David Gallop did not reject the proposal - but was not overly supportive either.
"I'd be surprised if Manly would want to risk injuries to their players in an extra trial game, but I will liaise with them to discuss the proposal.
"It would also be very difficult to have a mixture of the rules that would be fair on the league players and union players."
Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald - who has publicly claimed league should consider merging with union - added: "I would certainly watch such a game. I think it sounds like a good idea."
By Dean Ritchie | July 19,
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/sport/nrl/story/0,26799,24040385-5006066,00.html
A HISTORIC hybrid rugby league-union match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Manly Marlins could be a reality next year, with both clubs holding preliminary discussions about the venture.
The Saturday Daily Telegraph can reveal the game could be played at Brookvale Oval under a set of combined rules drawn up by officials from both codes.
If it comes to fruition, the match could pit Wallabies George Smith and Cliff Palu against Manly forwards Anthony Watmough, Brent Kite and Josh Perry.
Marlins coach Phil Blake - a former rugby league star - has spoken to Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler about the idea.
"I have spoken to Des about this but it is only early on in discussions," Blake said last night.
"Who knows in years to come whether there will be two codes?
"We could play it at the end of the cricket season when people are getting a little tired of cricket.
"I'm sure it would create a lot of interest and a lot of competition between the two codes."
It is anticipated the match would attract interest from television stations, with some profits from the game going to charity.
"It could well be a one-off and obviously we would have to sit down and talk about the laws," Blake said.
"There would be intrigue from both sides.
"I'm sure the league boys would want to know what it's like to play union and the union boys would be no different.
"They both watch the other sport on TV. We'd try and make the game as fast as possible."
Manly chief executive Grant Mayer said the Sea Eagles would support the match.
"It is certainly worth investigating further," Mayer said.
"We would still recognise our trial matches but, if everything fell into place, we'd certainly look at the opportunity.
"This is the kind of idea that we have to look at to generate more revenue.
"I think it would attract a good crowd and there would be a lot of spectator interest to see how the game would work."
NRL chief executive David Gallop did not reject the proposal - but was not overly supportive either.
"I'd be surprised if Manly would want to risk injuries to their players in an extra trial game, but I will liaise with them to discuss the proposal.
"It would also be very difficult to have a mixture of the rules that would be fair on the league players and union players."
Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald - who has publicly claimed league should consider merging with union - added: "I would certainly watch such a game. I think it sounds like a good idea."
