The Manly Ferry

[Under the Sticks]

Does it have a landing pad for Bronny’s helicopter for those softies who want a quick exit after halftime?

 

[Bearfax]

I hope its calm sailing for a change. Getting annoyed with this constant stormy weather. But the ferry looks to be a lot more solid for the coming year.

 

[The Who]

This has been a terrible year, absolutely no doubt. But being somewhat of an optimist I think there is some light:

• When looking at our roster there is absolutely no doubt we have the talent to challenge and make finals on a regular basis in the coming years. The thing we need is consistency, something that has been lacking throughout Trent's tenure.
• From what I have heard Neil Henry is all but done as coach next year, and whilst not 'Manly' he is a quality coach. He has had levels of success throughout his career and was heavily involved within the QLD set up during alot of their success.
• Whilst we at this point are hampered with the salary cap dilemma, we really only need a small amount of astute recruitment during the off-season to improve again. I think Elgey will be a good buy, we need a decent winger and some further depth in the second row with the departure of Lane.
• I know it has been mentioned many times, but it actually looks like there will be some news with the redevelopment of Brookvale to a minor extent with the announcement of the Centre of Excellence in the coming months, which will add 3000 undercover seating options at the family hill end of the ground whilst obviously improving facilities for staff and players.

If the club can get it's act together and the new coach coming in can bring this team together and produce some higher levels of consistency, I have no reason to think 2019 cannot be a positive year for MWSE.

I think of myself as a realist and, sadly, I don't see a future for the club in its present form. I hope I'm wrong, but:
* this season we had the roster to be a top four team. Talent has not been an issue. We beat Melbourne, Brisbane and Cronulla yet lost to twice to the very ordinary Newcastle, Titans and Tigers. The last two losses surely proved that the bulk of our players are there for the paycheck. Only a few of them play for pride in the maroon-and-white.
* our lower grades are no better than our First Grade. Our 'future stars', such as Tom Wright and 'Tent', are not that good. The overwhelming number of players in our squads are Polynesians/Islanders who look powerful when they have the ball in their hands but won't tackle when the going gets tough. Unfortunately we have very few local juniors who grow up wanting to play for MW.
* our ownership doesn't look like changing. Enough said.
* ditto Brookvale Oval
* ditto the NRL
* we won't even have a Leagues Club next season. We've turned into the Friday-night-chook-raffle club.
* rugby league is losing its popularity Sydney-wide, no more so than on the Northern Beaches where we are spoiled for choice/activities
I'd love to be believe that we could regain the great club I've supported since 1959. It would make me feel more optimistic if posters could address my above concerns in a pragmatic way, not simply say "things will be better next season" without providing logical reasons how and why.

 

[frank stokes]

I think of myself as a realist and, sadly, I don't see a future for the club in its present form. I hope I'm wrong, but:
* this season we had the roster to be a top four team. Talent has not been an issue. We beat Melbourne, Brisbane and Cronulla yet lost to twice to the very ordinary Newcastle, Titans and Tigers. The last two losses surely proved that the bulk of our players are there for the paycheck. Only a few of them play for pride in the maroon-and-white.
* our lower grades are no better than our First Grade. Our 'future stars', such as Tom Wright and 'Tent', are not that good. The overwhelming number of players in our squads are Polynesians/Islanders who look powerful when they have the ball in their hands but won't tackle when the going gets tough. Unfortunately we have very few local juniors who grow up wanting to play for MW.
* our ownership doesn't look like changing. Enough said.
* ditto Brookvale Oval
* ditto the NRL
* we won't even have a Leagues Club next season. We've turned into the Friday-night-chook-raffle club.
* rugby league is losing its popularity Sydney-wide, no more so than on the Northern Beaches where we are spoiled for choice/activities
I'd love to be believe that we could regain the great club I've supported since 1959. It would make me feel more optimistic if posters could address my above concerns in a pragmatic way, not simply say "things will be better next season" without providing logical reasons how and why.

Dont have any answers for you @who but I can tell you that people don't put their time, effort and money into something without trying to succeed... sometimes things look worse than they are when u are looking from outside and don't have all the info... take our mighty Manly ferry here, at the moment ahe looks like a beaten up old tug boat with a slight list from the outside BUT inside she has a glorious bar full of top shelf offerings (no mid-strength available), a fully sick sound system that plays Eagle Rock on loop, and the strongest engine in the fleet... i realise some just want to get across the harbour as quick as possible but I'm all about enjoying the ride and I wouldn't swap this old boat for all the yachts in Monaco... TIIIICKETTTS PLEASE....

 

[frank stokes]

Does the bar sell Whiskey?

Nothing aged under 20 years ole son...

 

[mave]

I thought this thread was going to be a satirical comparison between Jorge Tafuas turning circle, and the turning circle of a ferry.

 

[marga]

I'm certainly on this Ferry ride. See you all, well most, on board.

 

[The Who]

Dont have any answers for you @who but I can tell you that people don't put their time, effort and money into something without trying to succeed... sometimes things look worse than they are when u are looking from outside and don't have all the info... take our mighty Manly ferry here, at the moment ahe looks like a beaten up old tug boat with a slight list from the outside BUT inside she has a glorious bar full of top shelf offerings (no mid-strength available), a fully sick sound system that plays Eagle Rock on loop, and the strongest engine in the fleet... i realise some just want to get across the harbour as quick as possible but I'm all about enjoying the ride and I wouldn't swap this old boat for all the yachts in Monaco... TIIIICKETTTS PLEASE....

The Manly Sea Eagles are in my DNA. That's why I feel so deflated. I can't see a way out of this mire for the club unless there is a complete change in ownership and thinking.
But, I'm gladden to know there are eternal optimists like you. I hope you are right and I am wrong.

 

[Tomay]

I’m in, as always.

 

[MadMarcus]

Does it have a landing pad for Bronny’s helicopter for those softies who want a quick exit after halftime?

Are you referring to the players?

 

[Woodsie]

Frank, the original Manly ferries sailed out to Australia under their own steam from the shipyards in Scotland where my father and Grandfathers worked .... they were tough, rugged and well engineered ships of quality .... ideal for the demands of an uncompromising Manly ...

These modern Penny McPennface ferries currently in usage ..... not so much ...

..However with a good crew and officers with a will ..... they will again give outstanding service ..... I'm staying on board ..

 

[frank stokes]

The Manly Sea Eagles are in my DNA. That's why I feel so deflated. I can't see a way out of this mire for the club unless there is a complete change in ownership and thinking.
But, I'm gladden to know there are eternal optimists like you. I hope you are right and I am wrong.

Come aboard @who, we'll grab a couple of drinks, sit up top and stare into the teeth of this storm whilst watching all the flash speedboats with their fancy gadgets and fake t*tty hangers-on as they capsize and sink all around us...

 

[frank stokes]

Frank, the original Manly ferries sailed out to Australia under their own steam from the shipyards in Scotland where my father and Grandfathers worked .... they were tough, rugged and well engineered ships of quality .... ideal for the demands of an uncompromising Manly ...

These modern Penny McPennface ferries currently in usage ..... not so much ...

..However with a good crew and officers with a will ..... they will again give outstanding service ..... I'm staying on board ..

Thanks for that insight Woodsie, adds weight to my metaphor because just like those original ferries, Manly were originally well designed, well crewed and able to persevere... we have had our glory days and there was an attempt to replace us with an inferior model when things started to look a bit rough around the edges but they couldn't get the job done because our brand is quality, our crew are purposed and, despite the modifications, our ship's engine is that same non-fancy but ultra-reliable unit that steamed into Sydney harbour in 1947...

 

[Bearfax]

Guys I remember back during the SuperLeague days. Manly were apparently literally days from closing their doors, yet survived. We thought the Northern Eagles debacle would end the club, yet it rose again. I think this club shouldnt have the Sea Eagles as its mascot, but rather the Phoenix. We'll rise again I'm near certain of it.

 

[nightster]

If I can do some trolling ( not the Internet kind ) out the back count me in!!

Caught some trout at a lake in NZ once doing that , most boring fishing EVER!!

any fishing where I actually catch a fish is exciting for me

 

[nightster]

ah the old South Steyne I remember as a kid doing a kids party cruise on the harbour in the old girl what a beauty she was ...

https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/n...e/news-story/3f2f0c6fad57ce19a81a2fc758616db6

 

[Class of 96]

 

[Mark from Brisbane]

any fishing where I actually catch a fish is exciting for me

It’s all to do with how you hold your tongue!!

Lol

 

[eadie fan]

I’m getting a little seasick but I’m sure we’ll get to the other side of the harbour soon, maybe in 2019!!

 

[mike walker]

If I can do some trolling ( not the Internet kind ) out the back count me in!!

Caught some trout at a lake in NZ once doing that , most boring fishing EVER!!

G'day all,Hey Mark I was a ferrymaster for 25 years on an old timber ferry powered by a 3 cylinder Kelvin(till it was upgraded to a more modern Gardiner) which chugged at perfect trolling speed.Locals use to troll off the back on their way home from work,and when the tailor were on,a couple of beers for the crew and the timetable went out the window and we would do an extra run around the bay.Not a bad way to go home from work,having a beer and a fish.
cheers mike