In the news this week:

Marlins On Trial
Shute's Magic Trick
These Are Your Captains Speaking
Coaching Conveyer Belt
Dumb And Dumber
Start Spreading The News
Shoulder To Cry On
Falling For The Marlins
Chewing The Fat

In the news this week:

Marlins On Trial
Shute's Magic Trick
These Are Your Captains Speaking
Coaching Conveyer Belt
Dumb And Dumber
Start Spreading The News
Shoulder To Cry On
Falling For The Marlins
Chewing The Fat

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Marlins On Trial

The cobwebs were blown out as the Marlins returned to action for 2025 in split trials at Narrabeen last Saturday.

The boys played 40 minutes against the Uni North Owls from Canberra before taking on Shute Shield rivals the Western Sydney Two Blues in the second 40 minutes.

While there was no officials score keeping, we can tell you Manly were ahead in both games and came through relatively unscathed, apart from centre Angus Bell breaking his nose in his return from a serious knee injury.

"We played a pretty even mix of players from our top squad and both teams did pretty well," coach Sam Lane told us.

"They implemented certain aspects we’d been working on during the pre-season. There's obviously plenty to work on as expected from a first trial but it was a positive start.

"A number of players did well."

Kai Vincent, a promising Colt who was given a taste of first grade last year, produced some freaky individual moments to be the stand-out player of the day.

A number of our new faces also aimed up and the depth across the grades looked strong.

The intensity will go up at notch when the boys take on Shute Shield grand finalists North Suburbs at the Sydney Academy of Sport on Saturday.

We'll again be running a BBQ and selling (non-alcoholic) refreshments for those keen to take a look at our build-up to the 2025 season.

The cobwebs were blown out as the Marlins returned to action for 2025 in split trials at Narrabeen last Saturday.

The boys played 40 minutes against the Uni North Owls from Canberra before taking on Shute Shield rivals the Western Sydney Two Blues in the second 40 minutes.

"We played a pretty even mix of players from our top squad and both teams did pretty well," coach Sam Lane told us.

"They implemented certain aspects we’d been working on during the pre-season. There's obviously plenty to work on as expected from a first trial but it was a positive start.

"A number of players did well."

Kai Vincent, a promising Colt who was given a taste of first grade last year, produced some freaky individual moments to be the stand-out player of the day.

A number of our new faces also aimed up and the depth across the grades looked strong.

The intensity will go up at notch when the boys take on Shute Shield grand finalists North Suburbs at the Sydney Academy of Sport on Saturday.

We'll again be running a BBQ and selling (non-alcoholic) refreshments for those keen to take a look at our build-up to the 2025 season.

Shute's Magic Trick

We've siphoned a little more information on the back of our piece last week detailing club rugby's broadcasting rights deal with Stan for the next two years.

Our mole on the inside informs us plans have been discussed to hold a Magic Round-like weekend where all 12 clubs compete across the one weekend at a single venue.

It would all kick off with a game on Friday evening followed by three on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Or it could even be held over Easter or the June long weekend.

No locations were discussed but Uni Oval, Eric Tweedale Oval or North Sydney Oval would appear the best fit-for-purpose venues, although NRL grounds would also be considered.

The point is broadcasters see value in the Shute Shield but they also want bang for their buck and that means a slight deviation away from the current schedule.

We've siphoned a little more information on the back of our piece last week detailing club rugby's broadcasting rights deal with Stan for the next two years.

Our mole on the inside informs us plans have been discussed to hold a Magic Round-like weekend where all 12 clubs compete across the one weekend at a single venue.

It would all kick off with a game on Friday evening followed by three on Saturday and two on Sunday.

Or it could even be held over Easter or the June long weekend.

No locations were discussed but Uni Oval, Eric Tweedale Oval or North Sydney Oval would appear the best fit-for-purpose venues, although NRL grounds would also be considered.

The point is broadcasters see value in the Shute Shield but they also want bang for their buck and that means a slight deviation away from the current schedule.

These Are Your Captains Speaking

Three important appointments were confirmed this week, with club captains selected for the 2025 season.

Doughal O'Reilly will remain club captain for the men's grade teams, while Angus Pepar will handle duties for Colts and Pia Jackson is back as Mermaids CC.

We wish all three the very best and urge all at the club to get right behind them as we aim to "thrive in '25".

Three important appointments were confirmed this week, with club captains selected for the 2025 season.

Doughal O'Reilly will remain club captain for the men's grade teams, while Angus Pepar will handle duties for Colts and Pia Jackson is back as Mermaids CC.

We wish all three the very best and urge all at the club to get right behind them as we aim to "thrive in '25".

Coaching Conveyer Belt

Manly is building a reputation for producing coaches of first-grade quality and beyond.

Three current Shute Shield coaches—Zak Beer (Norths, pictured), Phil Blake (West Harbour), and Harry Fehily (Gordon)—either did their apprenticeships with the Marlins or coached our top-grade team.

Over at Easts, assistant coach Brian "Billy" Melrose spent a number of seasons at Manly Oval while we had Chris Delooze for two years (2023-24) before he was snapped up by the Wallaroos.

Manly is building a reputation for producing coaches of first-grade quality and beyond.

Over at Easts, assistant coach Brian "Billy" Melrose spent a number of seasons at Manly Oval while we had Chris Delooze for two years (2023-24) before he was snapped up by the Wallaroos.

Dumb And Dumber

Who were the two Manly Marlins members and keen skiers who made a quick decision to head up to Japan and sample some of their record-breaking snowfall in February?

One booked the airline tickets online and the other booked the Uber early on the day of departure so they could enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the Qantas Lounge at Kingsford Smith.

Unfortunately, when they got to the ticket counter, there was a puzzled look on one of the JAL staff member’s faces.

She said to the older Marlins member: "I'm so sorry sir, we can’t see your names on this flight!"

Said member went ashen white and started to shake, replying: "But I booked it last week!"

The JAL employee responded: "Yes sir you have booked it but you have booked it for March 15, NOT February 15!

Luckily there were some seats available, but both our friends still paid a small fortune to re-book their tickets so they could leave that day.

We're not sure how far into the trip it was that they started speaking to each other again.