In news this week:

Comp on hold until at least another month
Ex-Marlin needs your help
Mermaids making a splash in all comps
Colts build on the back of new recruits
Why I love the Marlins by Leif Olsen

COMP ON HOLD UNTIL AT LEAST ANOTHER MONTH

By the time you read this the Covid situation may have changed (hopefully for the better), but the latest from the Shute Shield is there's still a strong desire to finish the season.

Sydney Rugby Union president Phil Parsons has been in constant contact with the clubs, working on a Plan A, B, C, D etc.

What we do know is every possibility is on the table.

Realistically, the best-case scenario has us re-starting in mid to late August.

The latest the grand final can be played at Leichhardt Oval is October 16, so we're looking at four or five rounds of the regular season when we resume plus finals.

As previously explained, the priority will be to play rounds 11, 12 and 13 so each club has played each other at least once.

Then the SRU will look at programming blockbuster matches to maximise gate takings.

Stand-by for a bit of creative planning, with doubleheaders and Sunday matches all in the mix.

"The SRU is closely monitoring the situation and keeping the clubs fully updated," Manly president Cameron Douglas said.

"It's frustrating for all concerned but we have no choice but to follow government guidelines.

"If we all do that then hopefully life will get back to normal very soon and we'll get some rugby in before the end of the season."

EX-MARLIN NEEDS YOUR HELP

Many of you will remember the smiling American Anthony "Baraz" Barraza from his time at the Marlins in the early 2010s.

As our own Danny Boland says: "Great player, better man."

Sadly, life has taken an unfortunate turn for Anthony after he was involved in a serious motorbike accident in Orange County, California, recently.

He will require a long stint in hospital and multiple operations to put things right – not an inexpensive exercise in the US.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the 41-year-old with the mounting bills.

"A driver pulled out in front of him and in avoiding the crash Anthony sustained fairly significant face and head injuries," Danny explained.

"Anthony is remembered as a player who embraced the Marlins culture completely – from providing the lower grade squad members with an authentic Mexicali feast on his final weekend, to daring to wrestle (with some success) James “Cecil” Hilterbrand in the centre of Manly Oval in front of a large crowd.

"He has hosted many Marlins (including the 2012 tour party) in his locale of Huntington Beach where he seems universally adored.

"He isn’t the type to ask for or even accept help but his friends have set this up and it will really help him get back on his feet.

"Even a cheeky suture or two costs about the same as a house deposit over there so if you can, please donate help with those astronomical costs.

"Also shoot him a message if you can. I’m sure he would love to hear from everyone at Manly."

Several generous Marlins types have already made contributions to the cause.

You can do your bit here.

MERMAIDS MAKING A SPLASH IN ALL COMPS

Here's an update on where our women's sides sat before the competition was put on hold.

Our first division Mermaids hold down the fourth spot on the table, while the second and third division sides are both second and two points off the lead in their respective competitions.

The girls are desperate to get back into it and pick up some silverware before the season is over.

COLTS BUILD ON THE BACK OF NEW RECRUITS

There's some good news coming out of our Colts ranks as well.

We've had a raft of new players join our third-grade squad following the completion of the Junior State Championships, adding to what was already good depth.

Director of Colts, Tim Herbert, told us: "Competition for places in the thirds is extremely competitive.

"Before we shut down, we were in the enviable position of having really great player numbers at training, which also bodes well for future seasons.

"There are several players in second grade who are more than capable of playing in first grade and the same goes with players in third grade playing in 2s if not 1s"

"This has meant we were having a very competitive, focussed group of players at training which has reflected in the results the group has enjoyed to date."

WHY I LOVE THE MARLINS BY LEIF OLSEN

Teammates, coaches, managers, water runners, physios, sponsors, board members and supporters - it is the people that make a club and that is why I love the Marlins.

As a young bloke growing up playing footy for the Manly Vikings, it was always an aspiration to play for the Manly Colts and move onto grade.

Waking up early on Saturday mornings during winter, packing my bag and heading to the footy has been a ritual I have been doing for most of my life.

Starting with colts in the late 90s was so much fun, a great mix of guys I went to school with, guys from the country, overseas players with all becoming mates that I still talk to today. We bonded over bus trips, boat races with some rugby in between - and that is why I love the Marlins.

Moving to grade was fun, starting in fifth grade around the same time as the under-eights didn’t seem fair, but then opened up other opportunities later in the day….

I have fond memories of bus trips to Penrith, heading to the Coogee Bay Hotel after Randwick, Wings Chinese at Eastwood or simply a trip up to Rat Park with my mates - that is why I love the Marlins.

Manly Oval is a special place because of the people (that's me on the right of the photo with some Manly legends).

There is nothing like going down on a Saturday and seeing Danny Hogan, Hughey, Rusty, Felto, Alison and Alpha and their smiling faces, rain, hail or shine, usually from dawn to dusk - that is why I love the Marlins.

When you find place that feels like home you are happy to commit time to make the place better.

I’ve had a few roles with the club - Colts & grade player, supporter, vice-president, club captain, coach and manager.

I am involved with the club because it is a part of my life - that is why I love the Marlins.

Memories and lifelong friends – that's why I love the Marlins.

Manly Rugby Football Club, 2021.

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