In news this week:

Wallaby glory beckons for gifted Marlin
Colts in Action this Friday night
Juniors do us proud on the state stage
Putting bodies on the line
Legends recognised
Pushing for a brighter future
Wallabies v France

WALLABY GLORY BECKONS FOR GIFTED MARLIN

The wait to see Lalakai Foketi debut in a Manly jumper is going to take a little longer – but it's for a good reason.

The punishing NSW centre has been named in the Wallabies 38-man squad for the series against France and could find himself making his international debut next month.

It means he is unlikely to see much time – if any at all – in Marlins colours this year.

"I am very happy for La. It's been a long road and he's improved every year in the professional ranks," head coach Matt McGoldrick told Fillets.

"It's great we've got another Manly junior/Colt in line to become a Wallaby."

The Marlins will also be without Tahs trio Max Douglas, Sio Tatola and Dave Porecki for Saturday's home meeting with the Hunter Wildfires.

It's hoped Douglas and Tatola will be right to go the following week against Eastwood.

We will be looking to arrest a five-game losing streak against the men from Newcastle, but it won't be easy.

Goldy said: "They are a big, unpredictable team with plenty of strike power and points in them.

"We will need to be on from the start."

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTY AT MANLY OVAL IS BACK

Get down to Manly Oval from 6:45 pm to watch our 3rd-grade Colts take on Eastwood.

Then catch Fighting 4th-grade side, also playing the Woodies straight up after at 7:55 pm.

Bar and BBQ will be firing and it's free entry to the ground! So get down and enjoy a Friday night bev on the Hill

Entry is FREE.

JUNIORS DO US PROUD ON STATE STAGE

With grade and colts on hold over the long weekend, all attention turned to our junior reps teams.

And what a brilliant three days it turned out to be.

Our magnificent under-15s went through seven games undefeated to win the title, scoring 24 tries and conceding a paltry three in the process.

They beat Norths (22-0), Gordon (12-5), Central Coast (26-0) and Central West (33-5) in the group matches before a quarter-final win over Warringah (22-0).

The young Marlins defeated the Two Blues 12-0 in a hard-fought semi before taking care of Southern Districts 20-5 in the grand final.

It was a stunning effort from the boys and coaching/backup staff to win our first 15s crown since 2002.

But rather than bang our own drum, head coach Luke Donnan pointed us to Facebook message from a parent from a rival team.

It read: "I wanted to pass on our congratulations to the team. Not only were they the best side from start to finish, but they also displayed sportsmanship and humility throughout the weekend.

"I had the pleasure of talking to a few of the boys and found them to be all fine young men.

"Congratulations on the title and the character of players your club is producing."
Praise doesn’t get much better than that"

The 15s were our only title winners but there were some great performances in the other age groups.

Our 14s played some tremendous rugby in near-freezing Orange, winning all but one game but missing out on the finals due to the vagaries of the draw and other results.

The 12s did tremendously well to make it to the semis before going down to Warringah, while the 16s only won the one game but kept punching all the way through the tournament.

Thank you to all players, supporters, coaching, managerial staff and our wonderful sponsor Wahu for a fantastic weekend of rugby.

CECIL'S DOUBLE CENTURY

Hooker James Hilterbrand reckons he's packed into 4000 scrums during his 199-grade games for the Marlins.

And he's given it his all in every one of them, ever since running on for his first-grade debut in 2008.

One of the great clubman, Cecil will rack up the double century of grade games against the Hunter on Saturday.

"The 2015 grand final is the stand-out but I've enjoyed the whole journey," he said.

"It's been great. I've met so many good people and made some great memories."
At 32, the former American representative is not sure how many winters he has left in him.

He said: "If you don’t stop you don’t have to start again, but I think my mind will give up before the body does."

Let's hope the boys get the job on Saturday so Cecil can sing his favourite tune – Manly Boom Boom.

Footnote: Your Marlins Fillets "editor" was privileged to see Cec play for the US Eagles against Ireland in New York back in June 2017.

PUTTING BODIES ON THE LINE

Our best bodies are busy being buffed, waxed and polished for one of the highlights of the season.

Manly's finest footy flesh will go under the hammer in the always lively player auction at the bowlo following the annual Ladies Day festivities.

There are still limited tickets available for the sideline marquee but get in quick - and a reminder this year's dress theme is après ski.

Eighty bucks will get you entry to the ground, four hours of pizza, beer and wine, a ticket to the lucky door prize and, of course, front row seats at the auction.

All proceeds go to the Northern Beaches Women's Shelter.

Click on THIS link to get your tickets and then stand clear for one helluva party!

LEGENDS RECOGNISED

A terrific new tradition was born at the local derby, with the introduction of the "Rusty-Sutherland Cup" in honour of two club rugby greats – our very own Russell Mackie and Rats' stalwart Jack Sutherland.

The trophy will be played for across third and fourth grade on each derby day, with the aggregate winner taking home the silverware.

Warringah got the money this time 72-8 but we get a shot again on August 21.

Rusty and Jack have put in around 100 years' service combined and fittingly now have a trophy named after them.

BIG WRAP FOR RAT BURGER

Leif Hood tied the bib around the neck and fasted for a week to prepare for a culinary assault on the Warringah menu, here is his latest Shute Shield food review:

"Punters are spoiled for choice at Rat Park. You can choose from the traditional barbecue, hot chips, hot dogs, wood-fired pizza, beef burgers (brought to you by DY hotel), but I decided to follow Warringah's lower-grade mob who were looking to line the stomach and get a fried chicken burger.

KFC is quite foreign to me but, as I waited, I noticed their burger looked a lot like the Zinger.

And the more I looked at the owner slaving away behind the fryer, he looked a bit like The Colonel.

The chicken burger and chips was a well-presented meal - the milk bun was soft, chicken soft, juicy and tender, the unmistakable crunch on the outside of the chicken, topped with the king of the lettuce family, iceberg, and some home-made Mayo.

The chips were very good, too.

Perhaps this score got a little lift from the 1st Colts having a win or perhaps it was the accompanying beverage, but the chicken Rat burger gets 16/20 (very good, you should travel to try it)."

PUSHING FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE

If you're looking to burn some calories after reading Leif's food review, get yourself to Manly Oval on Saturday for a very worthy cause.

We've teamed with Lifeline for the Push-Up Challenge to promote better mental health.

Ground announcer Westy will ask fans to get onto the Village Green and rattle off 20 push-ups prior to kick-off against the Wildfires, with volunteers taking buckets around for donations.

If push-ups aren't your go, a small donation would be much appreciated, just click this link to make a donation.

WALLABIES V FRANCE - JULY 7th in SYDNEY

Be there to watch the Wallabies & our very own Michael Hooper take on France on Wednesday, July 7. For the first time in 35 years, see your Wallabies back in action at the SCG.

Book your tickets here.

Manly Rugby Football Club, 2021.

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