In the news this week: - Angus To Answer The Bell
- Marlins/Mermaids On Trial
- Jumping To A Conclusion
- Mermaids Have Tails Up
- Coming Into View
- Tyson Still Packs A Punch
- Familiar Faces Welcome Savers
- Banks Is Having A Ball
- Cool Marlins
- Newshounds Wanted
- Hole Lot Of Cash
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In the news this week: - Angus To Answer The Bell
- Marlins/Mermaids On Trial
- Jumping To A Conclusion
- Mermaids Have Tails Up
- Coming Into View
- Tyson Still Packs A Punch
- Familiar Faces Welcome Savers
- Banks Is Having A Ball
- Cool Marlins
- Newshounds Wanted
- Hole Lot Of Cash
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A quick note, if you have been forwarded this email from a mate, besty or a family member and want to get your own feed of Marlins Fillets sent directly to your own Inbox, then click here to join. |
One of the saddest sights of the 2024 season was watching Marlins captain Angus Bell limp from the field during the Anzac Day local derby. Belly ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and played no further part in our season. He was naturally gutted and admitted to some dark moments as he made his way back to full fitness and a return to rugby in coming weeks. "It’s been a very long rehab," Belly told Rugby News. "It was hard to get motivated initially because you sort of feel out of touch from the group, particularly when a return to rugby was so far away. "But as it got closer, the hunger kicks in and you start to get excited about playing again so now I can't wait for the season to get underway.” The classy centre will be eased back during this month's trials with a view to landing a spot in the squad to meet Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield opener on April 5. He said: "I feel like I’ve got to the age now where I'm confident I can contribute to the group and those setbacks and injuries halted that a little bit. "I still don’t think I’ve really been able to hit my straps just yet so I’m excited about the idea of playing consistent footy." It's great to have you back, Belly. |
One of the saddest sights of the 2024 season was watching Marlins captain Angus Bell limp from the field during the Anzac Day local derby. Belly ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament and played no further part in our season. He was naturally gutted and admitted to some dark moments as he made his way back to full fitness and a return to rugby in coming weeks. "It’s been a very long rehab," Belly told Rugby News. "It was hard to get motivated initially because you sort of feel out of touch from the group, particularly when a return to rugby was so far away. "But as it got closer, the hunger kicks in and you start to get excited about playing again so now I can't wait for the season to get underway.” The classy centre will be eased back during this month's trials with a view to landing a spot in the squad to meet Northern Suburbs in the Shute Shield opener on April 5. He said: "I feel like I’ve got to the age now where I'm confident I can contribute to the group and those setbacks and injuries halted that a little bit. "I still don’t think I’ve really been able to hit my straps just yet so I’m excited about the idea of playing consistent footy." It's great to have you back, Belly. |
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Marlins/Mermaids On Trial |
Marlins/Mermaids On Trial |
If you're after an early fix of club rugby, the Sydney Academy of Sport (Narrabeen) is the place to be this Saturday. Our grade, Colts and women's sides will all be in action in the first serious hit out of 2025. Head coach Sam Lane will use a host of players as he works to find his best combination for the season opener on April 5. "We’re working a bit around our identity as it’s a fairly new group of players across the club so trying to get everyone on the same page and understanding what we want to be about is a big focus," he said. The rugby will run all day from 10am and we'll have a BBQ running to look after your food requirements. |
If you're after an early fix of club rugby, the Sydney Academy of Sport (Narrabeen) is the place to be this Saturday. Our grade, Colts and women's sides will all be in action in the first serious hit out of 2025. Head coach Sam Lane will use a host of players as he works to find his best combination for the season opener on April 5. "We’re working a bit around our identity as it’s a fairly new group of players across the club so trying to get everyone on the same page and understanding what we want to be about is a big focus," he said. The rugby will run all day from 10am and we'll have a BBQ running to look after your food requirements. |
Are there any amateur detectives out there? Manly Rugby Club life member Adam Hill is trying to identity the lady who dropped off four (partially) signed British and Irish Lions jumpers to his workplace in Balgowlah last month. The jerseys are from the Lions' 2001 tour to Australia and feature autographs from the likes of Mike Catt and Ronan O'Gara. While Hilly loves his rugby memorabilia and is appreciative of the gesture, he wants to know what the donor had in mind for the jumpers before making the next move. If it was you – or you know who it was – drop him a line at adamhilldesigns@bigpond.com or 0400 037 055. |
Are there any amateur detectives out there? Manly Rugby Club life member Adam Hill is trying to identity the lady who dropped off four (partially) signed British and Irish Lions jumpers to his workplace in Balgowlah last month. The jerseys are from the Lions' 2001 tour to Australia and feature autographs from the likes of Mike Catt and Ronan O'Gara. While Hilly loves his rugby memorabilia and is appreciative of the gesture, he wants to know what the donor had in mind for the jumpers before making the next move. If it was you – or you know who it was – drop him a line at adamhilldesigns@bigpond.com or 0400 037 055. |
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The Mermaids are building nicely as our women's program prepares to take it up at level in 2025. We will field not one but two XVs teams in the NSW competition this year – divisions one and division two - along with our usual 7s team. There's been a lot going on over summer with big numbers turning out for pre-season training amid a hectic period of 7s tournaments. There's also been plenty of movement on the rep scene. Mermaids Lala Duff, Faith Nathan and Piper Simons have been repping the Aussie 7s, while Waiaria Ellis (pictured), Faliki Pohiva and Tiarah Minns are part of the Wallaroos set-up. In addition, Sarah Tuipulotu, Nata Kilisimasi, Keti Mahoni earned call-ups to the Oceania Penina side for matches against the Tahs, Queensland, Brumbies and Force. Pre-season preparations go up a notch on Saturday when our girls play the Two Blues and Warringah in a three-way trial at the Sydney Academy of Sport. Head coach Ben Tuipuluto said: "The intent and energy has been outstanding so far. We have put down a solid foundation to take into the new year." The XVs kick their season off on April 12. |
The Mermaids are building nicely as our women's program prepares to take it up at level in 2025. We will field not one but two XVs teams in the NSW competition this year – divisions one and division two - along with our usual 7s team. There's been a lot going on over summer with big numbers turning out for pre-season training amid a hectic period of 7s tournaments. There's also been plenty of movement on the rep scene. Mermaids Lala Duff, Faith Nathan and Piper Simons have been repping the Aussie 7s, while Waiaria Ellis (pictured), Faliki Pohiva and Tiarah Minns are part of the Wallaroos set-up. In addition, Sarah Tuipulotu, Nata Kilisimasi, Keti Mahoni earned call-ups to the Oceania Penina side for matches against the Tahs, Queensland, Brumbies and Force. Pre-season preparations go up a notch on Saturday when our girls play the Two Blues and Warringah in a three-way trial at the Sydney Academy of Sport. Head coach Ben Tuipuluto said: "The intent and energy has been outstanding so far. We have put down a solid foundation to take into the new year." The XVs kick their season off on April 12. |
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Shute Shield clubs have extended their broadcast agreement with Stan until the end of the 2026 season, but standby for some major innovations in the years to come. With six games per round broadcast on Stan – with a few also making it on to free-to-air – the clubs have finally struck the right balance between exposure for the competition and making a buck. We're not talking massive dollars here, but the clubs were over being out of pocket for providing content for next to no return. We understand Stan's offer for the 2025 and '26 seasons is a healthy annual five-figure sum per club, with all production costs covered. Perhaps the most interesting part is renewed interest from Foxtel after missing out on the rights a few years ago. They didn’t get the Shute Shield rights this time around but UK-based streaming service DAZN, which is the process of acquiring Foxtel, may have another throw at the stumps in 2027. Whoever's hands it is in by then, expect some changes to how your club rugby looks. Double headers, mid-week night games and a Heineken Cup-style competition involving interstate clubs are all on the agenda. They will also push for marquee club games – like the Marlins-Rats local derby – to be played at viewer friendly grounds like Brookvale Oval. Broadcasters believe these fierce rivalries could grow to produce the sort of scenes seen when Saracens take on Harlequins in the annual Showdown at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, albeit with slightly lower attendances. The positive in all this is that club rugby club is seen as viable and sought-after content for broadcasters. |
Shute Shield clubs have extended their broadcast agreement with Stan until the end of the 2026 season, but standby for some major innovations in the years to come. With six games per round broadcast on Stan – with a few also making it on to free-to-air – the clubs have finally struck the right balance between exposure for the competition and making a buck. We're not talking massive dollars here, but the clubs were over being out of pocket for providing content for next to no return. We understand Stan's offer for the 2025 and '26 seasons is a healthy annual five-figure sum per club, with all production costs covered. Perhaps the most interesting part is renewed interest from Foxtel after missing out on the rights a few years ago. They didn’t get the Shute Shield rights this time around but UK-based streaming service DAZN, which is the process of acquiring Foxtel, may have another throw at the stumps in 2027. Whoever's hands it is in by then, expect some changes to how your club rugby looks. Double headers, mid-week night games and a Heineken Cup-style competition involving interstate clubs are all on the agenda. They will also push for marquee club games – like the Marlins-Rats local derby – to be played at viewer friendly grounds like Brookvale Oval. Broadcasters believe these fierce rivalries could grow to produce the sort of scenes seen when Saracens take on Harlequins in the annual Showdown at London's Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, albeit with slightly lower attendances. The positive in all this is that club rugby club is seen as viable and sought-after content for broadcasters. |
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Tyson Still Packs A Punch |
Tyson Still Packs A Punch |
Manly players were given an old-school tutorial on the dark arts of scrummaging during a recent visit to Bowral. A bus load of players travelled to the southern highlands to meet up with former Randwick prop and Bowral Rugby Club life member Val Tyson. Tyson started by telling the "pretty boy" backs to p-off somewhere else before taking about 28 forwards through feet positioning, weight and height distribution drills. Following the session, the backs were invited to return after a workout with strength and conditioning guru Dave Kennett and the Marlins joined the locals for a beer and BBQ (all generously supplied by Marlins superfan and volunteer Lindsay Freeman). They then jumped back on the bus to cheer their clubmates on at the Kiama 7s. Set piece coach Damien "Turtle" Cummins told Fillets: "My attitude is to never be too proud to listen to outside views because you never know what you might uncover. "Val certainly captured the boys' interest with his unique style and there are definitely some things we took away from it. "It was well worth the trip to Bowral and the whole journey was a great day out and a really good bonding exercise." Nothing beats a rugby bus trip. |
Manly players were given an old-school tutorial on the dark arts of scrummaging during a recent visit to Bowral. A bus load of players travelled to the southern highlands to meet up with former Randwick prop and Bowral Rugby Club life member Val Tyson. Tyson started by telling the "pretty boy" backs to p-off somewhere else before taking about 28 forwards through feet positioning, weight and height distribution drills. Following the session, the backs were invited to return after a workout with strength and conditioning guru Dave Kennett and the Marlins joined the locals for a beer and BBQ (all generously supplied by Marlins superfan and volunteer Lindsay Freeman). They then jumped back on the bus to cheer their clubmates on at the Kiama 7s. Set piece coach Damien "Turtle" Cummins told Fillets: "My attitude is to never be too proud to listen to outside views because you never know what you might uncover. "Val certainly captured the boys' interest with his unique style and there are definitely some things we took away from it. "It was well worth the trip to Bowral and the whole journey was a great day out and a really good bonding exercise." Nothing beats a rugby bus trip. |
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Familiar Faces Welcome Savers |
Familiar Faces Welcome Savers |
Our friends at Manly Savers reunited with Marlins royalty last weekend, meeting up with Hugh and Ros Thompson at Nelson Bay. Hugh helped the Savers organise a trial match against his adopted club – the Nelson Bay Gropers – in what is set to become an annual event. The Savers went down (perhaps still feeing the effects of the previous night's bonfire party!) but were a big hit with the locals. "(The Savers are) a top bunch of blokes who brought plenty of skill, spirit, and good times—exactly what rugby’s all about," the Gropers posted on Facebook. "Big thanks to the Savers for making the trip, and we hope to have you back again next year! Best of luck for the season ahead." As for Hugh and Ros, who gave the Marlins decades of service before retiring away from Sydney, Savers Godfather Bill "Sticks" Tricker tell us they are both going strong and could not have done more to make the Men in Black feel at home. |
Our friends at Manly Savers reunited with Marlins royalty last weekend, meeting up with Hugh and Ros Thompson at Nelson Bay. Hugh helped the Savers organise a trial match against his adopted club – the Nelson Bay Gropers – in what is set to become an annual event. The Savers went down (perhaps still feeing the effects of the previous night's bonfire party!) but were a big hit with the locals. "(The Savers are) a top bunch of blokes who brought plenty of skill, spirit, and good times—exactly what rugby’s all about," the Gropers posted on Facebook. "Big thanks to the Savers for making the trip, and we hope to have you back again next year! Best of luck for the season ahead." As for Hugh and Ros, who gave the Marlins decades of service before retiring away from Sydney, Savers Godfather Bill "Sticks" Tricker tell us they are both going strong and could not have done more to make the Men in Black feel at home. |
It was lovely to see head coach Sam Lane taking four-year-old son Banks to the park for a kick of the footy last Sunday arvo. But was that a mini Sherrin instead of a Gilbert we saw in the young fella's hands? Laney admitted that was the case but there was good reason for the AFL footy. "My wife is a childhood friend of (Sydney Swans captain) Callum Mills and he gave Banks the ball," the Marlins coach explained. All's forgiven then. |
It was lovely to see head coach Sam Lane taking four-year-old son Banks to the park for a kick of the footy last Sunday arvo. But was that a mini Sherrin instead of a Gilbert we saw in the young fella's hands? Laney admitted that was the case but there was good reason for the AFL footy. "My wife is a childhood friend of (Sydney Swans captain) Callum Mills and he gave Banks the ball," the Marlins coach explained. All's forgiven then. |
We're keen to hear from anyone who has a Marlins-themed photo from their travels. The Bergelin family kick-started the 2025 collection with their "Marlins Snowman", taken during a recent skiing trip to Canada. Send your best pics to adamlucius17@gmail.com or newsworthy@manlyrugby.com.au |
We're keen to hear from anyone who has a Marlins-themed photo from their travels. The Bergelin family kick-started the 2025 collection with their "Marlins Snowman", taken during a recent skiing trip to Canada. Send your best pics to adamlucius17@gmail.com or newsworthy@manlyrugby.com.au |
This is a message to all you citizen journalists out there – if you've got a Manly rugby story to tell, we want to know all about it. The club has set up a dedicated email address – newsworthy@manlyrugby.com.au – to encourage our followers to alert us to a good news story. While we can’t guarantee everything we receive will be published, we'll do our best to find a home for the information you give us. That may be via this fine column or one of our myriad social media platforms. |
This is a message to all you citizen journalists out there – if you've got a Manly rugby story to tell, we want to know all about it. The club has set up a dedicated email address – newsworthy@manlyrugby.com.au – to encourage our followers to alert us to a good news story. While we can’t guarantee everything we receive will be published, we'll do our best to find a home for the information you give us. That may be via this fine column or one of our myriad social media platforms. |
If you've noticed your golf partner's work off the tee improving over the last few weeks, there's a fair chance they've been working overtime on their long game ahead of our annual Marlins golf day. And why not when there's $20,000 up for grabs to anyone who cards an ace on Wakehurst's par three 16th. Details and bookings in the link below, along with the link to our value-heavy game day membership packages. And be sure to mark down August 1 in your diaries. That's when our British Lions-themed annual lunch will occur at the Four Seasons Hotel. https://www.iwannaticket.com.au/event/2025-manly-rugby-golf-day-MzI2ODc |
If you've noticed your golf partner's work off the tee improving over the last few weeks, there's a fair chance they've been working overtime on their long game ahead of our annual Marlins golf day. And why not when there's $20,000 up for grabs to anyone who cards an ace on Wakehurst's par three 16th. Details and bookings in the link below, along with the link to our value-heavy game day membership packages. And be sure to mark down August 1 in your diaries. That's when our British Lions-themed annual lunch will occur at the Four Seasons Hotel. https://www.iwannaticket.com.au/event/2025-manly-rugby-golf-day-MzI2ODc |
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