Big Paulie
Pennywise
Manly haunted by 21-year hoodoo
July 18, 2007
MANLY legend Geoff Toovey can't remember too much about his rugby league career and the one thing he'd rather not recall is brought to his attention at this time every year.
Manly has not won at the Sharks' home ground in 21 years.
It is the longest running hoodoo in the NRL and every season without fail Toovey is reminded of the Sea Eagles failure to win at the Shire and the fact he never won a football game there.
"The old chestnut that comes out every time," said Toovey when asked about the record.
"I don't know what it is, it might just be a terribly unlucky ground to play on.
"I'm probably the one bloke that you shouldn't ask about previous games, I can't remember last week.
"I'm at a loss to explain it. I can't recall many games in the past and it wasn't until the last couple of years that someone has always mentioned how long it's been since Manly has won there.
"I can't see any particular cause to it, it's just one of those freakish facts I suppose.
"The ground doesn't hold any great aura to me or great tradition or fear or emotion.
"I couldn't put it down to any one thing, I can only comment on the fact it is a remarkable period of time since we have won there without putting a finger on it."
The remarkable record has withstood five ground name changes and six coaches and captains for the Sharks.
Manly's last victory at the then named Ronson Field was on July 12, 1986 with a 32-4 win.
Toovey had yet to play first grade when the Sea Eagles last beat the Sharks on their home turf, however current Manly coach Des Hasler did play in that victory which would have occurred 7678 days ago when the two sides meet this Friday.
But Toovey, a member of Hasler's current coaching staff, said while the hoodoo was hard to escape amongst the pre-game hype he doesn't expect it to be raised by the astute leader.
"It's been brought up in the media the last three or four years maybe so it's something you do talk about in a sense that it has been a long time, but we have no great trepidation about playing there," said Toovey.
Manly has been listed as $1.25 favourites with TAB Sportsbet to end its losing streak in Cronulla, the odds framed largely around the Sea Eagles second place on the NRL table and the Sharks injury crisis robbing them of several key players.
However, Manly is adamant not to let any complacency creep into their game plan as it desperately chases Melbourne for the minor premiership.
It trails Storm by two wins with seven games remaining and another loss would virtually hand Melbourne back-to-back minor premierships.
"(The Sharks) have given the young and new blokes an opportunity to impress the coach and we can't go into the game thinking they've lost key players so we should win," said Toovey.
"If you take it the wrong way and don't concentrate on the game and their young players and new players stand up as they tend to do and are capable off, it could end up biting us on the bum.
"Hopefully we will come home with a wet sail and maybe get that minor premiership."
July 18, 2007
MANLY legend Geoff Toovey can't remember too much about his rugby league career and the one thing he'd rather not recall is brought to his attention at this time every year.
Manly has not won at the Sharks' home ground in 21 years.
It is the longest running hoodoo in the NRL and every season without fail Toovey is reminded of the Sea Eagles failure to win at the Shire and the fact he never won a football game there.
"The old chestnut that comes out every time," said Toovey when asked about the record.
"I don't know what it is, it might just be a terribly unlucky ground to play on.
"I'm probably the one bloke that you shouldn't ask about previous games, I can't remember last week.
"I'm at a loss to explain it. I can't recall many games in the past and it wasn't until the last couple of years that someone has always mentioned how long it's been since Manly has won there.
"I can't see any particular cause to it, it's just one of those freakish facts I suppose.
"The ground doesn't hold any great aura to me or great tradition or fear or emotion.
"I couldn't put it down to any one thing, I can only comment on the fact it is a remarkable period of time since we have won there without putting a finger on it."
The remarkable record has withstood five ground name changes and six coaches and captains for the Sharks.
Manly's last victory at the then named Ronson Field was on July 12, 1986 with a 32-4 win.
Toovey had yet to play first grade when the Sea Eagles last beat the Sharks on their home turf, however current Manly coach Des Hasler did play in that victory which would have occurred 7678 days ago when the two sides meet this Friday.
But Toovey, a member of Hasler's current coaching staff, said while the hoodoo was hard to escape amongst the pre-game hype he doesn't expect it to be raised by the astute leader.
"It's been brought up in the media the last three or four years maybe so it's something you do talk about in a sense that it has been a long time, but we have no great trepidation about playing there," said Toovey.
Manly has been listed as $1.25 favourites with TAB Sportsbet to end its losing streak in Cronulla, the odds framed largely around the Sea Eagles second place on the NRL table and the Sharks injury crisis robbing them of several key players.
However, Manly is adamant not to let any complacency creep into their game plan as it desperately chases Melbourne for the minor premiership.
It trails Storm by two wins with seven games remaining and another loss would virtually hand Melbourne back-to-back minor premierships.
"(The Sharks) have given the young and new blokes an opportunity to impress the coach and we can't go into the game thinking they've lost key players so we should win," said Toovey.
"If you take it the wrong way and don't concentrate on the game and their young players and new players stand up as they tend to do and are capable off, it could end up biting us on the bum.
"Hopefully we will come home with a wet sail and maybe get that minor premiership."
Should be an interesting game 
My prediction... 22 year hoodoo! Hahaha
My prediction... 22 year hoodoo! Hahaha
