Date Posted:19:32:25 01/19/02 Sat Author: Wills Subject: The 'Proud' History Of manly - Part IX
Season 1982 dawns and the competition includes two new teams and four new rounds as the Steelers and Raiders join. As a first-step in expansion goes - the inclusion of the 'Gong and Canberra is logical. Wests' Bob Cooper gets 15 months to reassess his life - a number of manly players reassess their playing style.
The manly side win 17 from 26 that season and easily account for Norths and Parra is the Semis to reach their first GF since 1978. Their opponents are Parra. Phil Blake scores first from his own bomb after Boyd belts the Parra winger positioned to receive the kick. Despite the manly biff, Parra are victorious 21-8.
The look on Aaaarko's face is priceless as he leaves the Grandstand at fulltime to call his Bank Manager for another increase to the Club's overdraft limit.
The loyal and dedicated Ray Ritchie, who thought of manly as his family and had taken his charges to the Semis in his first year and the Grand Final in his second, is given 'the opportunity to expand his horizons'.
Scuttlebut around Brookvale was that Ritchie had refused Aaaarko's order to mortgage his taxi plates to help secure the aforementioned overdraft increase. Other rumours had it that Ritchie and Aaaarko had fallen out after Aaaarko had scarpered without paying Ritchie a fare just once too often.
