Schofield King’s Throwback Thursday: Sea Eagles Swoop Late

Seeing as 2021 marks 40 years since our club’s remarkable charge to the 1981 NSWRFL Grand Final, this year Schofield King’s Throwback Thursday will focus exclusively on that season.

Each week we’ll revisit the fixture from the corresponding round in a series of articles that we hope will take our long-time fans on a fun journey down memory lane, while also educating our newer fans on our club’s illustrious history.

ROUND 16

The Newtown Jets were left to rue a poor second-half showing during a disappointing 10-all with Manly at Henson Park.

Newtown dominated the opening proceedings and looked set to chalk up two easy competition points after soft tries to Mick Ryan and Graeme O’Grady gave them a 10-0 lead at the break.

However, a piece of tactical genius from Manly skipper Max Krilich ultimately turned the game in the Sea Eagles’ favour. After being behind in the scrums 8-6 during the first half, Krilich suggested coach Ray Ritchie move Kiwi Mark Broadhurst from the second row to prop in place of Mark Willoughby.

The move paid dividends with Manly dominating the scrums 10-4 during the second term and subsequently dominating possession. Simon Booth got the Sea Eagles back in the game when he scored in the 60th minute, while Eadie’s 67th-minute penalty got them within three points.

Then, with less than a minute left on the clock, Krilich won a scrum in the Manly quarter. Booth then outpaced the Newtown defence before linking up with Stuart Davis, who scored the match-levelling try.

Newtown 10 (M.Ryan, G.O’Grady tries; K.Wilson 2 goals) drew with Manly (S.Booth, S.Davis tries; G.Eadie 2 goals)


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