By Caitlin Arnold
In 2013, Manly-Warringah found themselves in a rare position.
After dominating the Division One competition in the years preceding, they were promoted to the Premier Division stage.
While rising through division ranks would be the ambition of any team, few would believe that the first year in the next level up would be easy, let alone entertain the possibility of a premiership win.
Ending the season with 14 wins, including the first nine straight, the Wolves played with the aim to create a contest for each team that they came up against, and that aim paid off when they unbelievably came away with the 2013 Bill Hart Cup.
“We did not know what to expect going into the season and to be honest we were aiming to just firstly win a game, then maybe 5 or 6 for the year, and we would have been happy with that,” explains Senior Coach Leigh Brain.
With 20 of the 22 man squad being “locally grown”, it was a victory for the quintessential ‘hometown team’, inspiring their elder clubmen and long-time supporters.
“It was fantastic. We celebrated for some time after.”
Despite this, Brain knows that the Wolves now have a target on their back, although he does not concede that they may be considered favourites coming into 2014. Given the strength of the competition, Brain recognises that a new season signals new beginnings for each club and competitor.
“We know we won’t travel under the radar this year and the pressure is there to replicate what we achieved last year.”
“As for who are favourites to win this year, it’s a lottery, anyone of the ten teams could take it out.”
Running with the notion that any team is beatable “on their day”, Brain believes that the upcoming season will be competitive and that his Wolves steady pre-season will prepare them for what is to come.
“We have had reasonable numbers at training with the majority of players starting to filter through as we get closer to the season proper.”
Starring during pre-season training, Jack Parker and Tommy McCaffery are said to be pressing hard for senior selection.
Jordan Weir, Phil Pryor, as well as local boys, Jackson Pola-Smith and Mick Atkinson join Manly-Warringah in 2014 and will have their time to prove themselves in the upcoming trial matches, where Brain is keen to observe how well they fit into the squad.
Also, returning from injury are Gareth Benbow and Harry Webb, who were unfortunate to miss the finals series last year.
The premiership cup was not the only award bestowed upon the Manly-Warringah club in 2013, The Phelan Medal was also presented to their Captain, Tyrone Armitage.
“He was pleasantly surprised, but it was well deserved, and it meant a lot to the club for one of our players to get the recognition he received through the award.”
“No doubt he will feel pressure…but Ty is a great leader and we all have great confidence in him.”
Said to be looking sharp during the pre-season, Armitage will continue to captain the side in its quest to go back-to-back on 2014.
With such a successful year for the Wolves, it is no wonder that AFL is growing on the Northern Beaches. Brain says that the club is gaining interest from people who have never played before which is a welcome sign for AFL in Sydney.
“The locals are very passionate and supportive about all sports that involve the area, which is great.”
The Manly-Warringah Wolves commence their premiership defence with a Round One match against St George at Olds Park on 29 March 2014 at 2pm.
Last Modified on 12/03/2014 17:42
