This article has been transcribed without permission from The Manly Daily, Tuesday, 2nd May, 1995, page 28.
Manly-Warringah's strong 24-6 win over St George cemented spots for six ARL-loyal Sea Eagles in the opening representative match of the season on Friday night.
Winger Craig Hancock, centre Terry Hill, prop Mark Carroll and second-rower Steve Menzies have been picked in the City Origin side, with young lock Nik Kosef and veteran prop David Gillespie in the Country Origin outfit.
Hancock sealed his spot in his first senior representative side with a fine winger's game against Saints at Brookvale Oval on Saturday. Hancock was on the spot to take an inside pass from Terry Hill and play a major role in Manly's opening try, then later in the game showed great evasive skills to score a try of his own.
The selection, regarded by many as long overdue, came as a surprise to the 25-year-old. Hancock and wife Natalie were watching the Sunday night movie at his parents' place when he heard the news. ``I found out when a news break came on,'' Hancock said. ``I thought I might have been a slight chance, but I was surprised.''
Early yesterday Hancock was awaiting the call from City Origin management. The local junior said it was too early to think about his chances of a NSW State of Origin guernsey. ``I'm just trying to find out what I have to do,'' Hancock said. ``I've got to find out whether there'll be a physical today or not. As far as State of Origin goes, I'll just see how I go on Friday night.''
The selection of Nik Kosef in the country team follows his outstanding return to the game from two knee reconstruction operations. Hill, Menzies and Carroll are no surprise, while 31-year-old Gillespie makes his return to rep football after some powerful displays for the Sea Eagles. Manly forward Ian Roberts missed out on the City Origin side when selectors chose to overlook those with Super League ties.
The Manly rep six will have to back up from Friday night's game at Steelers Stadium for the clash with the Sydney Bulldogs at Parramatta Stadium on Monday night. A boost for the side will be the availability of Roberts in the wake of his knee arthroscopy. Half-back Geoff Toovey is also a chance of playing after learning that he won't need surgery on his broken foot. While there is still a crack in the bone, Toovey said he would not have to wait until it healed before he resumed playing. ``I'll see how I go at training this week,'' the Manly skipper said.
The spiteful win over St George gave the Sea Eagles the most successful start to a season in club history. Manly's eight consecutive wins have the side at the top of the competition table with a formidable for and against record. The Sea Eagles have conceded only 80 points, the side's scrambling defence playing a big role in the win over the Dragons. Manly went to half time with a 12-0 lead, but an opportunist try to Saints half Noel Goldthorpe in the opening minutes of the second half put the visitors back in the game. For the next 10 minutes the Dragons pounded the Sea Eagles' line, but simply couldn't find a way through.
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