Footy fans finding soft spot for Manly
THEY were once the club we used to hate but rugby league has fallen in love with the soaring Sea Eagles.
Unrestrained and unshackled, Manly has captivated and fascinated the NRL.
Manly’s surge into the finals has helped the club secure a multi-year sponsorship deal worth about $5m.
The club has attracted roaring television ratings through their swashbuckling style along with spikes in sponsorship, membership and social media.
They may not admit it to their anti-Manly mates, but footy fans are thriving on the once deplored Silvertails’ adventurous approach. Manly’s free-to-air and pay TV broadcasting ratings skyrocketed during their charge into the top four, with fans mesmerised by a team that has scored a record-breaking 28 tries from inside their own half since superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic returned from injury in round 6.
The Sea Eagles’ game against North Queensland last weekend recorded an 11.1 per cent TV ratings increase (290,000 viewers on Fox) on the corresponding game in 2019. There wasn’t a round 25 match last year due to a Covid-shortened season.
In round 23, Manly’s game against Canberra jumped a staggering 33.9 per cent (257,000 viewers on Fox) on the same match in 2019. The week before, Manly’s match against Parramatta (387,119 on Nine, 266,000 on Fox) was up 8.7 per cent while in round 21, the Manly v Melbourne clash logged a 26.8 per cent spike (403,945 on Nine, 269,000 on Fox) from the corresponding game in 2019. And here’s why.
Last weekend, Trbojevic finished off the try-of-theyear, an 80th minute movement against North Queensland which travelled 149m, according to GPS and game statistics data.
Collectively, Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick and Daly Cherry-Evans covered 429m during the play, Garrick running for 185m while attaining a maximum speed of 34.0 km/ hr. It was breathtaking.
Since Trbojevic returned in round six, Manly has scored 122 tries – the most of any club during that period. Manly scored more double Newcastle and Canterbury in that time. And, amazingly, 23 per cent of those Manly tries have started from inside their own half.
“We’re definitely playing a very entertaining, attacking brand of footy and that has caught the attention of both traditional and new fans to the game and Manly. The brand of footy is quite compelling,” Sea Eagles boss Stephen Humphreys said.
“I’ve got lots of friends of mine who sent me messages saying they never thought they’d see the day when they are really looking forward to watching Manly play, which is terrific.
“Manly was so successful in the past and I think most of us were envious of their ability to attract the best players.
“They had a real feeling of success and resolve about them. Over time, people have softened a bit to that and are now attracted to the footy we’re playing.
“We are thrilled at the opportunity we have created this year and I know the boys are totally focused on capitalising on that over the next few weeks. We also look forward with real confidence.”