Culture key for fledgling Sea Eagles

John Chammas

They've only been with the club a short time, but new recruits David Gower and Tom Symonds didn't take long to see that club culture is the key to the Sea Eagles' success.

Since joining the club in 2013, former Dragon and Tigers forward Gower has embraced the way of life in Manly and has played a part in the victories over Brisbane and most recently Newcastle.

The man they call ‘Gobbler’ admits the switch from Wollongong to the Northern Beaches has been a pleasant one, not simply because of the scenery but because of the welcoming attitude of his new teammates.

David Gower takes the ball up in the win against the Newcastle Knights.
Photo: Grant Trouville - nrlphotos.com

“It’s been great. It’s an easy transition. The boys are unreal,” Gower said.

“When you look at the core group of players that have been here for a long time, it’s quite easy to see there’s a great bunch of senior players and they make the transition for new players, or younger players very easy.

"Just the professionalism of the whole club in general, from the front office to the training staff and the boys. You can just see why it’s been such a successful club.”

Symonds agrees, saying the Sea Eagles' strong culture and team dynamic are great examples of success breeding success.

Symonds was forced out of the Sydney Roosters due to big off season recruitments in Sonny Bill Williams, James Maloney, Michael Jennings and Luke 0’Donnell.

It wasn’t an easy choice to leave his childhood hometown to come and live in Manly. Symonds played all his junior football with the Roosters but admitted moving to the Sea Eagles has been a very interesting transition and one that will further his career.

"Manly's got a lot of older, experienced guys here," the former Rooster said.

"They know how to win and they've built a successful club over the last few years, whereas the Roosters have got a young squad and are sort of developing that under a new coach.

"In terms of differences everything's a bit more established and set up around here."

Tom Symonds carrying the ball for his new club.
Photo: Robb Cox - nrlphotos.com

Gower made eight NRL appearances in two years for the Dragons but is eager to add to that tally with the Sea Eagles.

Injuries to Jason King and Glenn Stewart have given Gower an early opportunity to impress his new coach.

“Personally, if I can lock in a spot in the 17 that would be great but more importantly just doing my job for the team and for Tooves and Brad (Arthur) and the staff.”

Gower admits his first couple of appearances for Manly haven't been his best but he's determined to iron out the wrinkles this week.

"I've got a few areas to improve on. I've got hold the ball I think," he laughed. "There's parts of my game that are going alright and parts I need to improve on.

"That's footy: You're always improving and you're always learning. So I've got a few little things to tighten up."

about Saturday nights Sydney derby between the Sixers and the Thunder at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Just like the rivalry

 built up in an Ashes series between Australia and England, the Sixers and Thunder have formed their own rivalry From a player’s

 perspective, the Sixers and Thunder fixture isn’t just another game of cricket. The players have pencilled the Sydney derby in the since the release of the BBL/02 draw. “david warner quote coming soon “ Despite the Sixers taking out both the Big Bash League and the Champions League Trophy, the kings of T20 cricket will need to be at their best to beat the Thunder on Saturday night. The Sixers have snatched former Thunder recruit’s David Warner and Dan Smith as well as signing Sri Lankan import’s Jeevan Mendis and Sunil Narine. The Thunder have been dealt with a massive blow just days prior to the season opener, as the world’s number one Test batsman and captain Michael Clarke was withdrawn from his only scheduled BBL fixture for the Thunder by Cricket Australia. “ usman khawaja article coning soon “ The two sides met for the first time at ANZ Stadium last season in front of a crowd of just over 31,000 as the Sixers prevailed on a cold and rainy night in Sydney. The home side are firm favourites against the Thunder and will be looking to improve on their 10 game winni

heartttt attack

The Melbourne heart have recorded just their second win this season, defeating defending champions Brisbane Roar 4-1 on a wet night at AAMI Park. In an 11 minute scoring blitz, the Heart put 3 goals behind Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo, to all but seal victory in the 73rd minute. The Heart were simply too good for a Brisbane side that lacked enthusiasm and attacking flare without their star striker Besart Berisha. The Melbourne side looked the more convincing in the early stages of the game and were rewarded in the 20th minute. A flat cross from Mate Dugandzic just outside the 18-yard box provided the opening goal for Patrick Gerhardt. A sliding near post finish from the import put the home side in front to lead 1-0. Brisbane dominated possession in the later stages of the first half and thought to have equalised just 5 minutes out from half time. A sliding Mitch Nickols cross saw Henriques guide the ball into the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed. The linesman ruling on a controversial incorrect goal kick. In a second half that saw possession dominated by the roar, it was yet again the Heart who scored first. A cool finish in the 62nd minute by striker Richard Garcia had the home side in a commanding position. Roar defender Matt German gifted the heart a penalty kick 8 minutes later, all but ending any chance of a Brisbane comeback. Josip Tadic steering the ball into the right hand side of the net to have the Heart leading 3-0. David Williams capped off the night with a composed finish in the 73rd minute, curling the ball around the goalkeeper to hand his side a well-earned victory. A simple tap in goal to Henriques in the 81st minute nothing but a consolation goal for the Roar. The victory places the Heart in 5th position, while Brisbane ironically are at the bottom of the table having only recorded one win in six games this season.

The Melbourne heart have recorded just their second win this season, defeating defending champions Brisbane Roar 4-1 on a wet night at AAMI Park. In an 11 minute scoring blitz, the Heart put 3 goals behind Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo, to all but seal victory in the 73rd minute. The Heart were simply too good for a Brisbane side that lacked enthusiasm and attacking flare without their star striker Besart Berisha. The Melbourne side looked the more convincing in the early stages of the game and were rewarded in the 20th minute. A flat cross from Mate Dugandzic just outside the 18-yard box provided the opening goal for Patrick Gerhardt. A sliding near post finish from the import put the home side in front to lead 1-0. Brisbane dominated possession in the later stages of the first half and thought to have equalised just 5 minutes out from half time. A sliding Mitch Nickols cross saw Henriques guide the ball into the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed. The linesman ruling on a controversial incorrect goal kick. In a second half that saw possession dominated by the roar, it was yet again the Heart who scored first. A cool finish in the 62nd minute by striker Richard Garcia had the home side in a commanding position. Roar defender Matt German gifted the heart a penalty kick 8 minutes later, all but ending any chance of a Brisbane comeback. Josip Tadic steering the ball into the right hand side of the net to have the Heart leading 3-0. David Williams capped off the night with a composed finish in the 73rd minute, curling the ball around the goalkeeper to hand his side a well-earned victory. A simple tap in goal to Henriques in the 81st minute nothing but a consolation goal for the Roar. The victory places the Heart in 5th position, while Brisbane ironically are at the bottom of the table having only recorded one win in six games this season.

heart attack

The Melbourne heart have recorded just their second win this season, defeating defending champions Brisbane Roar 4-1 on a wet night at AAMI Park.

In an 11 minute scoring blitz, the Heart put 3 goals behind Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo, to all but seal victory in the 73^rd minute.

The Heart were simply too good for a Brisbane side that lacked enthusiasm and attacking flare without their star striker Besart Berisha.

The Melbourne side looked the more convincing in the early stages of the game and were rewarded in the 20th minute. A flat cross from Mate Dugandzic just outside the 18-yard box provided the opening goal for Patrick Gerhardt. A sliding near post finish from the import put the home side in front to lead 1-0. 

Brisbane dominated possession in the later stages of the first half and thought to have equalised just 5 minutes out from half time. A sliding Mitch Nickols cross saw Henriques guide the ball into the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed. The linesman ruling on a controversial incorrect goal kick.

In a second half that saw possession dominated by the roar, it was yet again the Heart who scored first. A cool finish in the 62^nd minute by striker Richard Garcia had the home side in a commanding position.

Roar defender Matt German gifted the heart a penalty kick 8 minutes later, all but ending any chance of a Brisbane comeback. Josip Tadic steering the ball into the right hand side of the net to have the Heart leading 3-0.

David Williams capped off the night with a composed finish in the 73^rd minute, curling the ball around the goalkeeper to hand his side a well-earned victory.

A simple tap in goal to Henriques in the 81^st minute nothing but a consolation goal for the Roar.

The victory places the Heart in 5^th position, while Brisbane ironically are at the bottom of the table having only recorded one win in six games this season.   

HEART ATTACK

The Melbourne heart have recorded just their second win this season, defeating defending champions Brisbane Roar 4-1 on a wet night at AAMI Park.

In an 11 minute scoring blitz, the Heart put 3 goals behind Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo, to all but seal victory in the 73^rd minute.

The Heart were simply too good for a Brisbane side that lacked enthusiasm and attacking flare without their star striker Besart Berisha.

The Melbourne side looked the more convincing in the early stages of the game and were rewarded in the 20th minute. A flat cross from Mate Dugandzic just outside the 18-yard box provided the opening goal for Patrick Gerhardt. A sliding near post finish from the import put the home side in front to lead 1-0. 

Brisbane dominated possession in the later stages of the first half and thought to have equalised just 5 minutes out from half time. A sliding Mitch Nickols cross saw Henriques guide the ball into the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed. The linesman ruling on a controversial incorrect goal kick.

In a second half that saw possession dominated by the roar, it was yet again the Heart who scored first. A cool finish in the 62^nd minute by striker Richard Garcia had the home side in a commanding position.

Roar defender Matt German gifted the heart a penalty kick 8 minutes later, all but ending any chance of a Brisbane comeback. Josip Tadic steering the ball into the right hand side of the net to have the Heart leading 3-0.

David Williams capped off the night with a composed finish in the 73^rd minute, curling the ball around the goalkeeper to hand his side a well-earned victory.

A simple tap in goal to Henriques in the 81^st minute nothing but a consolation goal for the Roar.

The victory places the Heart in 5^th position, while Brisbane ironically are at the bottom of the table having only recorded one win in six games this season.   

Roar suffer Heart Attack

Roar suffer Heart Attack

By John Chammas

Roar suffer Heart Attack By John Chammas The Melbourne heart have recorded just their second win this season, defeating defending champions Brisbane Roar 4-1 on a wet night at AAMI Park. In an 11 minute scoring blitz, the Heart put 3 goals behind Brisbane goalkeeper Michael Theo, to all but seal victory in the 73rd minute. The Heart were simply too good for a Brisbane side that lacked enthusiasm and attacking flare without their star striker Besart Berisha. The Melbourne side looked the more convincing in the early stages of the game and were rewarded in the 20th minute. A flat cross from Mate Dugandzic just outside the 18-yard box provided the opening goal for Patrick Gerhardt. A sliding near post finish from the import put the home side in front to lead 1-0. Brisbane dominated possession in the later stages of the first half and thought to have equalised just 5 minutes out from half time. A sliding Mitch Nickols cross saw Henriques guide the ball into the back of the net, only for the goal to be disallowed. The linesman ruling on a controversial incorrect goal kick. In a second half that saw possession dominated by the roar, it was yet again the Heart who scored first. A cool finish in the 62nd minute by striker Richard Garcia had the home side in a commanding position. Roar defender Matt German gifted the heart a penalty kick 8 minutes later, all but ending any chance of a Brisbane comeback. Josip Tadic steering the ball into the right hand side of the net to have the Heart leading 3-0. David Williams capped off the night with a composed finish in the 73rd minute, curling the ball around the goalkeeper to hand his side a well-earned victory. A simple tap in goal to Henriques in the 81st minute nothing but a consolation goal for the Roar. The victory places the Heart in 5th position, while Brisbane ironically are at the bottom of the table having only recorded one win in six games this season.