1978 Wests v Manly Rd 7 Footbrawl

18th March 1978, Manly v Wests in Melbourne, the hatred began and continued to Round 7 at Lidcombe.
Not much of a game BUT a tough game played by tough players. The game plan, easy to see, bash 'em then play footy. Wests good at it as were Newtown in 1981.
Both teams defended admirably and were up to the task.
Call it thuggery but it brought people to the game and sold newspapers.

[@robertparry4929]

What a high shot...the Wests player is lucky to have a head!

[@tmm8521]

I know Rex was Manly to his bone marrow but, I think his commentary, unlike today's media, was balanced and as good as any callers we've had.
He always said that the 'Magpies' were his second favorite team and I think he enjoyed the way they played.
If you look at this games line ups you can understand why the Maggies only real option was to be very very aggressive.
The Manly team was full of 'stars' but were also great players Eadie, Thomson, Randal etc but, the maggies not so much.
Anyway, if they were any good, Manly would just buy them all eventually. Ken Arthurson would see to that.
Too painful a time for us old 'Magpie' fans, you know us, we followed the 'pies, and anyone who was playing Manly.......................... the loathing of Manly still lingers after all these years.............😄

[@eagleeric2598]

Rex was balanced in his call. You could hear disappointment in his call if Manly fail but unlike the current crop, he still applauded the opposition for good, tough play and bagged players/teams for poor play.

[@darkstars-torpedoes-of-truth]

Seeing this hurt our feelings, we are traumatized. - The bunker.

[@bretloyd8097]

I love Lidcombe.

[@fantomghost6213]

Woot Hoo!! Another great win by the Maggie over our Arch rivals!!

[@Holden308]

Yeah yeah. But the scoreboard at the SCG after the Grand Final read: Manly 16 - Cronulla 0
No Mapies ... plenty of seagulls flocked the ground that day (probably thought the cricket was on 😂) from memory, but no Mapies, especially of the Western Suburbs variety.
Seriously though, Wests had a damn good team that year. A more fitting 1978 GF would have been Manly v Wests.

[@fantomghost6213]

Agreed@@Holden308

[@eagleeric2598]

Can you imagine what the 78GF would have been between Manly & Wests@@Holden308 . I feel there may have been more footy than fighting.

[@glencoe1266]

Is this slapping before the game, game? Was it dialled to 11 because the 60 minutes cameras were there??

[@christouvelos4897]

i think that was done in 1979

[@eagleeric2598]

Correct Chris, 1979@@christouvelos4897

[@chopperdown9114]

Todays players like to hug and shake hands after the full time siren .

[@sniper10666]

Fuck me ; 28 penalties in this game , that high tackle these days would have the player suspended for two years minimum, les Boyd with the boot scrapping on the head would be a life ban,he was a dog of a player and prob the dirtiest player the game has seen , that’s why he won’t talk about the days he played I’d he’s still alive

[@zingleraster9124]

Why am I watching these old bumsniffers?

[@davidfife-nm7uy]

Don’t know. If you don’t like it, turn to the ballet on another channel

[@gcsbdatatrawl5916]

Cause Gaaaaaaay

[@chopperdown9114]

Same reason why you lick the cheese off a meat pole .