1971 - Aged 17 played 33 Reserve Grade games with a couple of 1st Grade appearances.
1972 - First full year of first grade. Played only 12 games due to injury. Played in Manly's first ever grand final win. Selected in the NSW Colts side.
1973 - Full year in 1st Grade with another Grand Final win. Plus selected in the Kangaroo Tour.
1974 - Another good year as leading points scorer. Won Rothman's Medal for Best and fairest. Made the semi final. Smashed nose in 2nd test at SCG against Great Britain.
1975 - Another successful year with Manly making the semi finals again.
1976 - Manly won their third Premiership in 5 years, beating Parramatta Eels who were in their first Grand Final. Kicked 5 goals to help win 13 - 10.
1977 - Manly made the semi finals but not a very consistant season.
1978 - Grand Final title no 4 the hard way ! 2 replays, 6 games plus a Kangaroo Tour ... What a great season !
1979 - 80 - Disappointing years we never played to our potential.
1981 - A good season but missed out on a Grand Final because of a stupid decision... to fight instead of playing the ball.
1982 - 83 A grand final appearance but no accolades. Great team but not the way to retire from Manly.
In summary ... Graham recalls...
As a 17 year old heading to the big smoke in 1971, I felt a little apprehensive about what lay ahead. Not knowing what to expect, have I made the right decision ? Will I be accepted by my peers ? What will be my boarding accommodation like ? Am I out of my depth ?
Within the first month all concerns where put to rest. I fitted into Manly and the city life and got on with my career.
In the 13 years at Manly I met some terrific people who assisted me tremendously... Ken Arthurson, John Tennison, Ken Chapman, Alec Tennant and John Barber to name just a few. These guys were a big influence on my life at the club.
Career Highlights were ... playing in 4 Premiership winning teams. Being selected on 2 Kangaroo Tours and a World Cup Tour. 12 Tests and 8 World Cups games.
Manly Warringah was a club that looked after their players. Some people may argue this but Manly have the most 200 + game player in the league.
During the Manly years I met and married Barb Chapman my first wife and started our family in the years to come producing three boys Brook, Todd and Clint.
Winning the Prestigious Rothman's Medal in 1974 was a great hightlight, beating two of the Greats of Rugby League Ron Coote and Arthur Beetson. To top it off I was awarded 'the golden boots'.
I finished my career with Manly in 1983 with two disappointing grand final loses to Parramatta in 1982 - 83. However, the positives definitely outweighed the negatives in the years I spent as a Sea Eagle.
