By Jonathan B Geddes & Clay Cross

NORTHERN Suburbs players turned to their centurion teammate James Margan for the inspiration they needed to score a thrilling 41-38 Shute Shield win over Manly at Manly Oval on Saturday. 

The presence of the stalwart hooker was front and centre in the minds of the team in what was his 100th grade game for the club.  

Trailing 31-22 at halftime, the message from Norths coach Zak Beer to his new-look team in the sheds was to play like their workhorse No.2. 

“I said we wanted to show the heart and tenacity like Margan – and I thought we certainly did that,” Beer told Rugby News. 

The coach revealed what an important part of the club Margan has become over his 100 games. 

“The Margan name will be one of a number of centurions who have reached 100 caps over the last couple of years that will be synonymous with this era and this decade of Norths,” Beer said. 

“He’s got a blend of being tough and ferocious, but also he can play in wider channels and can break tackles.”   

NO MARGAN FOR ERROR 

THE happy hooker was justifiably proud of Saturday’s career milestone after starting with Norths’ first grade Colts in 2016. 

“It means a lot, this club took me in when I was shafted from Sydney Uni and because of that I have never looked back,” he said. 

“I’ve felt very much at home and spent a lot of time here growing up. 

“I don’t think it is any coincidence that I’ve become half the man I am coming here and I sing this club’s praises to everyone I meet.”     

And Norths’ fightback added to the occasion for 28-year-old Margan. 

“When you are in what you consider the twilight of your career every game you cherish a little bit more,” he said.

“A game like today in the sun down at Manly Oval in round one, getting a victory away with a bonus point – when you probably play five out of 10 – is pretty good.”    

 NORTHS NEW FACES 

BEER faced a big rebuild over the off-season and that made Norths’ gutsy first round win against a spirited opposition all the more impressive. 

 “We lost 12 of our 23 players from the grand final last year and we debuted nine players,” Beer said. 

“Whilst it was clunky I was really proud in that second half that it looked like Norths’ tenacity and fight, regardless of who was wearing the jersey. 

“Guys are new but they are stepping into this jersey and they’ve got to understand  what it means to play for Norths.  

“The polish will come and over the next few weeks we will only get better from here.” 

Margan agreed with the observations of his coach when he said: “There were a heap of good things we did and a heap of things we need to change. 

“The combinations will form, we have a new nine, a new 10, a new 12, a new 14, a new 15 and a few new forwards so there is a lot of growth in us still.”          

Norths No.7 Marshall Le Maitre, who led Shore to the GPS premiership last season, made an impressive Shute Shield debut.    

SAM IN THE FAST LANE 

BEER made a point of congratulating his rival Manly coach Sam Lane, who has taken charge of the Marlins this season. 

“I want to give Laney a big wrap,” Beer said. “I think the layers that he has added to Manly’s game in their first hit out are evident.

“It is a credit to him – it is not an easy thing to do and they were brilliant through the grades. 

“Whilst Manly did not get the result today I think it is the start of a brilliant Shute Shield coaching career for Laney.”