By Jon Geddes 

AS arch-rivals Manly and Warringah prepare to square off in their milestone 100th local derby at Manly Oval on Saturday, former Marlins five-eighth Matt Curll explained what it is like to get caught up in the passion that comes from playing in rugby’s version of State of Origin.

The only time Curll was sent off in his career was against the Rats under lights in the final game of the 1995 regular season at Narrabeen.

Within the first five minutes Warringah halfback Mark Catchpole got into a scuffle with his opposite number Kevin Hutchenson.

“Catchy had the upper hand and because I kicked the ball down field, I was the only one left so I went over to pull him off,” Curll told Rugby News. “Catchy then turned on me and started punching me and so I hit him back.” 

Referee Stu Dickinson sinbinned the warring halves and sent Curll off for being third man in.

It was a packed ground with some well-lubricated spectators by that stage.

“I copped an absolute gobful as I went past the grandstand,” Curll recalled with a chuckle.

“There was such an atmosphere created that emotions were high. It shows how fired up everyone was when you get two halfbacks fighting each other.

“I can quite proudly say to people I got sent off in my career and it was for fighting – and it was the only time I’ve ever thrown a punch.” 

Curll, who played in seven Shute Shield derbies, pointed out that he has now formed quite a good friendship with Catchpole

“These events bind you together even though you are mortal enemies, I don’t know what it is about rugby, the camaraderie is amazing,” he said.

WHAT FUELS THE FEUD 

THAT incident typifies why the Marlins v Rats clashes are highlights of each rugby season.

Like rugby league’s showpiece the passion is real, the feeling between the clubs is genuine as two tribes go to war and the form guide goes out the window when the neighbours clash.   

“It’s a really regular talking point and it’s a highlight for the community as well, there is a lot of hype about it,” Curll said. “And if you are a player you are aware of that hype – and there is almost an expectation that everyone plays with a real passion and an energy and puts on a show.”   

Warringah go into this derby having lost their last three game and Manly their last two.

Curll wondered if the players have been building up for this clash. He said the week before the derby players know what game is ahead of them and it has an impact.

 “I wouldn’t be surprised if it (Saturday’s derby) is a particularly big game,” he said.     

TWO-SIDED SKIPPER   

JOHN Hearn has had the distinction of having captained both the Warringah and Manly first grade teams and is amongst the very few players who have experienced the big derby from both sides. 

He was one of the toughest players of his era, a Rats’ stalwart and great club character who spent one season captaining Manly in 1999 before returning home.

From first-hand experience, Hearn said the derby means everything to both clubs.

“If you are travelling badly in a year and you can win a couple of derby games, that justifies your season,” he said. “And whatever position either team is, it’s always a good game of football.

“You still talk about games from 30 years ago, it is part of your life.”

MATT AGAINST MATE

MATT Skene can also vouch for the feeling that exist between the two clubs, having played in eight derbies for Manly and six for the Rats.

In one of the games when he was at Warringah, Skene found himself opposed to his good friend Trent Herring, who was in the Marlins’ side.

“We had a bit of a scuffle, he hit me in the eye and I had a few stitches,” Skene said. “We had a laugh about it after the game,”     

The former classy inside back said those clashes were highlights of his career, which also included stints in Italy, with the Sea Eagles and North Sydney Bears.  

“It was pretty special playing against mates and the crowd was just crazy,” he said. “And knowing that the people you were playing against were the people you were going to have a drink with at the end of the day.

“On a fine Saturday afternoon, you couldn’t ask for much more.”

He said the physicality always stepped up from the regular Shute Shield games. 

“Everyone put that date in the diary and you knew it was going to be on,” he said. “And all the sledging, that was a highlight as well.”

WHERE IT ALL STARTED 

THE first game between the clubs took place on April 24 1971 at Manly Oval, with the home side winning 21-17.

The two pioneering sides were –

Manly: 15 R Herring, 14 P Tillotson, 13 S Knight, 12 A Black, 11 K Chapman, 10 N Maltby, 9 W Florentine, 8 P Lumsdaine, 7 D Joy, 6 P Tocchini, 5 A Miller, 4 W James, 3 B Bergelin ©, 2 H Taylor, 1 T Mullins.

Warringah: 15 W Sainsmery, 14 C McDougall, 13 R Standing, 12 J Nolan, 11 P Booth, 10 R Ryan, 9 B Fraser ©, 8 P Drake, 7 R Macqueen, 6 K Sheldon, 5 M Chad, 4 B Millar, 3 R Watson, 2 J Ellis, 1 P Marks.

In a wonderful recognition of their legacy, fifteen of those players will be at Manly Oval on Saturday and presented to the crowd at halftime.

To honour the occasion the Rats’ first grade side will be playing in replica jerseys and socks from that original game in 1971.   

After the first 99 games, Manly have won 54, Warringah 42 and there have been three draws.

The final word goes to Curll who said: “There is nothing like the privilege of running on in first grade – or for that matter in any grade – in front of a big crowd on derby day.

“There is nothing better.”