Beaver: The Steve Menzies StorySteve Menzies has played more games at the top level of Australian rugby league, and scored more tries, than any other forward in history. He is second on the all-time appearance list, within striking distance of the record. Through 16 years at the coalface he has been an exemplary performer; talented and committed on the field, respectful and respected off it. This book tells the story not just of Steve The Beaver' Menzies, but of the tumultuous period in the game that has seen enormous change. When Beaver started as a teenager back in 1993, it was a simpler game with a more relaxed culture. With the arrival of Super League, big money, suffocating media scrutiny and diminishing club loyalty, rugby league became in many ways a different game altogether. This book paints the story of Steve Menzies' journey through that change. Of his adaptability and his loyalty to one club. Team mates from Hasler and Toovey to Orofrd and Kennedy, opponents from Fittler and Clyde to Johns and Lockyer. The Beaver' has played with and against the best over two decades. And his partnership with mercurial Cliffy Lyons was legendary. This is a story of not just matches won and lost, but a picture of the future of a game that has occupied all of Menzies' adult life. |
Contents
1 | |
9 | |
3 The start of it all | 20 |
4 Making the grade | 31 |
5 The genius of Cliffy Lyons | 41 |
6 The last Kangaroos | 50 |
7 The golden nineties | 63 |
8 The biggest day of all | 75 |
13 The aura of the Blues | 129 |
14 Delayed reaction | 141 |
15 Champions of my time | 151 |
16 Home too far away | 164 |
17 Living on the edge | 172 |
18 The art of celebrity | 178 |
19 Ten of the best | 189 |
20 Grappling with evolution | 205 |
9 War without end | 84 |
10 World Cup 1995 | 95 |
11 The coaches | 105 |
12 Home is where the heart is | 120 |
21 Now for the real world | 216 |
Index | 223 |
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Common terms and phrases
1996 grand final Andrew Johns attacking ball Ben Kennedy better Bob Fulton Bozo Brad Brad Fittler Brett Brookie Brookvale career Central Coast Cliffy Lyons club coach competition defence early feel field finished Fittler football footy Freddie fullback Geoff Toovey going golf grand final Harbord hard hole Hoppa Ian Roberts Joey Johns John Hopoate junior Kangaroo tour knew look loved Manly Sea Eagles Manly’s Mark Carroll match mates Matt Orford Matthew Ridge Menzies never Newcastle night Nik Kosef North Sydney Northern Eagles Origin Paul Harragon Photo courtesy play-the-ball played players premiership pretty Queensland reckon referee Ricky Stuart rugby league scored Sea Eagles season seemed side sort South Wales started Steve Super League Suyin tackle team-mates Terry Hill Test things thought Tommy took Tooves tries watch World Cup young blokes