NORMLESS

#32 Matt Orford: Manly Warringah Sea Eagles Golden Era

Episode Summary

One of Manly’s favourite sons, Matt ‘Ox’ Orford. Grew up on the Central Coast of NSW a humble young man. Short in stature, but true grit and tenacity to achieve his dream of becoming a professional rugby league footballer. After 11 games with the Northern Eagles in 2000, Ox was signed to join Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm in 2001 amongst the likes of Billy Slater and Cameron Smith Orford won player of the year in 2004 before linking again with the Manly Warringah Sea again in 2006 after the de-merger of the Northern Eagles. This time Matt assumed an important responsibility as Captain of the club, the beginning of a new era of success for the Sea Eagles. In 2008, Ox won Halfback of the year and was crowned the Dally M Medalist joining an illustrious group of players to win the award. Despite losing the grand final in 2007, finishing runners up after the conclusion of 26 rounds in 08’, and suffering 2 from 2 loses at the hands of Melbourne throughout regular season that same year. The Sea Eagles backs were against the wall. It was this finals series Manly’s accomplished one of the most empathic finals campaigns the NRL has seen in years, Beating the Dragons in the Qualifying final, Warriors in the preliminary final and then the Storm in the big dance to achieved the biggest grand final victory in NRL history, with a total for and against for the finals series 110 to 12. In this episode you can expect to hear some personal insights from Matt’s recent Stroke he suffered in 2016, his experiences in the Super League, overcoming injuries and his awe inspiring partnership with the prince of Brookvale Brett Stewart.

Episode Notes

After 11 games with the Northern Eagles in 2000, Ox was signed to join Craig Bellamy’s Melbourne Storm in 2001 amongst the likes of Billy Slater and Cameron Smith Orford won player of the year in 2004 before linking again with the Manly Warringah Sea again in 2006 after the de-merger of the Northern Eagles. This time Matt assumed an important responsibility as Captain of the club, the beginning of a new era of success for the Sea Eagles.

In 2008, Ox won Halfback of the year and was crowned the Dally M Medalist joining an illustrious group of players to win the award. Despite losing the grand final in 2007, finishing runners up after the conclusion of 26 rounds in 08’, and suffering 2 from 2 loses at the hands of Melbourne throughout regular season that same year. The Sea Eagles backs were against the wall.

It was this finals series Manly’s accomplished one of the most empathic finals campaigns the NRL has seen in years, Beating the Dragons in the Qualifying final, Warriors in the preliminary final and then the Storm in the big dance to achieved the biggest grand final victory in NRL history, with a total for and against for the finals series 110 to 12.

In this episode you can expect to hear some personal insights from Matt’s recent Stroke he suffered in 2016, his experiences in the Super League, overcoming injuries and his awe inspiring partnership with the prince of Brookvale Brett Stewart.

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