Graham Lowe: Toovey treatment a disgrace

Outgoing Manly coach Geoff Toovey. Photo / Getty

Opinion

While coaching Manly I can recall vividly a number of times when our backs were to the wall and we were down at halftime with everything in front of us.

As coach I always tried to identify the problems and encourage the players to overcome them in whatever way I thought would work.

Geoff Toovey who was our Manly halfback would never be able to help himself and even though he wasn't captain, he would rip into the players about how they should never give up, no matter what.

As one of the smallest players playing the game at that time he always had the biggest say, and nothing has changed in his coaching career.

I'm very proud of Tooves and especially the manner in which he has conducted himself this season as his detractors have tried to derail his team.

The class and style of the Manly players over the last three rounds has been just spectacular.

Given no hope and hammered by every man and his dog, Toovey had a special meeting with his team during the week before the Warriors game and together, they decided enough was enough.

I got a call from Geoff the day before they played the Warriors and after that conversation I had no doubt in my mind they would put the Warriors to the sword, which they did.

To say he was brimming with confidence is an understatement, but his intensity, single mindedness, passion and love for his players dripped through the phone.

He had been told he didn't have the job next season and a number of the players had been told they were also unwanted. So they have set about showing just how good they are, and aren't they doing it in style.

I can't recall ever before a coach having to put up publicly with what Toovey has had to cop. Really it has been a disgrace.

Yes they did start this season very poorly and well below the expectations of their own standards. But some sections of the media in Sydney have ripped into the former halfback like rabid dogs.

Anyhow led by their captain Jamie Lyon, who without doubt is the greatest centre in the game in this era, Manly have really shown their class.

And who knows, from nowhere, they could very well be playing in the finals.

I can't do Tooves justice in this column because I could never explain just what a great man, player, and now coach Geoff Toovey is.

I'm sure there have been better coaches but what Toovey has had to do and the mine field of Manly politics he has had to tip toe through, and now produce the team that is currently playing the best brand of footy in the NRL, exemplifies the quality of the little bloke. I love him.

His physical toughness as a player was legendary, and he has now shown that also mentally, he is afraid of nothing.

If your players really want to play for you, the world is your oyster.

It wouldn't surprise me at all if his team the Sea Eagles, were doing the victory lap at the end of the season.