This Friday night, when the Parramatta Eels take on the Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium in Round 23 of the NRL Telstra Premiership, Eels’ co-captain Tim Mannah will run out for his 200th first grade appearance in the Blue and Gold.
Mannah, who debuted for the Club in Round One of the 2009 season will become just the 12th player to play 200 games for the Eels.
Speaking ahead of the milestone, Blue & Gold Head Coach Brad Arthur paid tribute to the loyal and selfless clubman.
“A win this week will be really good for us in terms of Tim Mannah’s 200th. That is the priority for us.” Arthur said.
“It’s big for the playing group, they know that Tim Mannah has played his whole career at this Club and he has had some good times, but times where the Club has struggled over the last couple of years.” Arthur added.
“The majority of this playing group has been together for a while and whilst its important for them individually to play finals football, its more important this week that they play for their team mate.”
“They have to put their bodies on the line, play physical and give him the reward that he deserves.”
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His fellow teammates paid compliments to him earlier in the week.
“It is also Timmy’s 200th so we will have to put in a big performance for him. He is a legend of the Club.” Mitch Moses said.
“He has done a lot, been through it all and been here since the start of his career and been through all the ups and downs, so it will be big for him.”
“Tim, to put one word to him, would be selfless. He always puts the team first, so this Friday, to get a good crowd and play for him, it will be an honour to join the field with him,” Eels forward Suaia Matagi said.
“He has been a standout and one player that I wanted to play alongside.” Matagi added when asked of how Mannah rates against the other captain’s Matagi has played with.
“I am really honoured to do that, but also get to start alongside him.”
Of his milestone match, Mannah said it had been "a huge honour and to be able to do it at this place I'm very passionate about, I consider myself very fortunate."
Mannah claimed the prestigious Ken Thornett Medal in 2015, with the Eels captain recognised by his peers as the best player in that season.
The forward represented his state in 2010-11, playing four games for NSW along with four games for City from 2010-2013. He also played in the Prime Minister’s XIII side in 2012.
