MANLY HEAD COACH OPENS UP FOR FIRST TIME ABOUT MEETING HIS WIFE: “A MOMENT I’LL NEVER FORGET”
In a rare and heartfelt revelation, Manly Warringah Sea Eagles head coach has opened up publicly for the first time about his relationship with his wife, sharing the story of their fateful first meeting that sparked a love story he describes as life-changing.
Known for keeping his personal life private amid the intensity of NRL coaching, the mentor broke his silence in a candid conversation ahead of the festive season, offering a glimpse into the moment that would shape his world forever.
“It’s something I’ve never talked about publicly before – not with the media, not even in detail with some of my closest friends at the club,” he said. “But as we head into Christmas, surrounded by family, it feels like the right time to share that day with our fans, who have supported me through everything.”
He recalled the exact setting – a bustling Sydney café on a crisp autumn morning – where he first laid eyes on the woman who would become his wife. “I was running late for a meeting, rushing to grab a coffee, and I literally bumped into her at the counter,” he said, a warm smile crossing his face as he spoke. “We both dropped our things, and as we knelt down to pick them up, our hands touched. That’s when she looked up at me and said, ‘it a day I can’t forget’ – and even in that chaotic moment, I knew she was right.”
The coach emphasized that those simple words have stayed with him through every high and low of his career – from tough lossess on the field to the joy of leading his team to victory. “It a movement I will never ever forget,” he repeated, echoing her sentiment. “In that second, everything else faded away. I forgot about my meeting, forgot about the pressure of the job – all I could think about was her eyes, and how calm I felt, even though my heart was racing.”
He shared that they spent the next three hours talking at that same café, missing their respective appointments without a second thought. “She had no idea who I was – no interest in rugby league, no clue I was a coach,” he said. “That’s what made it so special – she fell for me, not for the title or the team.”
Years later, the couple still returns to that same café on their anniversary, reminiscing about the day their lives intertwined. “She still teases me about being late,” he laughed. “But I tell her every time that it was the best delay of my life.”
As he looks ahead to Manly’s 80th anniversary season, the coach said his wife remains his rock, providing the support and perspective that keeps him grounded in the high-stakes world of professional sport.
