Steven Menzies

Steven Menzies (born 4 December 1973), also known by the nickname of "Beaver", is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer best known for his career with the Manly Sea Eagles. He also played for the Bradford Bulls and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. Menzies has spent the majority of his playing career in the back row, but he also played as a centre, five-eighth and as a utility player off the bench.

Steve Menzies

Personal information
Full name	Steven Menzies
Born	(1973-12-04) 4 December 1973 Manly, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Height	190 cm (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	98 kg (15 st 6 lb) [1]
Position	Second-row, Lock, Centre, Five-eighth
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1993–99 Manly Sea Eagles 150 104 0 0 416 2000–02 Northern Eagles 69 29 0 0 116 2003–08 Manly Sea Eagles 130 47 1 0 186 2009–10 Bradford Bulls 57 27 1 0 110 2011–13 Catalans Dragons 71 31 0 0 124 Total 477 238 2 0 952 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1995–05 NSW City Origin 8 2 0 0 8 1995–06 New South Wales 20 4 0 0 16 1995–06 Australia 13 9 0 0 36 2012–13 Exiles 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3]

He joined the Bradford Bulls in the Super League from the 2009 season.[4]

Universally known as "Beaver", Menzies is a noted defender, but is best known as the most prolific try scoring forward in rugby league. His total of 180 tries is third in Australian first grade rugby league, behind former North Sydney and Manly player Ken Irvine, who scored 212 tries, and former Melbourne Storm player Billy Slater. In total Steven has played 510 first grade, state of origin and test games, scoring 251 tries.

He is well known for wearing headgear during games, having done so throughout his entire career, as well as his loyalty to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Early life

Menzies was born in Manly, New South Wales, Australia.

Menzies is the grandson of Manly-Warringah pioneer Mackie Campbell who had played in the centres in Manly's first ever game in 1947 against Western Suburbs at Manly's long time home ground Brookvale Oval. While attending Narrabeen High School, Menzies played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1992.[5] His junior club was Harbord United.[6] As a teenager he turned down an offer of $5,000 from Manly's local rivals the North Sydney Bears to later sign with Manly for $9,000 in 1993.[7]

Playing career

1990s

Menzies made his first grade debut for Manly-Warringah against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 13 1993 at Brookvale Oval. Menzies was a member of the Manly sides which won three consecutive minor premierships between 1995 to 1997 and also played in three consecutive grand finals between those years.

Menzies won his first premiership with Manly in 1996 as they defeated St George 20-8 in the decider which was played at the Sydney Football Stadium. Menzies scored a try in the match.

Menzies played for Manly-Warringah until the end of 1999 and featured in what was then Manly's last game as a stand-alone entity when they played against St George in Round 26 1999. At the end of 1999, Manly-Warringah controversially merged with arch rivals North Sydney as part of the competitions rationalisation strategy and became the Northern Eagles. Menzies finished as Manly's top try scorer in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999.[8][9][10]

2000s

Menzies continued into the early 2000s playing for the Northern Eagles and finished as the club's top try scorer in 2002. Menzies played in the Northern Eagles final ever game which was against Penrith in Round 26 2002 which the Northern Eagles lost 68-28 at Brookvale Oval. Menzies scored a try in the defeat. Following the conclusion of the 2002 NRL season, the Northern Eagles were dissolved and the licence was given back to Manly-Warringah.[11][12]

In 2004 Steve Menzies surpassed rugby league and Glebe stalwart Frank Burge's record of 'Most Tries Scored by a Forward' when he scored his 147th try against St George Illawarra. Since then Menzies has gone on to amass a tally of 180 tries in 349 games, both club records at the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Menzies playing for the Sea Eagles in 2007

When Manly reached the Grand Final in 2007 Menzies was the sole surviving member of the club's last Grand Final appearance back in 1997. He started in his fourth Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm but the Manly side was unsuccessful in securing the premiership trophy.

After speculation on his retirement from rugby league, Menzies announced in October 2007 that he had re-signed with the Manly Sea Eagles for 2008 on a one-year contract, stating that he would likely retire at the conclusion of the 2008 season.[13]

Steven Menzies at the celebration of the winning of the 2008 NRL Grand Final

After a record-breaking club career with Manly and the Northern Eagles, Menzies had the opportunity to play in another Grand Final - again against Melbourne. Unlike 2007, Manly were the overwhelmingly dominant side, defeating the defending premiers 40-0 - a grand final record. By playing in the 2008 grand final, Menzies equalled Terry Lamb's record of 349 first-grade games. He was one of eight Manly try-scorers on the day and completed his playing-career in Australia with 180 tries - second only to Ken Irvine but first among try-scoring forwards. With less than ten minutes left on the clock, Menzies completed his fairytale by scoring a try with his first touch after coming off the bench for a second time, replacing the injured Steve Matai. His efforts in the Grand Final of 2008 will be entered in Northern Beaches and Rugby League folklore and have earned him legendary status, as well as the 'Performer of the Week' award from the Sydney Morning Herald.[14] In anticipation of equalling Lamb's record with his final appearance, Manly was reported to have made Menzies an offer to make a cameo appearance in 2009 to break the record. Menzies' response confirmed his and Lamb's standing among the greats:

"I wouldn't consider coming back for one game and cheapening the record or anything," said Menzies.

"If I fell one short or equalled it or whatever then that's my career and the way it finishes.

"(Lamb) was such a great player ... I'm very honoured to stand next to him.

Menzies announced in July 2008, that he had agreed to a one-year contract with the Bradford Bulls in the Super League for the 2009 season. Manly was unable to offer Menzies a further contract due to salary cap restraints. Menzies stated he could only continue to play overseas as playing against the club he loves "was not an option".[15][16]

The record of 349 games jointly held by Menzies and Lamb was broken by Brisbane's Darren Lockyer on 12 August 2011.

2010s

Menzies extended his contract with the Bradford Bulls until the end of 2010.

After being released by Bradford Bulls at the end of the 2010 season, Menzies signed a one-year deal with French club Catalans Dragons. The season started poorly for the side from the south of France, but the Dragons soon became one of the form sides in Super League.

Menzies playing for the Catalans Dragons in 2011

In September 2012, Menzies announced yet another one-year contract extension with the Catalans Dragons. The Australian former international, who in 2012 became the oldest player in Super League history, started his 21st professional season in 2013.[17]

Menzies was selected for the Exiles squad for the Rugby League International Origin Match against England at Headingley on 10 June 2011.[18]

Menzies announced his forthcoming retirement as a professional rugby league footballer on 4 July 2013. He stated that the current (2013) season would be his last. He explained his decision as "I'm still enjoying playing and I feel good mentally and physically, but it was the right time to finish. My biggest fear was to play one season too long and I'm happy with my decision."[19]

Menzies played his last game at the KC Stadium in Hull on 13 September 2013. Catalans Dragons were eliminated from the Superleague playoffs, losing 14 points to 4 against Hull FC. After the match, the Hull fans paid tribute to Menzies as he joined the Hull players in the Lap of Honour.[20]

In February 2014, Menzies temporarily came out of retirement to play for his old club Manly at the inaugural Auckland Nines competition.[21]

Menzies became a commentator for Foxsports in 2014 before transitioning into a role on The Matty Johns Show in 2015.

Career statistics

Menzies also played 11 tour games (no tests and 4 games from the bench) for Australia on the 1994 Kangaroo tour where he scored 9 tries. During his 20-year career at both club and representative level (not including Kangaroo tour games), Menzies scored at the incredible rate of a try for every 2.05 games he played, or a strike rate of 48.65%.

From 2008 until Round 2 of the 2015 NRL season, Menzies held the record for most tries scored at Brookvale Oval with 78 in his career. This record was broken by Manly fullback Brett Stewart who scored his 78th and 79th tries at the ground in a 24-22 win over the Melbourne Storm on 14 March 2015.

Team	Matches	Tries	Goals	FG	Points	Years
Manly-Warringah	280	151	1	0	602	1993-99, 2003–08
Northern Eagles	69	29	0	0	116	2000-02
Bradford Bulls	57	27	1	0	110	2009-10
Catalans Dragons	71	31	0	0	124	2011-13
City Origin	8	2	0	0	8	1995-2005
New South Wales	20	4	0	0	16	1995-2006
Australia (Test)	13	9	0	0	36	1995-2006
Australia (tour games)	11	9	0	0	36	1995-2006
Exiles	2	0	0	0	0	2012-13
Total	531	262	2	0	1,038	1993-2013

References

1. "Dragons Catalans". web page. Dragons Catalans S.A.S.P. 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
2. Rugby League Project
3. loverugbyleague
4. "2009 NRL Player Movements". NRL Live. 4 October 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 4 October 2008.
5. "SportingPulse Homepage for Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League". SportingPulse. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
6. Steve Menzies at nrlstats.com Archived 12 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine
7. Money magazine, April 2009 edition, pg16
8. "Manly greats Lyons, Menzies added to Hall of Fame". The Australian.
9. "Tribute to 1996 Premiers at Brookie". Manly Sea Eagles.
10. "Brad Fittler calls for Manly Sea Eagles and North Sydney Bears to merge and form a 'behemoth' club". Fox Sports.
11. "August 7: Magical Rabbitohs debut; vote for Carney's return". NRL.
12. "NRL 2002 Round 26". Rugby League Project.
13. "Menzies signs one-year deal with Manly". Fairfax Digital. 23 October 2007. Retrieved 25 October 2007.
14. Performer of the week Archived 3 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine - Sydney Morning Herald
15. "STEVE MENZIES ANNOUNCEMENT - update". Manly Sea Eagles. 17 July 2008. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 17 July 2008.
16. FitzGibbon, Liam (17 July 2008). "Beaver heading to Bradford". Fox Sports News (Australia). Retrieved 19 July 2008.
17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 1 April 2016. Retrieved 2012-09-18.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
18. "Warrington dominate Exiles picks for Origin fixture". bbc.co.uk. 4 May 2011. Retrieved 4 May 2011.
19. "Steve Menzies announces retirement". Sporting Life. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
20. "Super League: Hull FC 14-4 Catalan (sic) Dragons". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 September 2013.

Further reading

• Menzies, Steve; Tasker, Norman (2008). Beaver: the Steve Menzies story. Allen & Unwin. ISBN 9781741755602.

External links

• Bradford Bulls profile
• Menzies

Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame