Cup contest honours Dr Manea

South Bunbury’s six-game winning streak looks likely to continue this weekend when the Tigers host Donnybrook under lights in the inaugural Manea Cup at Hands Oval on Saturday.

The fixture, named after the late Dr Ern Manea and taking place immediately following the WAFL blockbuster between Swan Districts and East Perth, pits together two clubs at opposite ends of the ladder.

The Tigers have not lost since the beginning of June and have doubled their opposition’s score in each of their last six outings, most recently romping to a 55-point win over the Collie Eagles off the back of a strong defensive platform laid by Ryan Smith, Dylan Harper, Matt Wilkinson and Corey Rota.

Donnybrook’s last win came against the Lions in round nine with injuries to key players – including Jeff Smith, Curtis Guglielmana and Chris Sheehan – exposing the club’s lack of depth since then.

A life member of South Bunbury and a long-time trophy donor to Donnybrook, Dr Manea had strong ties to both clubs according to son Mark.

“Dad had a belief that you can’t have a successful football team without successful opposition and was actually a member of four or five of the SWFL teams over the years, ” he said.

“He got involved with South Bunbury in 1952 shortly after arriving in the South West, is a past president of the club and was trustee for the Tigers until the time that he died.

“When he first came to Bunbury he ran a surgery in Donnybrook once a week so he also became involved with the club down there and has donated a trophy to the Dons every year since then.”

The winning team on Saturday night will be presented with the freshly minted Manea Trophy while the best player will be awarded the Manea Medal.

Mark Manea said his father, who is highly respected in football circles at regional, State and even national level, would have appreciated the gesture.

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