The Manly Sea Eagles are rallying around one of the greatest players to represent the club in champion fullback Graham Eadie, who is suffering from serious health issues.
‘Wombat’, as he is affectionately known, was rushed to hospital earlier this week after suffering two suspected seizures.
Eadie is a member of a large community of former Sydney rugby league stars living on the Gold Coast.
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“There are a lot of former Manly players up here and they get together every week for coffee and they are all thinking of Graham and wishing him well,” former Sea Eagles star and Rothmans Medal winner Mike Eden told Wide World of Sports.
“We go way back – I got into first grade for my debut when he did his hamstring in 1982 so I always jokingly thank him for that.
Manly legend Graham Eadie holds up his 1978 grand final jersey. Supplied/Facebook
“Graham is a real Manly legend.”
Eadie arrived at Manly as a teenager from Woy Woy on the Central Coast in 1971 and was a one club man before going to England.
He played 237 games for the Sea Eagles before playing 72 at Halifax.
Eadie, aged 72, was inducted into the NRL Hall of Fame in 2018 and won four premierships at Manly in 1972, 1973, 1976 and 1978 and took out the 1974 Rothmans Medal.
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Graham Eadie in 1976. Nine
He played 20 Tests for Australia and was a key figure in the Kangaroos domination of England in the 1970s.
“He was the classic 1970s larrikin – loved a beer and a laugh and was very popular in the group,” Eden said.
“I know the club is helping him out a bit and everyone is thinking of him and hoping he can get out of hospital soon.”