Eagles Angels News

Women Of Manly - Suyin - The inside on Beaver's Signing

5/6/2006

By Mary Finklesen - Eagles Angels Manager

The minute I found out about our beloved Steve ‘Beaver’ Menzies I got on the phone and booked a visit with his partner Suyin to get the inside scoop.  So over a glass or two of red wine and rich, full cream smelly cheese and olives we talked about the decision that had the whole of the Northern Beaches anxiously waited for.

Are you happy that the decision has finally been made?
Yes - I’m very happy and Steven is happy with his decision.  The decision was his to make - it was really important to me that he make his final career decision and be completely happy with it.

What sort of considerations did you have in mind in making the decision?
Both of us agreed that it would be a fantastic opportunity to go overseas before we had any really big responsibilities such as children. To be able to take off for a weekend to Paris, or to jet off to Spain would just be amazing……………..

He had a conversation with his best friend Nik Kosef- Nik said that one of his big career regrets is that he didn’t take the opportunity to go overseas and play - so Steven took that conversation onboard as well as talking to a lot of other friends who are over there playing now.

He had a lot of conversations with Scott (Donald) and Chad (Randall) and they were really positive - they were keen for Steve to know how much they were enjoying it over there.

Did you chat with their partners?
Oh yes - they are having a great time - Jacqui is going over to Spain for 4 days very soon. And Mel and Scotty have done some sightseeing. I get to see all of their photos - so it’s all very inspiring stuff!  That’s the great thing about being over there - the travel.  I haven’t seen a lot of Europe so the whole thing was pretty appealing.

How did he break the news to you?
I knew throughout the process what the offers were from each club, so I knew what was going on. Steven and I had numerous chats and discussions and talked through the pro’s and con’s of both options. When Steven told me that Manly had accepted his final request I knew that we were staying. I was just as happy either way, so it was a great relief that he had made his final decision.

What was the pros for staying with the Manly Club?
For Steven it was that it would give him a great amount of joy to be a one man club. He said that it would be immensely gratifying to have only played for one team.

And for me, well we’ve have only just recently started living together - I moved home about a month ago after living in Canberra for 2 years. So I am really enjoying being close to my friends and family again - it would have been a bit tough to take off again after only just settling back here.

Was there any disappointment?
Yes, a tiny twinge, but I think I would have felt the exact same disappointment if he had decided to go! I was split exactly 50/50 on the decision. So there is a disappointment at the loss possible life experiences either way really - but no disappointment about the decision itself - we’re really happy.  He loves the club.

What was it that got him to the decision in the end?
Loyalty.  Loyalty to the Manly Club. He loves the club - always has. He grew up watching the football down at Brookie with his Pop. It’s something he has known and loved his whole life.

I heard that he couldn’t stand to be away from Wendy (Harmer) - the thought of not getting his phone calls after each match must have really made an impact on his decisions!

Well yes that was a deciding factor - I think he would have shown withdrawal symptoms!

Was he surprised about the support he got from the fans?
His whole career the fans have surprised him with the support they offer - he never takes it for granted.  It’s something that he is very grateful and appreciative of.

His 300th is on Sunday - is he excited - is he disappointed it’s not a Brookie.
Yes he is really looking forward to it, it will be a moment a lot if people will admire and it’s a moment he and his family will cherish forever. Naturally he would have just loved it if it was at Brookie, but unfortunately it just didn’t pan out that way.  The positive is that the reason it’s not at a home game is because he made the State of Origin team - so not something to be unhappy about! All of his family and my family are going out for it as well as a lot of his close friends to celebrate the occasion.

Was it true that he took out Gower not for the State of Origin so Orford could get in but so he would be injured for the Penrith game!!
(Laugh) That rumour was funny -  but it was such a freak accident that happened, Steven felt awful about it………

What about getting picked to play for Australia.
He was so thrilled - so was I - after the fantastic game he had against Parramatta I thought he’s got to get in the team - and he did.  It’s amazing because after 3 years out he’s back playing representative footy.

When they were in camp for Australia they give out caps with numbers on them - the number of person they were to have ever represented Australia. Steven’s was lower than everyone else’s  by about 400 - it just goes to show he’s been around longer. It really compounded the realisation of just how long his career has been. It was even lower than Andrew John’s number!

So how’s your new job going?
Good now - hard at first - living back in Sydney is difficult to get used to - I travel 2 hours extra a day!  The first week was tricky not knowing anyone but now it’s good.

I always thought moving house, childbirth and the first month in a new job are the most painful things in life!

So how is it going living together?  I know you’ve spent a lot of time together but you’ve always had the other place to go back to.
Great - we are loving it at the moment. It’s so nice to be able to spend so much more time together and not have to part at the end of the weekend. But we are both independent people so we think it’s important to keep our own thing going.

Poker nights still on?
Oh yes - there’s the table - it goes on every Thursday night with the boys, and will stay until the end of the season.  The boys are so funny - Steven sometime wears a hood and makes it really tight around his face so all you can see are his eyes.  Chris Hicks has this silly visor that have a button that you press and these sunglasses lower down over his eyes - ridiculous!! Lots of carrying on, yelling, shouting and cheering occurs here on Thursdays!

The boys are pretty good when they come around - they generally clean up after themselves.  I usually hang out in the bedroom or organise to go out with the girls for dinner or shopping.

Now it’s important I get the scoops for the Angels website - promise you call me first when he pops the question? 
Sorry can’t do that Fatty would kill us! With all the carrying on the Footy Show goes on with it they would have to expect to hear it first!

 

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