Manly coach Des Hasler and skipper Matt Orford have paid tribute to retiring club legend Steve Menzies following Sunday's crushing grand final victory over Melbourne.
With plenty of sentiment leading up to the game centred on the club trying to farewell the record-equalling 34-year-old in appropriate style, the man known as 'Beaver' was afforded huge applause from the largely pro-Sea Eagles crowd at ANZ Stadium.
And when he crossed in the final minutes of the game for his 180th and final NRL try in his 349th game in his 16th season in the competition, the Manly fans nearly lifted the roof off the stands.
"Yeah unbelievable, the number of games I think it's going to be a great legacy," Hasler said of Menzies' contribution. "It's going to be a long time before someone comes near it (the games record)."
"You can't really put it into words how special Beaver has been to this club," Orford added. "It's just been an honour for most of the guys, or all of the guys that have been privileged to play with him."
"Beaver has been a special player and a person for Manly and just to actually play alongside, and I've got great memories that I'll treasure and I can say one day when I have kids that I played with the great Beaver Menzies."
Hasler was also pleased for winger Michael Robertson, who crossed for three tries in the left corner and according to Orford was a little unlucky not to walk away with the Clive Churchill Medal that Brent Kite was awarded.
"There's a great story, Michael Robertson," Hasler said. "(It's) just a great experience for him, a great memory for him, grand finals are full of great memories and no doubt that will be one that Michael will cherish for years to come."
As for the difference between winning a premiership as a player and as a coach, having twice tasted the ultimate glory on the final day of the season, Hasler was simply delighted his players have now experienced what he once did.
"I think it sort of sticks in the memory, that's for sure," he said. "The reason why you play the game is to experience a grand final win but they've worked hard, that's what I admire about this group."
"And they've worked hard together, they are a very close-knit group. There's some great stories in there, some tremendous stories, of just what hard work and application and really strong bonds do."
"It's probably a little bit different because as a player you know what the feeling's like.
You just so much want for these guys, when they go close like we were last year, and then to get back ... you just want them to experience it. I'm pleased that they did."
And Hasler also believes that his club can taste more success in the years ahead, with the departures of the likes of Menzies, Steve Bell, Mark Bryant and Luke Williamson to be offset by the arrivals of five-eighth Chris Bailey and forward Tony Williams.
"I think there's still a nucleus of the side that's there," he said when asked what his team is capable of in future. "We lose a bit of experience but we believe that we've recruited pretty well for the off-season."