STEVEN MENZIES:
The Eager Beaver

An outstanding free running backrower, prolific try scorer and classical defender, Steven "Beaver" Menzies took over the captaincy of the troubled Manly run Northern Eagles at the beginning of the 2002 season. His leadership in a year which most experts expected the team to win the "wooden Spoon" was inspirational. In close important matches it always seems to be Beaver who would save the game with a desperate covering tackle or a crucial try. Beaver won the 2002 Dally M Lock of the year award and was a nomination for captain of the year.

A proud Manly junior whose grandfather Mackie Campbell played in Manly's initial first grade team in 1947, Menzies has refused lucrative offers to play for other clubs. His integrity and loyalty as much as his speed and agility in attack and his bone crushing defence have made him Manly's current favourite son.

Beaver made his first grade debut off the bench in 1993. His try scoring ability became immediately evident in his first full season in top grade in 1994. Running off the maestro Cliff Lyons he scored 16 tries, the most by a forward in a single season for the club. He played his 200th first grade game for the club in round 4, 2002 against the Roosters and later that season broke the club try scoring record of 127 previously held by Bob Fulton. At the end of the 2003 season he had scored 140 tries 6 short of Frank Burge's long standing record of 146 tries scored by a forward.

Beaver has played in 15 State of Origin matches for NSW and 12 Tests for Australia.