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After six years of tertiary education and numerous part-time positions within sport and recreation, Daniel secured an ideal full time role within local government in November 2010.
Away from work, Daniel has 18 years of cricket experience under his belt and has coached and served on committees at numerous clubs. He also plays baseball in winter and is again a member of the club committee.
Sport and recreation is an obvious interest for Daniel and his articles reflect that, especially his knowledge of cricket and football.
The owner, manager and editor in chief of Pen & Paper Sports, Daniel hopes to see the site grow from strength to strength in the future.
26 rounds, three weeks of finals later and we are at the end of the 2011 NRL journey.
The grand final just four days away. The Manly Sea Eagles up against the New Zealand Warriors. Strength up against skill. Des Hasler’s north shore boys, strong contenders and highly ranked favourites from the get go. Ivan Cleary’s soldiers surprising many, but nevertheless, have well deserved and earned their spot in Sunday afternoons game.
With Glenn Stewart returning from suspension, Manly are at their full strength. They’ve won their two semis, had a week off in between and are playing in their home city. You can’t ask for much more. There is simply no excuse for a result other than a victory. What stands in their way? The New Zealand boys who are heading for a fairytale finish.
The Warriors have had a mixed season to say the least. They’ve had 14 wins and 10 losses and finished 6th on the ladder. They lost their first semi and by this stage, most people had ridden them off against the Wests Tigers at the SFS. However, that performance and their exceptional performance against the minor premiers, the Melbourne Storm, in Melbourne has given many people the expectation of an upset come Sunday.
It will no doubt be a strongly fought battle. Manly will come out hard, using the aggressive and forceful nature of their players to shake the Warriors up. If they start with dominance, continue it throughout the game and if Foran and Cherry-Evans have a decent kicking game, they should walk away premiers.
The Warriors, have nothing to lose (other than the premiership!). What I mean is, no one expected them to make the grand final. They weren’t meant to beat Melbourne last week. They are the under dogs who have what it takes to go all the way. Sean Johnson just turned 21. Benji Marshall was 20 when he led the Wests Tigers to their first premiership in 2005. Will history repeat itself as another young and exciting Kiwi leads their club to a victory?
The Warriors will have the support of a whole country behind them with this game giving the All Blacks a run for their money. New Zealand have a team in each grand final grade this Sunday, can they come home with a hat-trick?
It’s the game NSW, all NRL fans, and in this case, New Zealand will stop for. Will Manly terrorise or will the Warriors’ unpredictability and skill be enough to make Des Hasler rip another door off it’s hinges? Only time will tell.
Anji
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