NRL Grand Final: Stadium in Warriors camp

Kevin Locke at a Warriors training session. Photo / Getty Images

For the Warriors, today's NRL grand final will feel almost like a home match, such will be the cacophony of support - and the dislike of Manly.

Not only can they count on the support of thousands of travelling and expatriate Kiwis but most neutrals in the stadium will also back the Auckland-based side. Quite simply, it is anyone but Manly.

Former All Black Craig Innes turned out for the Sea Eagles in the 1996 and 1997 grand finals and the hostile reception remains vivid to this day.

"When we ran out against St George in 1996, the place exploded into booing," recalls Innes. "It was fierce. But I also remember it being quite a good feeling; it seemed to fire everyone up."

Manly has been the club everyone loves to hate since the late 1970s, when they poached a series of stars from the poorer clubs, notably the Western Suburbs Magpies. They were called the 'Silvertails', referring to their economic advantages among the posh suburbs of the northern beaches.

There has also long been the perception that Manly received preferential treatment in the corridors of power. Long-time ARL chairman Ken Arthurson sat on Manly's board for decades, while former player and coach Bob Fulton wielded great power in the sport.

Innes admits he was surprised by the level of anti-Manly sentiment when he arrived.

"It wasn't so much a perception - it was all around you," says Innes.

"You would drive over the bridge and it instantly felt like you were in hostile territory."

But like many have commented, the club manage to turn it into a force for good.

"In a way the club love it," says Innes. "They seem to thrive on it and it galvanises the place."

Warriors' coach Ivan Cleary spent two years as a player at Brookvale and agrees with Innes.

"It's actually good to be part of when you are inside that bubble," says Cleary.

"It works as a siege mentality and you feed off it. They have always been a club who are absolute winners but they push the boundaries in everything from officialdom to the way they play the game."

Innes played in a legendary Manly side that reached three consecutive grand finals between 1995 and 1997. Coached by Fulton, the team featured Steve Menzies, Terry Hill, Geoff Toovey, David Gillespie as well as Cliff Lyons and Des Hasler in their twilight years. They lost in 1995 and 1997 but made no mistake against the Dragons in 1996.

"The week leading into the game is incredible," says Innes. "There is so much hype and expectation but you just want to get out there and play. There is so much nervous energy and that can be the hardest thing for the young players."

Surprisingly, the dominant feeling after the 1996 victory was relief not jubilation.

"We all sat around in the changing room absolutely exhausted," remembers Innes.

"There was no jumping around or champagne - just a feeling of quiet satisfaction. Though we did plenty of celebrating afterwards."

While the Sea Eagles are heavy favoured in the eyes of most, there is one good omen for Warrior's fans - Manly do have form when it comes to losing grand Finals as favourites. In 1982, they beat Parramatta 20-0 in the major semifinal but lost when it mattered to the same opponents two weeks later.

A year on, they again beat the Eels in the major semifinal but lost to Peter Sterling's men on grand final day.

Perhaps the most pertinent example came in 1995; the Sea Eagles were minor premiers, having lost two games all year but were tipped up by the Bulldogs 18-4, who had finished in sixth place, just like the Warriors. Again in 1997 Manly were minor premiers and heavily favoured to beat the Knights but lost in the last seven seconds.

A loyal club man, Innes admits he will be supporting Manly in this evening's match. Now a player agent with Esportif International, his stable includes Jerome Ropati and Glen Fisiiahi as well as a clutch of names in the Toyota Cup side.

With Manly favourites to win their second grand final in as many years, Innes' phone should be running hot over the next few weeks as he seeks out destinations for the graduating class of 2011.