Steve Menzies (born 4 December 1973), commonly referred to by his nickname "Beaver", is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer best known for his career with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. He also played for the Bradford Bulls and the Catalans Dragons in the Super League. Menzies has spent the majority of his playing career in the back row, but he also played as a and as a utility player off the bench.
He joined the Bradford Bulls in the Super League from the 2009 season.
Menzies was a noted defender, but is best known as the most prolific try scoring forward in rugby league. His total of 180 tries is the fourth highest in Australian first grade rugby league history. In total, Menzies has played 520 first grade, state of origin and test games, scoring 251 tries.
He is well known for wearing headgear during games, having done so throughout his entire career, as well as his loyalty to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
Early life
Menzies was born in Manly, New South Wales, Australia.
Menzies is the grandson of Manly-Warringah pioneer Mackie Campbell who had played in the centres in Manly's first ever game in 1947 against Western Suburbs at Manly's long time home ground Brookvale Oval. While attending Narrabeen High School, Menzies played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1992. His junior club was Harbord United. As a teenager he turned down an offer of $5,000 from Manly's local rivals the North Sydney Bears to later sign with Manly for $9,000 in 1993.
Playing career
1990s
Menzies made his first grade debut for Manly-Warringah against the Brisbane Broncos in Round 13 1993 at Brookvale Oval. Menzies was a member of the Manly sides which won three consecutive minor premierships between 1995 and 1997 and also played in three consecutive grand finals between those years.
Menzies won his first premiership with Manly in 1996 as they defeated St George 20-8 in the decider which was played at the Sydney Football Stadium. Menzies scored a try in the match.
Menzies played for Manly-Warringah until the end of 1999 and featured in what was then Manly's last game as a stand-alone entity when they played against St George in Round 26 1999. At the end of 1999, Manly-Warringah controversially merged with arch rivals North Sydney as part of the competitions rationalisation strategy and became the Northern Eagles. Menzies finished as Manly's top try scorer in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999.
2000s
Menzies continued into the early 2000s playing for the Northern Eagles and finished as the club's top try scorer in 2002. Menzies played in the Northern Eagles final ever game which was against Penrith in Round 26 2002 which the Northern Eagles lost 68-28 at Brookvale Oval. Menzies scored a try in the defeat. Following the conclusion of the 2002 NRL season, the Northern Eagles were dissolved and the licence was given back to Manly-Warringah.
In 2004 Steve Menzies surpassed rugby league and Glebe stalwart Frank Burge's record of 'Most Tries Scored by a Forward' when he scored his 147th try against St George Illawarra. Since then Menzies has gone on to amass a tally of 180 tries in 349 games, both club records at the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
When Manly reached the Grand Final in 2007 Menzies was the sole surviving member of the club's last Grand Final appearance back in 1997. He started in his fourth Grand Final against the Melbourne Storm but the Manly side was unsuccessful in securing the premiership trophy.
After speculation on his retirement from rugby league, Menzies announced in October 2007 that he had re-signed with the Manly Sea Eagles for 2008 on a one-year contract, stating that he would likely retire at the conclusion of the 2008 season.