June 1 - 30, 2026: Issue 655

 

Narrabeen JRLFC Hosts Harbord at Lake Park on Ladies Day 2026 

Narrabeen A Grade Wins - post-game and post-rain team pic in the sheds

L to R: Friendly, Jason, Mick, Zac.

Home games at Lake Park, the home ground of the Narrabeen JRLFC, are always a little like a big warm embrace from family with the added 'zing!' a game footy charges the crowd with.

On Sunday June 14, when the Narrabeen club hosted Harbord, it was a 'home week' big time as Frank McKee, the Coach who led the Sharkies to A Grade Grand Final win in 2018, is now coaching Harbord.

While the teams were warming up Ladies Day was happening in the clubhouse, with great food and a broad cross section of the generations of women who have made and make this club hum. There too the sense of family between the girls is the first thing you notice.

As Zac Freudenstein, Sharks President again this year, explains:

''To me it’s not just a football club, it’s a community. I grew up watching all the older generation and then was lucky to play with some of those A Grade players that I looked up to. It’s the old heads that you’ve got around the club that bring you up – we’re all like one big family and that, to me, is what Narrabeen Sharks is all about.''

''In 2026, the Narrabeen Sharks proudly celebrate our 94th season, continuing a legacy that makes us one of the oldest and largest rugby league clubs on the peninsula. For generations, families have come together at Lake Park and worn the black and white with pride. 

We welcome players from Under 6s through to Under 20s, along with Open Age A Grade and Over 35s Masters, where some of our members are still running around in their 60s. We are proud to have helped develop Junior Representative, First Grade and Australian Representative players, while still giving every child and adult a place to feel valued. 

What truly defines us is our culture. The Sharks are built on family, leadership and a genuine love for rugby league. We are more than a rugby league club. We are a community. We live our values of Honour, Respect, Loyalty, Integrity and Teamwork through how we support each other. 

Our players build confidence, learn skills and grow as people with the guidance of qualified coaches in a safe and positive environment. When you join the Sharks, you join more than a team. You become part of a community that celebrates effort, friendship and having fun while playing the greatest game of all.''

Zac Freudenstein, Sharks President

The Wider Community Family

This Narrabeen rugby league family was thrilled to see Jason Death pop down to the Narrabeen - Harbord game at Lake Park to see his son Cruz have a run. 

Cruz has been busy since being announced in January as a member of the Penrith Panthers SG Ball Cup Squad but relishes an opportunity for extra play.

His dad is taking a break from coaching the Under 10's for the Mona Vale JRLFC after a serious fall at home a few months ago and a subsequent series of medical procedures. After spending weeks in intensive care, Mr. Death has moved to a hospital ward 'just up the hill a bit' to continue his rehabilitation, but with his lovely wife Yvette aiding and abetting, escapes to catch up with his Mona Vale and Narrabeen crews when possible.

A loved and respected member of Pittwater, where he and his great team operates the Concept 42 gym in Mona Vale, the community looks forward to him making a full recovery.

Jason is a rugby league legend who played 201 NRL games for Canberra, North Queensland, the Warriors, and South Sydney.

A former NRL hooker, Mr. Death is married to the sister of Rebecca Cleary, which makes him the brother-in-law of former Warriors teammate Ivan Cleary and Josh Stuart. Ivan Cleary, who grew up in Beacon Hill, was a Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles junior before moving to play Reserve Grade with the Sea Eagles in 1992 and 1993. He started his first grade career with the Manly-Warringah club in 1992. Through these family connections, he is the uncle of superstar halfback and New South Wales representative Nathan Cleary. Jett Cleary, Nathan's brother (and Jason's other nephew), is also rising through the rugby league ranks.

Jason was greeted with pleasure by Narrabeen's A Grade coaches, Mick Raddisich and Zachary Marsh, whom he has also inspired and helped along the way, while another Pittwater legend, Brian Friend OAM, 'Friendly', was equally stoked to see him and have a chat.
everyone's stoked to see Jason; 


Vale: Pat Portlock

The referees for matches across the Rounds last weekend wore black armbands as a mark of respect and to honour Pat Portlock, who recently passed away. 

Pat Portlock was the 38th Life Member of the Manly Warringah Rugby League Referees Association.

Pat served as Associations Treasurer from 1979-1981 as well as the Secretary in 1984. He was awarded the Jim Campbell Trophy for the Associations Best Referee in 1980 and the Danny Stewart Trophy for the member who contributed the most to the association in 1984. In 1984, Pat was made a Life Member. 

The whole community's thoughts go out to Pat's wife Greta, their son Wayne, their family and friends at this time. 


Kick Off

And then the match started ....

Round 8 of the 2026 A Grade Season saw Narrabeen have a win at home, 30-0, with the camaraderie post-game between the two teams, confirmation they were both obviously celebrating the opportunity to 'play footy' in a local competition. 

Coach Mick Raddisich is stoked Harbord has fielded an A Grade team this Season and was 'happy with the win' on Sunday, but said they will be 'focussed on maintaining steady results' with Narrabeen sitting in the top 4 on the ladder. 

The Narrabeen A Grade Gold side plays Mona Vale at Newport Oval in Round 9 this afternoon - kick off at 3pm.

Narrabeen is fielding two A Grade teams this Season, with their A Grade (White) team playing in the Bronze Comp. and being coached by front-rower and Masters player Eamonn Donnelly. Another long-term Narrabeen member, Mr. Donnelly has coached at Narrabeen for years and breathes rugby league.

The Round 8 game at Lake Park started in sunny warm clear conditions and finished in rain as a storm from the south sent everyone except the hardy 'brains trust' for the shelter under the clubhouse eaves. 

Just another Sunday afternoon in Pittwater, at your local footy club, among the best there is - family and friends celebrating community.

PON Album for those who want snaps for their own albums available here - a few of a great day at the home of Narrabeen's JRLFC run below. The full remaining rounds for the A Grade Gold 2026 Season, and results so far, is available here - the Bronze cohort here all other teams results are available here, and Manly JRL results available here.

Ladies Day

Narrabeen JRLFC Brains Trust - supervising BBQ

Referees - supervising the game