This Saturday's game between the Marlins and Rats will be Captain Reuben Bijl's last in the Manly colours.

The former club-captain and Dutch International is one of the  best men to represent the club and I, amongst others, will miss his energy, comradeship and ability on the field.

Luckily for me, I get to share in the moment with Reubs as it'll be my final fling in the Blues jersey as well.

Work commitments and  a lingering back injury have meant that this weekend's Derby will be my last, while for Reuben, the demands of a young family that  includes his beautiful wife Rachel and little toddler Freddie, coupled wih long hours at the office has meant there's simply not enough hours in the day to fit in kicking a football.

My time with 'The Dutch Dynabolt' at Manly has been memorable to say the least. Mateship is one of the greatest gifts rugby can provide and I'm proud to say he'll remain a life long friend of mine and  many others at Manly.

I've often said you can judge the worth of a man by whether or not you can enjoy a beer with them, well, in Reubens case you'd go on a three day bender  and enjoy every second.

 It's a sad fact of life for rugby players around the world that at some stage, your boots will be hung up - but not all get to do it following a home game against their clubs nemesis.

Saturday is set to be huge at the Village Green. There'll be a big crowd of Warringah supporters cheering a side that's righhtfully in the finals of the Shute Shield while for the Marlins, it's simply pride and the desire to repay their faithful that will drive them on.

The first round match between these two teams remains the best club rugby match of 2008 and there's no reason to expect this weeks clash will be any different.

It'll be an emotional afternoon for a number of us - and if there's one game you simply can't afford to miss all year, it's this one.

Thank you to you all for supporting the Club in 2008, see you at the Oval Saturday

 Seanny

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