Manly's first ever captain, Max Whitehead, passed away on Friday 26 March, aged 87 at Mona Vale Hospital. He captained the Sea Eagles in their first ever match in the top grade, at Brookvale Oval on Saturday 12 April 1947. Wests won this match 15-13 despite the home team scoring three tries to one.
Born in 1923, Max played 20 top grade games with Manly in his two seasons, 1947 and 48, plus 13 matches with North Sydney in 1942, 43 and 46. He represented City in 1947, while in 1943 he was a member of the Bears' Grand Final side that went down to Newtown at the Sydney Cricket Ground on 4 September before a then record crowd of 60,922.
A real character both during and after his football career, Max was known throughout Australia for being the first Chesty Bond. He was a former RAAF pilot, professional lifeguard, professional wrestler and chicken sexer.
Max first played Rugby League as a Narrabeen Sharks junior and as a member of the South Narrabeen Surf Life Saving Club, he was a good Rescue and Resuscitation competitor and an excellent belt swimmer. Max attended the Manly 2010 season launch as a special guest of the club.