Olympic volleyball ambitions for talented Fejes siblings

"I was in quarantine in Queensland during the Olympics after coming back from Thailand and I have to admit I wasn't doing much schoolwork," she admitted. "I was glued to the TV when the volleyball was on. It was so exciting watching Mariafe (Artacho del Solar) do so well and win the silver.

"That was the coolest thing ever. To see someone from here who you know and have played against doing so well in Japan was amazing and definitely inspiring for me."

Stefie, a 16-year-old Mackellar High student, is set to miss more schoolwork over the next few weeks as she heads back to Thailand for the Senior Asian Beach Volleyball Championships and under-19 and 21 World Beach Volleyball Championships.

The tournaments will be another important step in pursuing her own Olympic dream. Or, to be more precise, a shared Olympic dream with younger brother Adam.

Ever since the Fejes siblings embarked on the Northern Beaches Volleyball Association (NBVA) junior program under head coaches Max Gubbiotti and Monica Jones-McFee five years ago, Stefie and Adam have set their sights on becoming the first sister/brother combination to represent Australia in beach volleyball at an Olympics. Their list of victories in state and national competitions - in both beach and indoor volleyball - would take two pages to outline.

"The Olympics are definitely the goal. We just love the sport so much and are willing to put in the work to make it happen," Stefie told Inside Back. Adam added: "It was so good to see Australia go well at the last Olympics and we'd love to get the chance to do it for ourselves."

Brisbane 2032 looms as the pair's best chance to compete together, although Stefie's opportunity could come sooner.

"Stefie is super athletic. She is one of the best in the country and has been on the radar at state and national level for a while," NBVA coaching and development officer Roger Jones said. "Adam is still developing physically but will be at his peak when 2032 rolls around. They really love it and work extremely hard under some wonderful coaches.

"It would be amazing if they both make it to the Olympics. You never say never."

Manly's decision to stand by suspended hooker Manase Fainu as he awaits his day in court played a major part in the club nabbing young superstar brother Latu to potentially the richest deal for a teenager in rugby league history.

Latu, 16, a five-eighth with an outrageous skill set, could earn over a million dollars in the next four years if he hits certain KPIs in his contract. Several NRL clubs were chasing his signature but the rookie No.6 and his family only had eyes for the Sea Eagles.

The club has stuck solid with Manase after he was charged with stabbing a man at a church dance in 2019. He has not played since under the NRL's stand down policy but Manly is willing to wait it out until his court case is heard in late July.

The Fainu family, which includes two other Sea Eagles in young forwards Samuela and Sione, is deeply appreciative of the support and feels a debt of gratitude.

Mother Lile revealed the family was that poor at one stage it struggled to afford a loaf of bread, but Latu is now talking about buying his parents a house with his financial bonanza.

The Marlins have infiltrated Rats territory as new Manly rugby coach Phil Blake continues to up the ante ahead of a planned revival next season.

Manly's grade, colts and women's squads have been in pre-season training since mid-October, using locations from Palm Beach to North Head for fitness, conditioning and team bonding exercises.

Blake liked to mix things up during his rugby league playing days and is no different as a coach.

"We wanted to get away from our base at Keirle Park because we spend so much time there as it is," he told Inside Back. "We are lucky to live where we do. There are so many places we can use, from the sandhills at Palm Beach, the stretch along Curl Curl and down to the harbour and beach at Manly."

The red and blue army turned the heads of early morning walkers on a recent Saturday session, leaning on Manly Kayak Centre (MKC) to supply craft for a paddle to the Q Station for a mini ironperson event.

"They (MKC) couldn't have been more helpful. The session was a great success for the players and it also attracted a lot of attention from locals," Blake said. He is making no apologies for riding the players hard five months out from the start of the 2022 season.

"Either you're on board or you're not onboard," he said. "There has been dramatic change in a short period of time and we want the players to believe in the program. There has been good buy-in so far. There's a positive vibe about the place."

Those in the know say there's more chance of it snowing in Palm Beach than Collaroy's Matt Johns returning to help revive Triple M's Grill Team breakfast show.

Rumours of Johns' return resurfaced this week after the station confirmed Lawrence Mooney had been cut loose amid rumours of discontent with the on-air talent.

Johns, who was part of the Grill Team from 2009-18, is said to be enjoying life without the 3.30am starts and has no intention of re-joining a sinking ship.

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