AFTER Parramatta's first trial match in February, Tim Mannah reached into his blue and gold kit bag to pull out his mobile phone.
Sweat still dripping from his brow, Mannah hurried to find little brother Johnny's number.
It was a post-match ritual the two brothers shared after each match they played.
On most occasions, Tim just wanted an excuse to sledge his younger brother with a funny nickname. As brothers do.
But this time, Tim wanted to find out what Johnny was up to.
He also had to tell Johnny how he'd played under new coach Ricky Stuart for the first time.
And how the new-look Eels had played.
Then big Tim stopped writing that text message.
"It was probably there, for the first time, I realised he wasn't around to answer," Mannah told News Limited.
For the entire Mannah family, every day since Johnny's passing from Hodgkin's lymphoma at the age of 22 in January has been slightly better than the day before.
This Saturday will be a day the Mannah family will remember forever, when Parramatta and Cronulla will play for the inaugural Johnny Mannah Cup at Parramatta Stadium.
Finally rugby league, and the Eels, have something to celebrate.
And it's all thanks to a man who played just 24 NRL matches for the Sharks between 2009-2011 and would've been running out for the Eels this season had cancer not cut his young life way too short.
"To think that my little brother, my little brother who never really played a whole lot of NRL, could leave an impact as big as he has and to be afforded this type of honour, it's something so special for the family," Tim said.
The Mannah Cup will ensure Johnny's inspiration and passion for the game live on forever.
TIM MANNAH PAUL GALLEN
Tim Mannah carries the Johnny Mannah Cup as he talks to Paul Gallen. Picture: Phil Hillyard Source: The Daily Telegraph
And right now, the Eels could use some of Johnny's toughness. Like the day he turned up to training just hours after having chemotherapy.
Or how he would never show an ounce of weakness despite his dwindling physique.
The cup says much about the man who NSW Origin and Cronulla captain Paul Gallen fondly refers to as a "gentleman of the game".
"Johnny was as tough as they come," Gallen said.
"He was sick, sore and instead of feeling sorry for himself he'd turn up to training at Cronulla with a smile from ear to ear.
"Quite often I'll think about Johnny, and think why he kept turning up to training even though he was battling cancer.
"It was because he loved the game.
"He loved being around his teammates and just enjoying the opportunity that life had presented him. That's inspiration right there."
JOHNNY MANNAH
Picture: Brett Costello Source: The Daily Telegraph
A devout Christian, Tim says his faith has allowed him to celebrate Johnny's amazing life and accept that his younger brother is now at peace.
"But the longer time goes on, there are definitely times that I miss him," Tim says.
"Having his name tossed up a bit makes you realise how much you miss him.
"There are things that we shared, like jokes, that nobody else would laugh at except us two.
"So when those times come up, you do miss him.
"But as a whole, the last few months have actually been really good.
"I've had really great support from not only our club, but the entire rugby league community. We've had people at our church show great support.
"We draw a lot of strength from our faith. Even down to the way we got to say goodbye. We actually don't call it goodbye, we call it 'see you later'.
"It's been a pretty special couple of months and I'm just so grateful that with the Johnny Mannah Cup, his legacy can live on."
Replies
Come on, lads, in the memory of Jonny, win this match for him, eh? Don't worry about us fans, do it for Jonny's spirit!
x2
x3.
Mrs SBBBB I'm really looking forward to catching up tomorrrow!! We're gonna be at the Royal Oak before the game in case you're a bit early.
Bloody netball :-(
Pity it's not televised but they'll have a one minute silence and to be honest I hope the crowd shuts up for 1 minute...no sound, no chatting, no 'come on!' just sielnce...like they did when Bradman died...that was spooky and also at the Indigenous and All Stars game, when they showed that footage of Jonny, the crowd was quiet. That what I would like the crowd to do, pay respect for Jonny by REALLY honouring him by being quiet for 1 minute
I actually suggested a 1 minute applause. He was a positive man and an applause would honour his personality.
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