Manly Sea Eagles Sidestep 'Number of the Beast' in NRL Debut
In a curious twist of sporting superstition, the Manly Sea Eagles have deliberately avoided assigning the infamous number 666 to their latest debutant, Paul Bryan. Bryan made his first appearance for the club last weekend, officially listed as player number 667 in the NRL team's storied history, which dates back to its founding in 1947.
However, it has emerged that Bryan was technically the 666th player to represent the Sea Eagles, with the club opting to skip the number due to its association with the Antichrist from the Book of Revelation. This decision highlights a rare spiritual consideration in the rough-and-tumble world of rugby league.
A Superstitious Move Amid Team Struggles
Manly's choice to dodge the so-called 'number of the beast' comes at a challenging time for the club. The Sea Eagles have endured a winless start to the 2026 NRL season, casting a shadow over coach Anthony Seibold's future. Some fans might jest that, given their current form, the team could use all the divine intervention it can get.
Other NRL clubs have shown less concern over the numerical taboo. For instance, utility player Shane Muspratt was listed as player 666 at Parramatta in 2004, and forward Nate Myles held the same number for Canterbury the following season. Myles, far from being cursed, enjoyed a prolific career with 234 first-grade games, Queensland Origin appearances, and nine Tests for Australia.
Broader Context: Numerology and Sports Superstitions
According to Cosmopolitan, in the realms of astrology and numerology, the number 666 is not inherently negative. It is often viewed as an 'angel number' and is unrelated to evil or doom. In Chinese culture, 666 is highly regarded, symbolising that 'everything goes smoothly,' making it a popular choice for business and personal success.
Superstitions extend beyond rugby league into other sports. In cricket, many Australian fans are familiar with the 'devil's number' 87, believed to be unlucky for batters as it is 13 runs short of a century. This myth was popularised by legendary all-rounder Keith Miller, who as a child thought he saw Sir Don Bradman dismissed for 87 in a 1929 Sheffield Shield match. Miller later discovered Bradman was actually out for 89, but the taboo persists in cricket to this day.
The Manly Sea Eagles' decision underscores how deeply ingrained superstitions can be in sports, blending tradition, culture, and a touch of mysticism into the competitive arena.
