Time heals all wounds, except if you're a member of Manly's 1997 grand final losing side.

Manly veteran Steve Menzies, the sole remaining Sea Eagle from the 22-16 last-minute loss to Newcastle, still has not watched a replay of that infamous ARL grand final.

With Manly and Newcastle set to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of that memorable grand final when they play for the Malcolm Reilly Challenge next Friday in Gosford, Menzies has revealed he has never and will never view that match tape.

"I have never watched it and if I never do watch it, it won't bother me," said Menzies, adding Darren Albert's last-minute try was the only replay he had seen thanks to repeated television advertisements.

"That's probably the only part of the game I actually remember.

"I think we were one of the best sides all year but that's why it is such a great game because it comes down to one game.

"They were the better side on the day.

"I know Adam Muir and a couple of blokes from their side pretty well and we have a laugh about it after a few beers, but they probably laugh a bit harder than I do."

Reilly was Newcastle's premiership coach and also a dual title winner playing lock for Manly.

Menzies and Newcastle centre Adam MacDougall are the only active players from that classic match, while Knights leaders Danny Buderus and Steve Simpson were both at the club but not in the grand final side.

Menzies, in his 15th season and planning another year in 2008, said he is enjoying his football more than ever now.

"The body is still quite good and the enjoyment factor is probably a bit more now because I think how lucky I am to do what I do for a job," he said.

"Knowing there is not long to go you tend to relish and enjoy it a bit more than when you're younger."

Manly and Newcastle are enjoying vastly different form leading into the game, with the Sea Eagles flying high towards an almost guaranteed top two finish and the Knights needing to win all five remaining games to have a chance of reaching the finals.

Injured Knights hooker Buderus is hopeful of overcoming his knee and Achilles complaints in time to play in the Friday night clash.

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