ROCKY the Rooster took a tour of Manly this morning and judging by the general reaction, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was in Bondi Junction.

Children swarmed to the Sydney Roosters’ mascot as he walked along the Manly Corso and paraded up and down North Steyne in a brazen bid to assert the Roosters dominance over their opponents in last year’s grand final.

media_camera Rocky the Roosters mascot arrives in Manly to pump up rivalry between the two beaches. Picture: Braden Fastier

media_camera The Roosters mascot wasn’t winning over any fans among the LAC.

He high-fived locals as though he was wearing maroon and white, got hugs from fully grown adults and posed for pictures with many more.

It took nearly an hour for anyone to object, even though the rivalry should eb at its pinnacle, with the Roosters set to take on the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval on Friday.

media_camera Manly locals saw the funny side of this brazen attept to stir the pot by their rivals.

As Rocky walked past passionate Manly Fish Market owner Andrew Hill on Wentworth St the rivalry finally flared up.

A fired up Mr Hill told the Wentworth Courier Rocky was “very brave”.

“I am surprised he didn’t get attacked by all the seagulls on the beach. It’s absolutely ridiculous,” Mr Hill said.

“He should stick to the eastern suburbs with BMWs and the Audis, we are a hard working mob over here and we don’t take kindly to these chooks coming over to our area.”

media_camera Rocky and Andrew Hill bring back the biff at the Manly Fish Market. Picture: Braden Fastier

Roosters mascot comes to The Corso, Manly Roosters mascot and Sea Eagles fan Andrew Hill tease each other about what team will win on Friday

He defended the lack of passion on Manly’s streets by saying it was too early for them at 10.30am.

“The Manly people are probably having a swim, having a surf. That’s what we do, it’s a pretty relaxed area, but when it comes to rugby league, the boots will be on and we will tear them apart, there’s going to be Rooster feathers all over Brookie oval.”

media_camera Rocky tries to stir up the locals in a cafe on East Esplanade. Picture: Braden Fastier

media_camera Healthy competiton? Rocky took every opportunity to stir up manly fans. Picture: Braden Fastier

And while Rocky well and truly claimed Bondi dominance by ruling the roost in Manly, Mr Hill didn’t see it that way.

He said he would let the footy do the talking to see who has the superior coastline.

“We destroyed them in the first round and we’ll do it again this round. They’ve got Sonny Bill, big deal,” he said.

media_camera A couple of young fans didn’t seem to mind Rocky’s sneaky visit. Picture: Braden Fastier

“It has grown in to quite a healthy hatred, but that’s what we love, we enjoy being hated in the comp and as far as Easts go, we’ve got a bit of a score to settle there.

“I’d prefer not to tell everybody that the whole Manly Beach area is vastly superior to anything on the eastern suburbs … I mean it is almost a third world coastline compared to the northern beaches, but don’t tell them that because we don’t want them coming here.”

media_camera Manly police Sergeant Damon Flahelar and Constable Jason van den Berg order Rooster to move on. PIcture: Braden Fastier

While Rocky was mostly gushed upon by adoring fans north of the harbour, he did manage to reduce one frightened child to tears, even if by accident.

Sergeant Damon Flakeler from Manly Police was on patrol when the rowdy Rooster appeared.

“It is a little unusual given that this is staunch maroon and white territory, to see the Rooster over here is a bit cheeky really,” he said.

“I do feel like chicken tonight he would go very nice on two bits of bread and a nice smothering of mayonnaise and bacon I’m sure.”