13 December, 2015. 11:43

ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

WHILE SCIENCE AND SOCIETY say no, a northern Sydney couple has proven that love conquers all by eloping illegally in a ceremony at Shelly Beach this morning.

It all looked normal, almost cliche. Beach weddings are as common as bad tattoos. Barefoot bride, the groom in boardies. Nothing looked out of place, it was just ‘another wedding’ to passers by.

Except it was the union between two blood cousins, who share a love for each other – and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.

Thom and Willa Millerham are first cousins. Their family has effectively disowned them.

However, their favourite footy club has taken them under their wing.

Manly immortal Paul Vautin has lashed out at the media and the couple’s family for their archaic, Eastern Suburbs-style opinion of what a family is.

“Love is blind,” said Vautin. “We don’t care what you look like, what God you follow or which family member you root. If you love Manly, then we love you.”

The news comes after the South Sydney Rabbitohs made it mandatory for all season ticket holders to have at least three adult teeth missing. Controversially, that rule was ratified in response to the St George-Illawarra Dragons passing a motion that each club member must “smack their spouse about” each time the team loses to the Cronulla Sharks.