Daly Cherry-Evans’ captain’s knock enabled the Sea Eagles to overcome multiple star injuries and win 30-14 on Sunday at 4 Pines Park.
With forward Corey Waddell sitting out 45 minutes due to injury and teammates Rueben Garrick (head knock), Toafofoa Sipley (knee), and Taniela Paseka (thumb) being ruled out early in the game, Manly managed to win the championship thanks to a masterful performance by Cherry-Evans in the second half.
The Sea Eagles gained field position following an early penalty against Dragons prop Francis Molo for a risky tackle. Rookie fullback Lehi Hopoate took advantage of this by slicing through from 20 meters out to score his maiden NRL try and the first of the day.
Ten minutes in, Zac Lomax gave the Dragons a chance to respond on the right edge, but the bunker called a knock-on in the goal.
However, three minutes later, a Cherry-Evans short dropout backfired, allowing Jacob Liddle to score with a tap of the ball and Rueben Garrick tapping it back, giving the visitors another chance.
Ben Hunt saw Garrick down in the line in the fifteenth minute and found Luciano Leilua on the left, who sent the ball back inside for Kyle Flanagan to score, giving St George a bigger lead. Lomax led 10–4 with a kick.
After a wayward Zac Lomax flip ball handed the home team a full set from close range and Cherry-Evans sent Haumole Olakau’atu crashing over on the right, Manly responded late in the half. The Dragons led 10-8 at the half after Cherry-Evans was unable to add the additional points.
The Sea Eagles entered the second half severely shorthanded as Taniela Paseka (thumb) and Garrick (head knock) were declared out at halftime. However, in the 44th minute, Karl Lawton broke down the left side and found Luke Brooks in support to take the lead.
Four minutes later, Lomax broke the line again and made sure he got the ball down to equal the score at 14-14. This resumed the see-saw battle.
Leave a Reply