Monaghan dominates at Brookvale

Michael Monaghan had the best game of his four year first grade career to lead the Manly Sea Eagles to a 26-18 win over the Wests Tigers at Brookvale Oval this afternoon.

On a wet and miserable day on Sydney's northern beaches, Monaghan was everywhere scoring one try and having a hand in four others as the Sea Eagles proved what they can do when they set their minds to it.

However, not everything went the Sea Eagles way as after having the ball deep inside the Tigers half for repeat sets of six and coming up empty handed, Tigers full back Brett Hodgson scored to give the Tigers an early 6-0 lead after 10 minutes.

But despite that early blemish the Sea Eagles kept on playing good sensible wet weather football and went into the sheds at halftime with a 10-6 lead.

The second half was a carbon copy of the first half with the Sea Eagles playing good solid football and the Tigers handing over possession at will. It was only in the last 10 minutes that the Tigers were able to get some quality football and hang onto it.

Today proved that the Sea Eagles are no easybeats especially while playing at Brookvale Oval.

For the Tigers to have any hope of making the eight this year they will need to learn how to hold onto the football and improve their discipline.

SEA EAGLES 26 Tries: Torrens 2, Monaghan, Watmough, Donald Goals: Walker 3/5 defeated WESTS TIGERS 18 Tries: Hodgson, Senter, Galea Goals: Hodgson 3/3

Brookvale Oval Referee: Stephen Clark Video Referee: Graeme West Touch Judges: Paul Holland, Peter Sciberras

By the clock: 0 min: Kick Off

8 min: News: After having the ball for 4 or 5 consecutive sets of 6 deep inside Tigers territory the Sea Eagles come up empty handed as lock Steve Menzies puts too much weight on a grubber as it goes dead in goal.

10 min: Try-Tigers: Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson scores under the posts after being put into a gap from a great inside ball by 5/8th Michael Buettner. Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Tigers 6-0.

18 min: News: Sea Eagles 5/8th Andrew Walker is down on the ground receiving attention from the Sea Eagles trainer after he is collared by Tigers half back Scott Prince.

20 min: News: Andrew Walker is down on the ground again receiving attention from the Sea Eagles trainer.

24 min: News: Tigers centre Shane Elford saves the day for the Tigers after he plays at a pass from Sea Eagles centre Chris hicks with his foot then unbeliveably referee Steve Clark rules that Elford knocked the ball forward with his hand.

29 min: Try-Sea Eagles: Centre Albert Torrens crashes over in the corner after Michael Monaghan works the blindside off the scrum. Andrew Walker is successful with the conversion. 6 all.

34 min: News: Manly winger Nick Bradley is down receiving attention from the Sea Eagles trainer after he hurts his knee in a tackle but he gets up to play the ball.

36 min: News: Tigers fullback Brett Hodgson is sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

36 min: Try-Sea Eagles: Captain Michael Monaghan weaves his way through the Tigers defence to score in the corner. Andrew Walker is unsuccessful with the conversion. Sea Eagles 10-6.

Halftime Report: In a sloppy and uneventful match the Sea Eagles are playing good solid wet weather football by playing the game down the Tigers end of the field. If the Tigers are to have any hope of winning today they will have to improve their discipline and hold onto the ball.

41 min: News: Sea Eagles interchange forward Ian Donnelly is placed on report for a head high tackle on Tigers second rower Mark O'Neil.

43 min: News: Sea Eagles fullback Brett Stewart is down receiving attention for a shoulder injury but he makes a return to the defensive line.

44 min: Try-Sea Eagles: Albert Torrens scores his second try of the afternoon after running onto a perfectly placed croosfield kick from halfback Michael Monaghan. Andrew Walker is unsuccessul with the conversion attempt from wide out. Sea Eagles 14-6.

52 min: News: Sea Eagles interchange player Nathan Hollingsworth is taken from the field with a knee injury.

56 min: Try-Sea Eagles: Anthony Watmough runs 30 metres to score after being placed in a gap by a perfectly placed short ball from captain Michael Monaghan. Andrew Walker is successful with the conversion. Sea Eagles 20-6.

66 min: Try-Sea Eagles: Winger Scott Donald sprints 35 metres to score under the posts after running onto a no look pass from man of the match Michael Monaghan. Andrew Walker is successful with the conversion. Sea Eagles 26-6.

70 min: Try-Tigers: Captain Darren Senter gets through some poor defence from Ian Donnelly to score under the posts. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Sea Eagles 26-12.

75 min: News: Tigers captain Darren Senter is denied a try after the video referee rules that he lost the ball over the line.

80 min: Try-Tigers: Second rower Ben Galea scores next to the posts after running onto a flick pass from prop Todd Payten. Brett Hodgson is successful with the conversion. Sea Eagles 26-18.

Fulltime Report: In a nutshell the second half was almost a carbon copy of the first half with the Sea Eagles playing good sensible wet weather football and the Tigers having no respect for the ball at all. ----------------------------------------- Leagueunlimited.com players of the match: 3 - M Monaghan (Sea Eagles) 2 - B Stewart (Sea Eagles) 1 - A Watmough (Sea Eagles) -----------------------------------------