Roosters comeback stuns Sea Eagles

A stunning comeback from the Sydney Roosters today has the Manly Sea Eagles in danger of missing the top eight, with the home side at the SFS overcoming a 14-0 deficit to defeat Manly 30-14 in front of almost 19,000 fans.

Manly started with the upper hand against a largely disinterested Roosters outfit, tries to first Michael Robertson and then Steve Matai putting them in front 12-0. A penalty goal to Jamie Lyon steered them 14 points clear before a try to Shaun Kenny-Dowall within seconds of the halftime siren cut the gap to just eight points.

The Roosters wasted no time continuing their fightback when the second half resumed, Kenny-Dowall breaking away to score early in controversial circumstances, an eight-point try awarded to his side, while disgusted Manly players made a case for a penalty of their own earlier in the play. Scores level at 14-all, it was all the Roosters as they took the lead 20-14 following a simply Todd Carney try.

Stunned, Manly tried many and varied ways to get back into the game, but the Roosters momentum was simply too much. The hosts piled on two more tries, including a spectacular 95 metre effort in which Sam Perrett benefited from some smart passing by both Mitchell Pearce and Kenny-Dowall to run away with the four-pointer. Kenny-Dowall's hat-trick just moments later secured victory for the Tricolours who will now be pressing for an unlikely-but-possible top four finish.

A few ugly incidents came from the match, with both Daniel Conn and Glenn Stewart facing nervous waits after a couple of ugly tackles either side of the halftime break. Those games next week have the Roosters lucky enough to face the Cowboys in Townsville, while Manly host Canterbury at Brookvale in a must-win match. Should the Sea Eagles lose, they are at risk of missing the finals depending on other results.

Match Details
Sydney Roosters 30 defeated Manly Sea Eagles 14
National Rugby League - NRL - Round 25 - Sunday August 29, 2010 3:00pm
Venue: Sydney Football Stadium
Referee: Tony Archer and Matt Cecchin
Video Referee: Sean Hampstead
Touch Judges: Russell Turner and Steve Carrall
Crowd: 18,962
Halftime: Sydney Roosters 6 Manly Sea Eagles 14

Leagueunlimited.com players of the match:
3 Points - Shaun Kenny-Dowall (3 Tries)
2 Points - Todd Carney (1 Try, 4 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)
1 Point - Jamie Lyon (2 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal)

Sydney Roosters (30)
Tries: Todd Carney, Sam Perrett, Shaun Kenny-Dowall (3)
Conversions: Todd Carney (4/5)
Penalty Goals: Todd Carney (1/1)

Manly Sea Eagles (14)
Tries: Steve Matai, Michael Robertson
Conversions: Jamie Lyon (2/2)
Penalty Goals: Jamie Lyon (1/1)

LeagueUnlimited.com Live Commentary The Sydney Football Stadium is the venue, both these sides looking to strive for a top four finish, the loser almost consigned to the lower half of the eight. The Sydney Roosters lose Martin Kennedy and Anthony Minichiello today - replaced Jared Waerea Hargreaves (bench) and Jonathon Ford (fullback) respectively. Manly gain Ben Farrar in jersey 19 at the expense of Michael Oldfield. Michael Robertson moves from fullback to wing.
Braith Anasta's boot sets play underway and Manly through Jason King take the first hit-up.
3 min: Manly with the better of the running over the opening few minutes, managing to peg the Roosters inside their own half in each set whilst advancing just inside their half on both their sets. A challenging start for young fullback Ford, who is deputising for the missing Minichiello.
5 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by Michael Robertson. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Great start and the fluency in attack with Ben Farrar returning has already paid off, he found some space before giving it to fullback-cum-winger Michael Robertson to score the try. Lyon has no trouble adding the extras.
Manly Sea Eagles 6-0
8 min: Tony Archer becoming sllightly whistle happy here, three penalties straight for inside the ten metres. The touch judge has missed a foot on the sideline from Pearce too. The Roosters look out of sorts here, loose passes everywhere.
14 min: Trent Hodkinson with a clever kick traps Ford in-goal, a line drop out coming up and the Eagles really dominating proceedings thus far.
19 min: The Roosters trying everything here but a forward pass sees them turn over possession.
21 min: Manly on the attack inside the Roosters danger zone.
22 min: TRY
TRY Manly Sea Eagles
Scored by Steve Matai. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
The Roosters turn over possession and Manly get the spoils with another set on the opposition line, Steve Matai finds space down the left and manages to extend the lead with a great effort to score. Lyon's conversion just inside the upright, successful!
Manly Sea Eagles 12-0
25 min: Phil Graham has allowed the Sea Eagles to profit from what was really not a very good kick. He made a meal of it and Tony Williams took advantage and pressured Graham. Manly ball now, inside Roosters territory.
26 min: Foran pops a grubber through the line and Matai gets to it... it's not a try though, he's lost control of it. Roosters 20m restart.
32 min: Another error from the Roosters here, they're completely out of sorts today.
34 min: Ben Farrar gets a case of the dropsies and the Roosters are out of jail again. Manly should be in front by far more than they are, errors costing both sides now.
36 min: Brent Kite has been taken high by Daniel Conn, Kite looks like he may have a jaw injury.
37 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL Manly Sea Eagles
Penalty goal attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Daniel Conn is ON REPORT, Jamie Lyon opts for the two and the Sea Eagles are up by fourteen with about three til halftime.
Manly Sea Eagles 14-0
VIDEO REFEREE for a possible Roosters try right on the bell, 39:58 on the clock with Shaun Kenny-Dowall claiming a four-pointer.
40 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
The try is awarded with big SKD first to the ball for the Roosters and after looking like complete dunderheads for the first 39 minutes we have a 14-6 halftime score, a huge difference to the 14-0 we were preparing for. Carney converts.
Manly Sea Eagles 14-6
41 min: Play resumes at the SFS, Manly with plenty of injury worries including Kite and Watmough both forced off during the first half today.
VIDEO REFEREE for another possible try to the Roosters' Shaun Kenny-Dowall, only two minutes into the second half. Interference being checked.
44 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Possible eight-point try to Shaun Kenny-Dowall for a Jamie Lyon post-try tackle which was put ON REPORT. We could go from Manly 14-0 to 14-all within a few minutes before and after halftime. Carney with the first goal attempt... perfect.
Manly Sea Eagles 14-12
45 min: PENALTY GOAL
PENALTY GOAL Sydney Roosters
Penalty goal attempt by Todd Carney successful.
No trouble with the second attempt right in front for Todd Carney. Jamie Lyon is blowing up but scores are level!
14 all
47 min: Glenn Stewart ON REPORT for a nasty looking tackle.
49 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Todd Carney. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
Fantastic duck-and-weave try just before the line and Todd Carney scores and converts, putting the Roosters in front by six. A complete about-face from a team who looked like they didn't want anything to do with this match just minutes before halftime.
Sydney Roosters 20-14
52 min: Perhaps some justice for Manly fans as Daniel Conn is escorted from the field after what looked like a head knock.
53 min: Manly with their first good attacking set off the half but Foran puts it into touch on the full on the last tackle kick. Roosters handover ten metres out.
VIDEO REFEREE for what won't be a Roosters try to Mitch Aubusson. He was short.
54 min: NO TRY and the Roosters are tackled with the ball on the last and it's a handover. The boys are getting restless and Cecchin is forced to play mediator as some pushes start to find their way into the contest. This game is getting very interesting and fiery.
56 min: Ben Farrar can't hold the ball 35m out from the Roosters' line. Scrum Roosters.
58 min: Manly get a penalty for a tackle in the air although Tony Archer snaps at Watmough to stop charging in at him. Everyone's temper is fraying out there...
60 min: Manly with a prime opportunity to hit back here...
62 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Sam Perrett. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney unsuccessful.
WHAT A TRY! Todd Carney shuts down a grubber on the fifth and the Roosters spread it through to Pearce, who puts Kenny-Dowall into space. He makes it to halfway before being covered, but not before he gets a ball over the head to Perrett who flies away down the touchline to put the Roosters further ahead! Carney misses but the Roosters are in front by ten inside the last 20 minutes.
Sydney Roosters 24-14
65 min: TRY
TRY Sydney Roosters
Scored by Shaun Kenny-Dowall. Conversion attempt by Todd Carney successful.
A great offload from Jason Ryles on his own 30m finds Pearce who explodes into space down the left. He's dragged down 20m out from the Manly line. They spread it right to SKD who claims his hat-trick! Carney converts to push the Roosters to a sixteen point lead, and the game is as good as over now, what a comeback from the tricolours.
Sydney Roosters 30-14
70 min: Manly with a great opportunity but a forward pass sinks their chances. Ten left here, Roosters scrum on their own ten.
72 min: Some good pressure from Manly here, albeit too late, forcing a line drop out. For and against is what's left to play for and a try or two will help Manly's cause - they risk missing the eight if they can't beat Canterbury next week.
74 min: Another good crowd this weekend with 18,962 packed into the SFS.
75 min: Manly force another drop-out after they just couldn't cross the line.
76 min: Ben Farrar with the fifth tackle option, a poor grubber which is easily picked up by the Roosters. After just one tackle the Roosters start spreading it... a clear sign of who has been more willing in this second half.
78 min: Phil Graham into space and puts a chip-kick in down the touchline, Ben Farrar is forced to wrap it up but spills it into touch. They'll get a shot at points with a bit more than two minutes remaining.
79 min: Nothing doing for the Roosters and instead Manly will gallop up the park. Last tackle and Hodkinson with a chip over the top, that's the game as he regathers and throws a forward pass. The scrum won't pack.
FULLTIME and the Roosters have produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Manly in a game where the cliche "a tale of two halves" has never rung more true.