The Manly Sea Eagles have crossed the bridge and conquered the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 20-6 at ANZ Stadium in front of 18,563.
The first half saw a dominate performance from the Sea Eagles with three tries. Jorge Taufua on display with a double thanks to some crafty ball skills. His first in the 10th minute saw him chime in the back line off a short pass from Brett Stewart. Jamie Lyon brought up his 800th career point with the conversion. Manly, 6-0.
Brett Stewart laid the foundation once again, this time for co-captain Jamie Lyon who ran the support play which saw the centre create a four-pointer from nothing. He danced and dummied over under the uprights to extend Manly's leads after 27 minutes.
Just before half time, Jorge Taufau claimed his second try as he raced through the defence to clean up grubber kick from Kieran Foran. The video referee awarded the four-pointer as Jorge Taufau managed to ground the ball just inside the dead ball line. As a result of the late try, at the break, Manly 18-0 leaders over Canterbury-Bankstown.
The Bulldogs were presented some chances throughout the second half, however the only four-pointer added to the board was to captain Michael Ennis. The video referee awarded the try as no obstruction was found on replay. Tim Lafai took the conversion in place of the suspended Krisnan Inu.
At full time at ANZ Stadium, The Manly Sea Eagles with class defence held out a weakened Bulldogs pack, 20-6.
Next week the Sea Eagles return home to Brookvale Oval as they meet the Cronulla Sharks. Meanwhile the Bulldogs head across town to Allianz Stadium to do battle with the flying Sydney Roosters.
The Bulldogs were presented some chances throughout the second half, however the only four-pointer added to the board was to captain Michael Ennis. The video referee awarded the try as no obstruction was found on replay. Tim Lafai took the conversion in place of the suspended Krisnan Inu.
At full time at ANZ Stadium, The Manly Sea Eagles with class defence held out a weakened Bulldogs pack, 20-6.
Next week the Sea Eagles return home to Brookvale Oval as they meet the Cronulla Sharks. Meanwhile the Bulldogs head across town to Allianz Stadium to do battle with the flying Sydney Roosters.
Match Details Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 20 Venue: Stadium Australia Crowd: 18,563 Halftime Score: Manly 18-0
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match: 3 points - Brett Stewart 2 points - Anthony Watmough 1 point - Matt Ballin
CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS (6) Tries: Michael Ennis Conversions: Timoteo Lafai (1/1)
UPDATED TEAMS: Frank Pritchard starts for the Bulldogs. Harlan Alaalatoa makes his NRL debut with David Klemmer and Greg Eastwood ruled out. Manly are unchanged, 1-17
Bulldogs: 1. Ben Barba 2. Mitch Brown 3. Josh Morris 4. Tim Lafai 6. Sam Perrett 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Kris Keating 8. Aiden Tolman 9. Michael Ennis (c) 10. Martin Taupau 11. Tony Williams 12. Josh Jackson 17. Frank Pritchard Interchange: 14. Dene Halatau 15. Dale Finucane 16. Tim Browne 21. Harlan Alaalatoa
Sea Eagles: 1. Brett Stewart 2. Jorge Taufua 3. Jamie Lyon 4. Steve Matai 5. David Williams 6. Kieran Foran 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Brenton Lawrence 9. Matt Ballin 10. Brent Kite 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Justin Horo 13. Tom Symonds Interchange: 14. Richie Fa'aoso 15. Joe Galuvao 16. Jamie Buhrer 17. Jason King
We are minutes away from kick off here at ANZ Stadium as both sides get the final messages from the coaches in the sheds.
1 min: We are UNDERWAY here at ANZ Stadium with the Bulldogs kicking off to give Manly first use of the ball
3 min: Both sides complete two sides each and it's end to end football at the moment. Boths gaining 40 metres each in their sets.
3 min: Josh Morris is caught on the last tackle with the ball for the Bulldogs and as a result of his short kick it's a 20 metre tap for the Sea Eagles
6 min: Ben Barba leapt from the field of play off the kick from Daly Cherry-Evans and concedes a line-drop out as a result.
10 min:TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Scored by Jorge Taufua. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Jorge Taufua chiming around the back of the play off a short pass from Brett Stewart danced through the defence to score his 16th career try. Jamie Lyon with the conversion from the touchline is successful to bring up his 800th career point Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 6-0
10 min: Penalty in the first attack off the kick off, Marin Taupau laying in the tackle too long. Manly taking the kick for touch and attack inside the Bulldogs half
13 min: Scrum feed packs down for the Bulldogs as the Manly kick finds the touchline. Dogs with the ball through the feed on their 10 metre line
15 min:UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Martin Taupau makes an unforced error as he charged into the Manly defence. Unable to handle the pass and dropped it 20 metres from his own line. As a result it's a scrum feed to the Sea Eagles
18 min: A few mistakes coming into the game in the last few minutes. Double knock on against Manly, 20 metres from the Bulldogs line. It's a scrum feed to the Bulldogs
19 min:UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Jorge Taufua makes an unforced error has he raced through the line hoping to clean up the kick from Brett Stewart looking for points. He is unable to take the ball and drops it over the touchline. Scrum feed to the Bulldogs on their 10 metre line.
23 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs as Michael Ennis was held off the ball and not allowed to regather his kick through the line. Kris Keating finds the touchline and will start the set 20 metres from the Manly goal line.
24 min: The Bulldogs set is able to see them post points, Mitch Brown offloads to Jamie Lyon as he attempted to keep the ball alive. Manly come up with it on their 10 metre line.
26 min:TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Scored by Jamie Lyon. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Brett Stewart created the ball firstly a line break through the Bulldogs defence. Stewart linked up with a running Jamie Lyon who darted between the would-be tacklers and dummied over under the uprights. Wonderful support work from Lyon to dance over for points. He successful converted his try from next to the uprights. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12-0
28 min:UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Anthony Watmough makes an unforced error has he charged into the defence and drops the ball. Bulldogs packing a scrum feed 30metres from the line.
29 min: Taufua took the kick in goal off the boot of Josh Reynolds and Manly earn a 20 metre restart as a result.
32 min: Penalty against Anthony Watmough for holding down in the ruck. Bulldogs kick for touch and will start their set outside of halfway
34 min: Ben Barba knocks on in the jump for the ball. Bulldogs almost coming up with points on the of the set. Manly meanwhile have the ball from a 20 metre tap
35 min:UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Josh Morris makes an unforced error as he attempted to get a quick throw away at dummy half. Manly with a chance for points inside 10 metres with a scrum feed.
36 min: VIDEO REFEREE for Manly. Looking a TRY for Taufua. Have no troubles with his on the dead ball line.
38 min:TRY MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Scored by Jorge Taufua. Conversion attempt by Jamie Lyon successful.
Kieran Foran with the short grubber through the Bulldogs line on the last tackle sees Jorge Taufau race through and ground the ball just before the dead ball line. The video referee happy with the grounding and awards the four-pointer. Jamie Lyon with the conversion from the touchline is successful. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18-0
40 min: HALF TIME at ANZ Stadium sees Manly leading the Bulldogs 18-0
41 min: Second half is UNDERWAY at ANZ Stadium with the Sea Eagles leading the Bulldogs 18-0
42 min:UNFORCED ERROR CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Tony Williams makes an unforced error as he attempted to pick up the ball at his feet. Manly with a scrum feed with a chance to attack only 20 metres out
43 min: A little kick to the corner from Jamie Lyon, however it's cleaned up by Ben Barba in goal. He managed to get a pass away in goal to Josh Morris who was quickly grounded. Line drop out awarded to the Sea Eagles as a result.
43 min:UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Jamie Buhrer makes an unforced error as he tried to run the play on the blind side. A lucky break for the Bulldogs as they earn a scrum feed on the 30 metre line.
44 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs and attacks just shy of halfway
46 min: Injury concern for Ben Barba after taking a tackle on the goal line. He grabbed at the ankle in pain, he returns to the fullback position. Bulldogs fans hoping he is okay
50 min: Josh Reynolds is penalised for a second attempt in the tackle after the held call.
51 min:UNSUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Penalty goal attempt by Jamie Lyon is unsuccessful as he failed to convert from in front. As a result it's 20 metre non-optional restart for the Bulldogs.
55 min: Tony Williams was collected in a big tackle and was down with the trainer. Straight after Michael Ennis, Watmough and Foran coming together in some heated words. Manly continue play after it all on their 30 metre line.
57 min: Forward pass called against Josh Reynolds looking for support on the outside as Tony Williams ran up too fast and had to throw the floater which went forward. Manly with another chance with a scrum feed on the Bulldogs 20 metre line.
58 min:UNFORCED ERROR MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Steve Matai makes an unforced error as was unable to take the short pass before being tackled. Scrum feed packs for the Bulldogs on their 10 metre line.
59 min: Penalty to the Bulldogs, Josh Reynolds finds the line and the Bulldogs attack just outside the Manly half
60 min: After a little mess of play, we have time off with Josh Morris down getting a poke in the eye. Dogs attacking on the 2nd tackle only 10 metres out.
61 min: Penalty against Steve Matai for not releasing in the tackle on the goal line. Bulldogs with another repeat set. They aren't out of this yet.
63 min: Brett Stewart all class darting out of the in goal area to get into the field of play. Manly's goal line defence perfect keeping the Bulldogs out despite a repeat set inside 10 metres
66 min: Jamie Lyon lining up another attempt at penalty goal. Hoping to make it beyond three converted tries.
66 min:SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES Penalty goal attempt by Jamie Lyon successful this time to make the lead beyond three converted tries. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 20-0
66 min: OFFICIAL CROWD at ANZ Stadium tonight: 18,563
69 min: Cherry-Evans takes the chip kick in goal and bolts up to the 20 metre line to get the quick tap away. Manly up to the Bulldogs 30 metre line on the 2nd tackle
71 min: Tony Williams earns a penalty as Jamie Buhrer fails to clear the ruck. Penalty to the Bulldogs and they attack inside Manly's 30 metre line.
72 min: VIDEO REFEREE for the Bulldogs. Michael Ennis sold a massive dummy. But we are looking at obstruction
73 min:TRY CANTERBURY-BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS Scored by Michael Ennis. Conversion attempt by Timoteo Lafai successful.
The video referee awards the four-pointer Michael Ennis as no obstruction could be found on the support Bulldogs player. A simple show and go fooled the Manly defence and it's a simple four-pointer for Ennis, his first try in almost two years. Tim Lafai with the conversion in place of the suspended Krisnan Inu slots the points. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 20-6
74 min: Penalty goes to Manly for a shoulder charge from the Bulldogs defence. Manly attacking only 30 metres out from the Dogs goal line.
78 min: Penalty against Manly for offside as the markers at the ruck ruled not square. Bulldogs with a massive kick sees them attack only 20 metre out from the Manly line.
80 min: FULL TIME at ANZ Stadium sees the Manly Sea Eagles defend the Bulldogs 20-6.