2024 review: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
24 hours ago | Lachy MacCorquodale
The Sea Eagles have overcome a first half deficit to down the luckless Wests Tigers 28-16 at Brookvale this afternoon.
Manly started frenetically on a sunny Sunday with two early tries - Shaun Lane and Matt Wright both troubling the scorers inside the first fifteen minutes to have the visitors well and truly on the back foot.
Eventually the Tigers were able to wrestle some of the momentum back, Joel Edwards crossing for their first at the 25 minute mark, and Esan Marsters doubling down on that effort a few minutes later to put the Tigers ahead 10-8 going into the break.
Having sucked the life out of the Brookvale crowd, the Tigers went on with it in the second half, Luke Brooks scoring five minutes after the resumption, and suddenly a 16-8 deficit was staring the home side in the face.
They were almost in again at the 50 minute mark but some quality defence from Daly Cherry-Evans - who had an outstanding performance today - forced an error and the Sea Eagles released the pressure valve.
The familiar feelings of dread came back for Wests Tigers fans when Matt Wright grabbed his second try with 25 minutes remaining, and Akuila Uate put the home team ahead just a few minutes after that. A tense struggle ensued until Jake Trbojevic all but sealed the result ten minutes from time, a 26-16 lead which was improved upon in the 78th when Cherry-Evans potted a penalty goal to push the final winning margin to twelve points.
The Wests Tigers now head to ANZ to host the Eels next Sunday as part of the 'Stay Kind' initiative, while the Sea Eagles are in Wollongong the same afternoon to host the struggling Dragons.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 - Wests Tigers 16
Venue: 4 Pines Park, Brookvale / Cammeraygal
Crowd: 14128
Halftime Score: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 8 Wests Tigers 10
LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Daly Cherry-Evans
2 points - Jake Trbojevic
1 points - Aaron Woods
MANLY-WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES (28)
Tries: Shaun Lane, Matthew Wright (2), Akuila Uate, Jake Trbojevic
Field Goals:
Conversions: Matthew Wright (0/1), Daly Cherry-Evans (3/4)
Penalty Goals: Daly Cherry-Evans (1/1)
WESTS TIGERS (16)
Tries: Joel Edwards, Esan Marsters, Luke Brooks
Field Goals:
Conversions: Tuimoala Lolohea (2/3)
Penalty Goals: