Manly big men dominant meek and mild Warriors

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Warriors

Back at home, the Manly Sea Eagles have shown that they may still be a strong force in the competition as they made the Warriors look like a reserve grade side following their dominant 44-12 victory at Brookvale Oval.

The opening forty minutes resembled Pitt Street in the Sydney CBD, just one way traffic with everything dominated by the Maroon and White.

Opening the scoring in just the fifth minute when Tof Sipley barged over from close range to slam the ball down under the posts. If you weren't worried about how soft the Warriors middle was, the next try was worse when the defence stood passively waiting for a last tackle kick only for Lachlan Croker to go for the short ball to a charging Haumole Olakau'atu to go through and score.

The first half was the Haumole Olakau'atu show as he dominated the Warriors defence as they struggled to stop him. The Sea Eagles extended their lead out to 14-0 when Reuben Garrick added a penalty goal from close range.

An interesting few moments ensued as Reuben Garrick was initially awarded a try based on Grant Atkins believing there was simultaneous grounding. The bunker intervened when the replays showed that Wayde Egan had gotten to the ball first and despite claims of a penalty try by Garrick and his teammates, the bunker ruled that there was no penalty try but a professional foul.

The Warriors were down to 12 after Bunty Afoa was sent to the sin bin and it took the Sea Eagles just a couple of plays to score when Marty Taupau got one of the more questionable tries this season. Despite the Manly big man getting up to play the ball after it looked like he was tackled short, the try was awarded and then upheld by the bunker.

Josh Schuster rubbed salt into the first half wounds of the Warriors when the Sea Eagles shifted left and the Sea Eagles youngster got himself over the line to score.

Leading 24-0 at the break, the Sea Eagles added an early penalty goal to push the lead out to 26-0.

The Warriors had a try denied when Jack Murchie was held up but they got on the board and it was Murchie who got his four pointer as Reece Walsh broke through an attempt at tackle from Morgan Harper and found Murchie who was backing up through the middle.

A 20-minute period of control for the Warriors only netted them one try and it was a reappearance of their poor middle defence that let Morgan Harper slide through the middle before Reuben Garrick took the last pass and scored. Reuben Garrick had a double soon after when a bit of luck went his way after a Lachlan Croker kick came off the head of Rocco Berry bouncing into the in-goal and the Sea Eagles Fullback pounced.

The Warriors scored a consolation try under the posts with a few minutes to go when Bunty Afoa charged through the line to score under the sticks. The final scoring play came through a Jason Saab intercept when the visitors looked to spin the ball wide, only for it to find the Manly quick man to score and seal the 44-12 win after Garrick's conversion.

Next weekend, the Sea Eagles have a trip to Campbelltown on Sunday afternoon whilst the Warriors have a tough task when they host the Sharks on Sunday night in Redcliffe.