Turbo cleared for take-off as Des' return ends in defeat

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v Gold Coast Titans

Tom Trbojevic seemed to be the only Turbo cleared for take-off around the world after guiding Manly to 38 unanswered points and a win over the Gold Coast Titans, making Des Hasler's return to Brookvale Oval one to forget.

The match started at a frantic pace with the Titans creating havoc in Manly's defensive line, but their opportunities fell short at the critical moment. After eight minutes, Gold Coast capitalise on some high risk play. They earned the ball back from a short drop-out and quickly marched their way down-field. The left edge combined once more as David Fifita did well to send Alofiana Khan-Pereira flying down the sideline to score.

Manly's edge was on tenterhooks as Gold Coast went flying down the right edge with JoJo Fifita. After the Eagles conceded another six again on their own defensive line, Beau Fermor used his strength to get past several Manly defenders to get their second in as many minutes. Manly were down 8-0 inside the opening 15 minutes and were subjected to a heavy defensive load early.

With the limited attacking field position they did have, Manly were squandering the limited chances they had while their defence again were struggling to contain the lightning Titans backs and conceded 6 line-breaks in the opening quarter of the contest. Manly hit back with 8 minutes remaining in the first half. Jason Saab leapt highest to reclaim a short kick-off and Manly were on the attack. Following a series of ruck infringements and penalties, Luke Brooks caught the Titans left edge asleep and crossed for a great individual try.

Off the ensuing set post points, Manly marched 100 metres up field. Choosing to run it on the last, Brooks combined with Tommy Talau. Talau hit his mark after an earlier mis-cue and Lehi Hopoate runs it round to a respectable position to score and put Manly in front. Hopoate would leave the field after suffering an awful-looking injury to his left eye-socket and failed to return. However with momentum in hand, Manly went to the sheds up by four points.

After a frantic start to the second 40 as both sides went back and forth. Manly capitalised on a cheap error from the Titans out of yardage to set up shop in the Gold Coast 20. A wonderful, lofted pass from Tom Trbojevic caught AKP asleep at the wheel and Jason Saab had a saloon passage to the line for the first of the second 40.

The Sea Eagles shifted wide following the kick-off set and found the Titans left edge wanting once more. Turbo found Reuben Garrick who broke through Brian Kelly's tackle. Garrick got it away to Turbo who crossed and got into the Olympic fever with a Beach Volleyball serve to celebrate Try July.

The Titans weren't without their chances, having multiple sets on Manly's line. However, their execution wasn't as crisp at the opening moments. Kieran Foran's pass was intercepted by Talau who set-sailed for the line before being brought down by Fermor. On the ensuing play, Tommy Turbo split the Titans to score and put the match beyond doubt for the home side on the hour mark. Manly added further salt to Des Hasler's wound when Brooks and Turbo combined to find Burbo and Manly were having a party at Brookvale. Talau eventually added his name to the scorers sheet in the dying moments after Turbo delivered a wonderful pass to the flying winger to cross in the left corner.