3 months ago
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4.52pm
And Manly hit back. Jason Saab flying over in the corner as Tom Trbojevic roams on both side of the field. Turbo throws the last pass and Saab moves at serious pace before diving over - didn’t have much room to work with but he did it oh so well. Sea Eagles needed that like nothing else. Reuben Garrick just shaves the upright and can’t convert from the sideline.
Bulldogs 12 Sea Eagles 4
4.48pm
Canterbury’s first error comes after 35 minutes - Reed Mahoney throws a forward pass from dummy-half as the Dogs press Manly’s line. It was 21 completed sets from as many attempts until that point. Sea Eagles with a piggyback penalty out of trouble.
There’s a Bulldog down and he hasn’t moved. Bronson Xerri it is, he’s copped some heavy friendly fire from Viliame Kikau. Kicked in the face as the big Fijian was flung around making a tackle. That hurts to watch. He’s been split across the bridge of the nose - that’s the end of his modelling career. But he’s up and he’s ok.
Bulldogs 12 Sea Eagles 0
4.41pm
And the Bulldogs’ patience pays off. Kiraz over in the corner. Some great skill from their right edge. Galvin with a no-look pass.
Connor Tracey reaching forward to catch and pass in the one motion. Stephen Crichton doing the same as the defence rushes. Kiraz with plenty of time and space as a result and he does the job.
Excellent work all round. Stephen Crichton wobbles a kick one way, then the other, and it sails between the sticks from right on the sideline. All coming up blue and white right now.
Bulldogs 12 Sea Eagles 0
4.38pm
Interesting to note the shift in Canterbury’s attack of late - offloads everywhere this game - 10 in 25 minutes is off the charts. They gave the ball plenty of air too against Penrith, I think this is how Cameron Ciraldo sees his side beating the best come finals time. Fun to watch. Especially when they do it and complete 15 straight sets. Manly aren’t quite as fluent, but still looking handy too.
Jason Saab again flying for a high kick and if Tom Trbojevic can latch onto his bat back, try time. He can’t but Saab has a second crack and only desperate defence denies him.
Then Tof Sipley ends up on report for tripping when Canterbury get the ball back. All happening.
Bulldogs 6 Sea Eagles 0
4.32pm
4.29pm
Manly’s errors mounting once the game gets underway again. A right-edge shift ends up over the sideline as Tom Trbojevic, Hopoate and Saab get it wrong. Canterbury on the attack again.
Lachlan Galvin into his work.Credit: Getty Images
The play almost breaks down though with a poor Lachlan Galvin pass that puts Jacob Kiraz under pressure.
His grubber has Hopoate scrambling but by the end of the set Daly Cherry-Evans hammers a clutch 40-20. Fine playmaking. It’s a pretty unimpressive set afterwards before Saab leaps for a high ball and is caught by the defence on the last. Good contest this.
Bulldogs 6 Sea Eagles 0
4.23pm
Canterbury work their way back into the contest and then some. Their dominance of field position translates into a Matt Burton bomb that Jason Saab absolutely botches.
He’s not under too much pressure as he flies high and spills it straight into the path of Sam Hughes. From 10 metres out he carries Lehi Hopoate over the line for the third try of his career. To anyone with the big fella as first try-scorer at a squillion to one, your shout.
Bulldogs 6 Sea Eagles 0
4.17pm
4.15pm
Did I mention Manly look like world beaters? Not any more. Canterbury working their way into the contest. First with Matt Burton making a break down the left. Then Tolu Koula stuffing up a play-the-ball. Bulldogs on the attack and Manly are still landing big shots in defence.
Matt Lodge leading the assault before Viliame Kikau dribbles a grubber into the in-goal. It’s very handy. But Lehi Hopoate is all over it and the Sea Eagles end up getting a penalty for Bronson Xerri being offside. Good play all round.
Bulldogs 0 Sea Eagles 0
4.08pm
And we’re off. Canterbury kept Manly waiting a few moments there before running out through a guard of honour from their 1995 heroes.
Manly with first use of the footy, Matt Burton’s big boot sends it downfield and Siosiua Taukeiaho brings it right on back. Jaeman Salmon skittled by Matt Lodge in the second tackle. Good start. And after a solid yardage set the Sea Eagles forwards are hunting big contact in defence too. Jake Trbojevic with a big shot.
This could be one of those days when Manly look like world-beaters.
Bulldogs 0 Sea Eagles 0
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