2 months ago
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4 Pines Park: Tom Trbojevic set up a try and had a hand in another as Manly ended a couple of rough weeks with an overdue win over a battle-weary Wests Tigers.
The Sea Eagles had been in the headlines as speculation mounted about the future of coach Anthony Seibold, and the shift of Trbojevic from his preferred No.1 jersey to the centres, so nothing but a win on Friday night would have quietened the external noise.
The Sea Eagles celebrate a Jason Saab try.Credit: Getty Images
It was hardly a vintage performance – and a far cry from the display footy fans were treated to the night before between Penrith and the Bulldogs – but Manly can build on their 28-10 win.
Trbojevic started at right centre and was barely used when the Sea Eagles did threaten the Tigers’ line in the first half. The one time they did, Trbojevic got on the outside of Adam Doueihi and sent Jason Saab over for the only try of the opening 40 minutes.
“Turbo” then drifted to the left side of the field at the end of a set early in the second half, forced a couple of Tigers defenders to baulk and stop shifting right, before passing and eventually allowing Reuben Garrick to score.
He was caught out badly in defence for a Tigers try, and was crunched by Jeral Skelton, which forced him to spill the ball. But Trbojevic is a class act, and how long he remains in the centres, and Lehi Hopoate at fullback, is now the question for Seibold.
A win next week against South Sydney on Manly’s old boys day will go a long way to boosting the club’s spirits – and finally get their spluttering campaign back on track.
Tom Trbojevic set up a try and had a hand in another in his move to the centres.Credit: Getty Images
Their forward stocks will be further depleted, however, after Nathan Brown suffered an arm injury when he launched himself at Skelton, only to miss.
The Tigers crashed to a sixth straight defeat, and things could be about to get worse after co-captain Api Koroisau was knocked out trying to tackle Jazz Tevaga, Heath Mason was placed on report for shoving referee Gerard Sutton and Tallyn Da Silva, who was an outside chance of being granted an early release before Monday’s transfer deadline, was placed on report for a dangerous tackle on Tevaga.
Benji Marshall’s men were already without Jarome Luai because of an infection, and he will also be unavailable for next weekend’s clash with the Sydney Roosters due to Origin duty. Fullback Jahream Bula is also out nursing a hamstring injury.
Da Silva’s management met with Manly, Parramatta, the Cowboys and Knights with the early money on the young hooker linking with the Eels. He scored the final try of the night, which may yet be his parting gift to the joint venture.
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Mason ran into the back of Sutton as he chased after a Daly Cherry-Evans kick. Parramatta’s Dylan Brown was hit with a grade-two contrary conduct charge a few weeks ago for running into a referee, and was hit with a one-match ban.
Tigers fans should be counting their lucky stars they did not lose Doueihi, who was their standout, and sparked their attack late in the second half. Doueihi remains off contract beyond this season, and based on his second-half cameo at 4 Pines Park, is worthy of an extension.
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