Sea Eagles Edge Warriors in Wild Finish as Roosters Clash with Rabbitohs
What a night of rugby league it has been. The spotlight first shone on the Sea Eagles and Warriors, and fans were given a contest that could only be described as chaotic, dramatic, and downright exhausting to watch. In the end, Manly managed to scrape through with a 27–26 victory, but it was anything but straightforward.
The game at 4 Pines Park was packed with momentum swings and moments of madness. Early on, Manly looked in control. Luke Brooks lit up the second half with a solo try, then followed it with a perfectly placed bomb that set up another score. The Sea Eagles stretched their lead and seemed to have the Warriors at arm’s length. But then came the injuries – and they came thick and fast. Tommy Talau was taken off with a suspected broken thumb, Aaron Schoupp’s night ended with a knee injury, and Clayton Faulalo was ruled out after a head knock. By the closing stages, Manly had run out of healthy centres and were patching things together.
Also Read:- Canadians Frustrated by CRA’s Long Wait Times
- British Woman Missing in Greece Found Dead After Month-Long Search
The Warriors sensed the opportunity. Sam Healey, one of their best on the night, crashed through to bring his team back into it. With six minutes remaining, the margin was cut to just one converted try. Suddenly, the Warriors had all the momentum. That was when Daly Cherry-Evans, in what was billed as his farewell game in Sea Eagles colours, stepped up with the defining play. A wobbly but effective field goal – taken with his left boot, no less – gave Manly a seven-point buffer. It wasn’t the prettiest kick, but it proved decisive.
Even then, the Warriors refused to go quietly. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak sprinted clear, kicked ahead, and was illegally taken out by Tom Trbojevic, who was promptly sent to the sin bin. More time-wasting from the Sea Eagles saw Jazz Tevaga also binned. With the siren sounding, Watene-Zelezniak still managed to dive over in the corner for a try, and Tanah Boyd slotted the sideline conversion. The margin closed to just a single point, but by then, the Cherry-Evans field goal had already sealed it.
The final whistle was blown with relief from Manly fans and heartbreak for the Warriors. Cherry-Evans walked off to a standing ovation, his legacy as one of Manly’s greats firmly intact.
But the night wasn’t over. Attention then shifted straight to the other blockbuster – the Sydney Roosters against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. These two sides are the oldest of rivals, and the stakes were enormous, with finals spots on the line. The Roosters got on the board first, as Mark Nawaqanitawase powered through to score in the corner after a crisp attacking movement. It was the perfect start for the Tricolours, but the Rabbitohs, led by big names like Cameron Murray and Jack Wighton, were never going to make it easy.
With one thriller already done and dusted and another heavyweight clash unfolding, fans could hardly ask for more. Rugby league under the Friday night lights once again delivered its trademark mix of skill, drama, and raw emotion.
Read More:
0 Comments