FULL-TIME: Tigers 34 – Sea Eagles 18
What a performance by the Tigers today. Absolutely dominant in all aspects.
The two relatively late tries to Manly left a scoreline that probably didn’t fully reflect the Tigers’ dominance. Their forwards absolutely monstered Manly; personally I think Aaron Woods is in career best form and Taupau and Gavet’s impact off the bench is enormous. Robbie Farah’s dummy half work was also exceptional, steering his side around the park today with great skill. Brooks and Anasta were solid but probably took a backseat to Farah today.
For Manly it was just one of those days – their forwards were out-enthused and outplayed and they could never really manage a roll-on. Despite this they did look pretty good when they had their attacking opportunities. You could see Brett Stewart’s influence on that left-hand side as Matai came away with a brace and could have had a couple more. But in the end, they were never in this game today and looked by far the lesser side.
There will, however, be a cause for concern for Tigers’ fans as James Tedesco succumbed to an ankle injury in the second half. It was sustained earlier and he tried to play through the pain but in the end it was too much and he exited with 30 minutes remaining. Ava Seumanufagai also left the field with a shoulder injury.
For Manly, Daly Cherry-Evans went on report for a knee, but I didn’t see too much in it and don’t think he’ll have a case to answer.
It’ll be suburban rugby league at its best this afternoon as the Wests Tigers take on the Manly Sea Eagles at Leichhardt Oval. Join us for live scores and commentary from 3pm AEST.
While most experts had these two sides at very different ends of their ladder predictions just a few weeks ago, after four rounds of NRL action the Tigers have shown enough to be considered a legitimate threat to any side in 2014.
There’s the faintest whiff of 2005 about them at the moment as a new crop of exciting youngsters – headlined by fullback James Tedesco and halfback Luke Brooks – are lighting up the NRL in the early rounds.
Whether that whiff becomes anything more in 2014 remains to be seen, but the Tigers have a chance today to prove they have what it takes as they take on one of the competition’s heavyweights.
So far this season the Sea Eagles have faced three of last season’s top four sides (they, of course, were the fourth) and have managed to come through with six competition points despite injuries to key personnel, in particular Brett Stewart.
They were at their gritty best last week as they defeated the Roosters in a low-scoring contest. Expect it to be far more open today – the Tigers have scored the second most points in the NRL this season with 109 while also conceding more points than any other team with 114.
The home side welcomes back Liam Fulton and possibly Tim Simona while Manly may be missing the services of Glenn Stewart, who sustained a concussion in Round 4. He’ll be monitored up until game time.
If the combination of Tedesco and Brooks can turn it on today like they did against the Rabbitohs and the Titans in earlier rounds, anything could happen here.
The Tigers might have lost to the Warriors last week, but they were ahead in that contest until Tedesco limped off the field in the 28th minute. It’s no coincidence that they lost their way from there.
Also look for plenty of impact from the Tigers’ bench, especially Marty Tapau and James Gavet who have been excellent this season and are always looking for off-loads.
For mine, though, Manly simply have too much class in the backline. In Kieran Foran – who was outstanding against the Roosters – and Daly Cherry-Evans they have the best 6-7 in the comp, while in Jamie Lyon and Steve Matai they also have the best 3-4.
I’m predicting a spirited showing from the home side at Leichhardt, but I reckon the visitors will be too good in the end. Manly by 10.
Can the Tigers pick up a memorable win at their spiritual home, or will the Sea Eagles once again prove why they’ve so often been the benchmark over the last few years?
Join us this afternoon at 3pm AEST for live score updates and debate on our live blog, and be sure to give us your opinion in the space below if you’re watching.
Adam
Roar Guru
That's a really interesting point Terry. I don't think I've ever seen a penalty try awarded for offside. It might set a tricky precedent. Farah obviously went very close and was held up, but if you award a penalty try for that then you could probably argue that any attacking player that gets stopped just short of the line by an offside defender deserves a penalty try. The rule basically says that it comes down to the referee's opinion, so it might be one of those unwritten rules that they don't blow it for offside. Tough one though.
Dave
Guest
The Tigers need to learn to moop up gammes. They beat Souths but let two late tries in and the same with Manly. Although they won both comfortably, thye need to overcome that flaw. DCE purposely kneed the face of a Wests player, probably through frustration. He is a afntastic player and predominately a clean player. Happy for him accept an early plea and not be suspended, but istis attacking the head of a player and needs to be stamped out.
Dave
Guest
Terry,that is exactly what I thought at the time. I can't see anywhere is the rule book where it could not be a penaty try.
Banana man
Guest
Yeah I was of the same opinion at the very least it was a professional foul and he should've been sitting down for ten minutes.
The eye
Guest
Tim Simona..born in NZ but educated in Sydney West..he has got Blue written all over him..top player,as slippery and elegant runner as Jennings but with mongrel.
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Shameful game
Terry Kidd
Guest
Adam, I have a question .... in the 19th minute Farrah went from dummy half and close to the line, Watmough was offside and never square at marker, Watmough prevented Farrah from grounding the ball for a try, the ref penalised Watmough for being offside and not square at marker ..... in my mind it should have been a penalty try. Correct or not?
Tom
Guest
Calm down mate, we are a week off a very gutsy performance against the Roosters. Every team puts in rubbish performances time to time. Be thankful you support Manly, who very rarely put in gutless performances like today...Parra put in those kind of performances every second week.
Bluebag
Guest
Bit harsh mate. I'm no Manly fan but they are a brave and gutsy team, as they have shown time and again over recent years and even this season (eg v Souths). They had an off day today (Jamie Lyon came up with more mistakes today then he'll make all season in his other games) and were out-enthused and outplayed.Try being a fan of Newtown or (insert name of whichever club has broken the hearts of its supporters)...
Schuey
Guest
Tigers forwards completely out enthused Manly forwards which was personally quite disappointing as I got public transport to the game to support Manly and got soaked on the Hill. Great Hill at Liechardt, better than Brooky even. Pies were hot too. Tigers props and Taupau were immense, Manly forwards seemed to go high a lot and fall off tackles. Over 30 missed tackles jeez. Manly are a bit light on props. Some days just don't work out. We'll be there at the business end. Go Manly.
S.L.
Roar Rookie
Now that's a man who takes his sport seriously. Good Job.
Silver_Sovereign
Guest
what is with the mighty eagles, very inconsistent.
uPelican
Guest
Fair Dinkum! Bloody Manly. I swear they prove the point that there is such a thing as karma, and bad karma in particular. And you know who cops all the bad karma from past lives? Bloody poor old Manly supporters. It's a bloody curse to be a Manly supporter : it's a test and trial of mental equilibrium, and every now and again they pull capers like this out to drive the supporters into the loony bin. Where's the pride? Where's the courage? Where is some simple self respect? Maybe Tooves should lob down to the Sydney Swans and ask a few of them to put the maroon and white on and have a run on the field. Even blokes who are clueless rugby league players could show this mob that it's actually possible to leave the dressing sheds and go onto the field and have a go . 26-0 in favour if the tigers at one stage! What a disgrace. They should swap this squad with whoever is playing for Port Moresby. Fair Dinkum. Good thing my wardrobe's a mess and I couldn't be bothered finding the old jersey with the WORMALD logo on it . Drive a bloke insane, they do.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 18 What a performance by the Tigers today. Absolutely dominant in all aspects. The two relatively late tries to Manly left a scoreline that probably didn't fully reflect the Tigers' dominance. Their forwards absolutely monstered Manly; personally I think Aaron Woods is in career best form at the moment and Taupau and Gavet's impact off the bench is enormous. Robbie Farah's dummy half work was also exceptional, steered his side around the park today with great skill – Brooks and Anasta were solid but probably took a backseat to Farah today. For Manly it was just one of those days – their forwards were out-enthused and outplayed and they could never really manage a roll-on. Despite this they did look pretty good when they had their attacking opportunities. You could see Brett Stewart's influence on that left-hand side as Matai came away with a brace and could have had a couple more. But despite that, they were never in this game today and looked by far the lesser side. There will, however, be a cause for concern for Tigers' fans as James Tedesco succumbed to an ankle injury in the second half. It was sustained earlier and he tried to play through the pain but in the end it was too much and he exited with 30 minutes remaining. Ava Seumanufagai also left the field with a shoulder injury. For Manly, Daly Cherry-Evans went on report for a knee, but I didn't see too much in it and don't think he'll have a case to answer.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 18
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 18 80' Anasta finds touch with one minute left on the clock, winding down the seconds now with no players rushing to the scrum.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 18 79' Nice movement out to the right by Manly and Lyon finds some space, he toes the ball back on the inside but Nofoaluma is back there to clean it up.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 18 77' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL from Lyon. Seumanufagai has left the field with a shoulder injury here.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 16 76' TRY MANLY. Matai has scored, another simple left-side sweeping play and Stewart puts him over for his second.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Tigers 34 - Sea Eagles 12 75' Foran kicks for Hiku in space on the flank, he takes it and is away up field! Simona pulls him down! Back on the inside, Manly have a chance to score going through the hands but the final ball goes to Robbie Farah and Tigers are back in possession!