Brett Stewart and Kieran Foran starred on Friday night as Manly eased pressure on coach Geoff Toovey with a 30-20 win over Wests Tigers.
In front of 8093 fans at Brookvale Oval, the Sea Eagles snapped a three-game NRL losing streak but will likely finish the round still in last spot on the ladder.
Foran was instrumental, setting up two tries and scoring another while Stewart continued his love affair with the Manly home ground, crossing for a double.
Toovey is under pressure to keep his job, with Penrith assistant Trent Barrett reportedly being sized up for the head coaching role.
He still has support in some quarters of the Manly supporters. Before kickoff, a group of fans was collecting signatures on a petition for Toovey to be retained, despite the Sea Eagles winning just four of their opening 13 games and fighting to avoid their first wooden spoon.
The Sea Eagles took an 18-10 lead into halftime after Foran set up Manly’s first two before scoring in the shadows of the break.
The Tigers dragged themselves back into the contest through Mitchell Moses and Pat Richards however Foran was the decisive factor.
He put in an inch-perfect kick for Steve Matai before Feleti Mateo put the dynamic five-eighth over in the 39th minute.
Daly Cherry-Evans came into the game under scrutiny after an underwhelming performance for Queensland in State of Origin II on Wednesday night and gave his critics further ammo when he dropped the ball over the line.
However, the No.7 atoned a few minutes later when he kicked ahead for Stewart after getting around the Tigers’ defence, with the Prince of Brookvale bringing up his eighth try in five games at Manly’s home ground and his 10th overall this season.
Kevin Naiqama gave the Tigers a sniff to reduce the margin to 24-14, however Cherry-Evans orchestrated a try for Ligi Sao, who crossed for his second NRL four-pointer.
The Tigers surged late, scoring via Moses before Tim Simona was denied by the video referee, but the Sea Eagles hung on.
The Brookvale ground held up well despite heavy rain during the day which forced the under-20s match to be moved. The Brookvale pitch came in for criticism earlier in the year when it was covered in holes during Manly’s round-three match with Canterbury.
Manly’s Dunamis Lui and the Tigers’ Chris Lawrence were both put on report for alleged crusher tackles.
Tigers centre David Nofoaluma’s season appears to be over after suffering a knee injury late in the first half.
The game marked a rare occasion this season the Sea Eagles were able to put their preferred spine of Cherry-Evans, Foran, Stewart and Matt Ballin all on the park after a horror injury run.
While he didn’t want to make excuses, Toovey said the side was only going to get better as they get troops back.
“It’s very rare that we’ve had that combination for many matches this year,” Toovey said.
“The more we can do that the better. We’ve had a lot of injuries over the year so far.
“Hopefully that’s the end of it but it’s no excuse.
“We’re still a good quality side.”
The Tigers went into the match without hooker Robbie Farah as he recovered from Origin II and continued to nurse a shoulder injury.
Coach Jason Taylor said he expected to have their captain back next week.
He said the side was punished for a lack of focus at training during the week, just seven days after seemingly turning their season around with a memorable win over South Sydney.
“I don’t feel frustrated because that’s the path we’re on,” Taylor said.
“How many times have I sat here and said we’re looking for consistency? We’re not getting it yet but we’re working towards it.”
bazza
Guest
what a crock Killa ,Foran is a good player DCE has the potential to be a great player ,if it was a choice between the two you would take DCE every time. As for Sterlo and Joey they didn't even know the rules when Graham took Reynolds down and they also thought the no try to Inglis was a try . Foran made a big mistake signing with Parra but as I said good player not great and played crap in the first part of the game the other night whereas the break DCE made and kick in to Stewart was bruilliant ,thats why Manly are paying him 10 mil.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Eye I would but to quote Brett Finch “I’m not too sure I wasn’t watching closely” ;-)
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
I have to agree with you ...Manly picks up the Parra castoffs for a reasonble cost whereas Parra buys Manly guys whose best is behind them for outlandish money ...and yes I include Hoppa in that category ...$800,000 a season and not a patch on his pre-walkabout form.
The eye
Guest
well what games specifically are you talking about Killa ? Manly havent won since round 9 where Cherry lead a thumping victory over the knights and a week earlier he carried the side in the win over the Storm..Direct me to a recent collection of games where Foran lead a Cherry less side to victory...
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah he was good last night KK. I didn't include him as he was Parra via the Warriors. Like Lyon was Parra via Wigan. You guys definitely have a cracking signing in Foran. He'll direct the team well behind your monster, young pack. I'm just not sure DCE is as bad as people are making out.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
eagleJack You forgot Mateo ...he also was ex Parra and is going gang busters at Manly .
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Like who? Buhrer, T-Rex, Wolfman, Taufua all bought from Parra on the cheap. Can you really say that any of them went backwards once they got to Manly? All of them went on to rep sides. Even a guy like Horo was taken from reserve grade at Parra, and was very close to making the Kiwi QWC squad after a year with Manly. Parra, on the other hand, have paid a fortune for Lussick, Hopoate and Watmough from Manly. None of them reached the heights they did at Manly. Absolute graveyard over there. I love Foz so hope he doesn't suffer the same fate.
fazed
Guest
Well Manly has been a bit of a graveyard for Parra players who went there as well. Manly have done well over the years but then again how many of them are from their own local comps, they have no problems in signing players from other clubs over their values as well.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Well hopefully the talented Foran doesn't go to Parra and become Claude. Like every other recruit they have made in the past 20 years. Graveyard for talent.
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
BURN :-)
KillaKanga
Roar Rookie
Eye I don't form opinions based on one game , likewise I don't pay attention to nor attach credability to what is said by the "Comedy Crew" ....Rabbs ,Gus, Freddie, Finchy . I do however listen to Sterlo and Joey because they actually know what they are talking about. Manly, without Foran struggle whereas Manly with/without Claude...not much difference .
john badseed
Guest
feel sorry for Jake as the NRL will find reason to ban his perfect rugby league type tackling style while continuing to support the tackling style of the easts forwards, especially JWH, as the benchmark for all NRL teams as well as the juniors.
Tony
Guest
I was impressed with Mateo last night. I think he played the 80 and in the greasy conditions didn't try one silly offload to lose the ball, instead he bided his time and put Foran over beautifully. On Jake T - Joey said before the match that Galloway set the tone last week dragging 4 Souths defenders 5 metres on the first hit up. Galloway took the first hit up last night and Jake stopped him cold. We could be in for a creditable season once we get Lawrence and Lyon back on the park. Would like to see Tom T given a good run when Lyon comes back pushing Hiku to the wing and Tafua out. Didn't know about Lewis Brown - that's great news.
The eye
Guest
You mean like the premiers did last week ?
SpongeBob
Guest
Back at club level and DCE stands out again. Then again half your team does when you're playing the Tigers.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Thanks for the Taupau feedback, fazed. I wasn't aware of that. He came good in the second half - wasn't far off inspiring a Tigers miraculous comeback.
fazed
Guest
Watching on TV one cannot experience the atmosphere nor hear the hits as found at the game, but for me watching Jake, showed up how affective good hard one on one/head on tackles can be, its an old but lost art. Cannot name all the old forwards who could pull them off, meant that 2 other players were not found running back onside to cover the next play, usually meant the tackled player also was slower getting up, so multi purpose single man tackle. Toupou, is a hard runner & perhaps close to the hardest in the game, when he came off in the first half, he was seen with head down on the bench & the female 9 reporter said he hade spewed, was he sick from a virus or something? no one knows but that first stint likely took it out of him.
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
Yes EJ - hi-five to that! Finally I find another who thinks Jake T was best on ground. Terrific footballer and even better bloke. He's one of a handful of good young props emerging across the NRL. His game is developing rapidly - grass cutting tackles, heavy collisions, good metres and crafty ball play. Special mention to Martin Taupau. His charges took on another dimension from my spot on the fence - carts it up at break-neck speed. The sound on impact is frightening. No sure how many minutes he played but from an Eagles perspective it was great seeing him parked on the bench for most of the first half. Tigers needed more minutes from him - especially with Woods backing up.
fazed
Guest
I guess the issue that really is now behind us is that Manly had 2 top halves, could not keep both, & probably preferred Foran over DCE, as indicated by the early offers & subsequent withdrawals to DCE. Manly was hoping one would blink & change their mind, which as it turned out Foran was not prepared to do, then they had no choice but go for DCE. That is not bad but, the media circus that it all involved hurt both DCE & Manly, & it showed early on along with some team depletions as well now its all settled with DCE staying along with players coming back into the team, & the Trbojevi brothers especially Jake ensuring the club has some good future players & future. Only thing left is the coaching situation to be resolved. After watching last nights game, I really wonder though if Matai is injury free enough to have been a wise decision in the club resigning him. The other aspect to come out of the game at least for me was to see the amount of times that Foran fed the scrums, with DCE at loose Lock, wonder really who plays where these days.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I don't think anybody claimed DCE is the better half. They are both quality. Manly tried to keep both. Manly made both of them the players they are today. But when it became apparent that the interest for them was huge, they had to go with one. And that was Foran. That's not a slight on DCE. He's an exceptional player. But when faced with a business decision they went with Foran. DCE's contract was reduced and then pulled from the table. However, Foran was disappointed with his forward packs performance against the Roosters in the pre-season and the Eels in Rd 1. He chose to head to Parra where there is a pretty exciting young pack. Best of luck to him he's a top shelf player and bloke. Ironically losing a player of his calibre has meant the forward pack will be bolstered next year with Nate Myles and Lewis Brown. So I reckon they might hold their own again in 2016. DCE will be great for Manly in the years to come.