The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs have started their 2016 campaign on a high with a massive 22-point win over the Manly Sea Eagles.
The home side were on the backfoot as soon as the first ball was kicked conceding two early trys with Sam Perrett scoring off an overlap before Will Hopoate put down a Josh Reynolds grubber.
Manly were lucky not to concede another as Tony Williams was found to impede play denying Curtis Rona a try however, the Sea Eagles couldn’t hold the ‘Dogs out for long with Sam Kasiano going over in front of the sticks just moments after.
Josh Morris bagged a century of trys to put the Bulldogs in front by 22 points at the break with both Steve Matai and Martin Taupau going on report.
The second half started slowly with no scores until Jorge Taufua scored a miracle try in the 64th minute.
Curtis Rona scored for the Bulldogs just ten minutes later with Moses Mbye then kicking a penalty goal to give Canterbury a massive leg-up with a big win over the Silvertails.
The Bulldogs’ halves of Josh Reynolds and Moses Mbye were both very impressive while Michael Lichaa, Aiden Tolman and James Graham were also strong.
Manly will get a chance at redemption next week when they head across town to Leichhardt Oval where they take on the Wests Tigers in Monday night football. The Bulldogs have a six-day turnaround, with Des Hasler’s team required to play the Penrith Panthers at Pepper Stadium on Thursday night.
Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 6
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28
Round 1 of the NRL continues when the Canterbury Bulldogs head to Brookvale Oval to take on fierce rivals the Manly Sea Eagles. Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEDT) for live coverage.
The Sea Eagles have undergone huge changes over the off-season, with coach Trent Barrett arriving at the club, alongside a host of new players including Dylan Walker, Nate Myles, Martin Taupau, Lewis Brown, Apisai Koroisau and Matt Parcell.
Walker will make his debut for the Silvertails alongside Daly Cherry-Evans in the halves, with the former South Sydney premiership winner to shoulder much greater responsibility at his new club.
Nathan Green, who arrives from the St George Illawarra Dragons, will appear in the back row, faced with a huge task making the switch from centre.
Bulldogs coach Des Hasler will face a hostile reception from fans of the team where he spent 19 years both as a player and coach.
The Bulldogs’ dominant front-row rotation features internationals Josh Jackson, James Graham, Sam Kasiano and Greg Eastwood, but they must adjust to the interchange reduction introduced over the off-season. No David Klemmer won’t make this any easier.
Brett Morris is also out injured, meaning Chase Stanley will appear in the starting team following a strong pre-season, with 21-year old Adam Elliott likely to make his NRL debut.
But the Belmore club’s game is really in the hands of halves Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds, who no longer have the experience of Trent Hodkinson to fall back on.
The Sea Eagles were unable to get a win over the Dogs in 2015, with Dessie’s men winning 16-12 at Brookvale Oval in Round 3, and 28-16 at ANZ Stadium four weeks later.
Prediction
Sea Eagles by 4.
Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEDT) for score updates and debate in our live blog.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
True that Graham was the clear stand out -- I thought he looked in really good shape during the all stars game (after a couple of honestly under performing seasons from someone of his ability) and he seems to be bringing that into the regular season. I'd probably have given Tolman at least one point for his constant presence. Reynolds was good, lets see how he goes once some rougher seas are hit though because that's where his tendency to make poor decisions has been a problem historically.
Renegade
Roar Guru
I said it at the time.... Titans were the winners when Nate Myles joined manly. Their forwards got pumped.... I think their backline is going to have to carry them as far as they can again this year. That said - it's round 1... Can't make too many conclusions.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Manly will improve but back row is an issue. Green and Brown are colourful in name only and don't provide much threat in attack or defence on the edges. Who else have they got? Buhrer - not much better - or Mateo...?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Mbye controlled the game well, kicked well and laid on a try. But I probably agree overall. Graham was the only clear standout. Kasiano, Tolman and Williams were all very good. Kasiano and Williams both look in great nick...they could be devastating as the season rolls on. Reynolds was excellent last night, he was heavily involved in both of the first two tries and created space for his outside men almost every time he touched it. I thought he deserved the two points. Looked in a good headspace. His energy and passion is contagious...when it's well directed its great for the team.
The Barry
Roar Guru
How long is Stewart out? I heard it was going to be a while. JT and TT probably Manlys best...
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Bulldogs forwards led the way,backs worked their moves well and safe with hands. Manly players had 8 new faces thereabouts and played like strangers.They will get better with time together. Bunker system gets my vote,should have been around earlier.Can't fault it so far from a time to make a decision and getting it right.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Ref Sutton has improved somehow from last year (lets see how he goes for the entire year) but by gee he is a bit of a 'Bunker Freak' and always goes for the video ref. I thought Manly were completely out played and out muscled by the Dogs and never ever looked like coming back into this game or even being competitive. Dylan Walker is not a 5/8 by any means and he had a shocker at 5/8 and his kicking game was atrocious as was DCE.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Suspect it was a matter of wanting 3 bench forwards experienced in the middle and an edge forward who could also play hooker (Lichaa is slightly prone to cramping and Jackson also has had struggles in heat). Especially if Des was thinking about what happened in Penrith last year round 1.
johnno2
Guest
thought the ref bunker system has been good in the first 2 games. Manly looked totally out of their depth tonite. you could see how the bulldog players were so fit and full of running. manly looked like pedestrians in comparison. i think its going to be a long season for them
The eye
Guest
Hopefully T Rex can kick on from here,Dogs pack will have them on the front foot against every team..cant fathom why Des left out Shaun Lane... Manly were never in this...Api was good but doubt Walker has the skills to be a half and is Nathan Green an improvement on Justin Horo ?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Two words: forward dominance. Nate Myles still can't be bothered getting up for non-rep games, Titans were probably lucky to lose him. How Reynolds and Mbye claimed the 2 and 1 points here is puzzling to me, but I suppose flashy plays in the opposition 20 trump the good work in the rest of the field in some eyes.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
9th to finals footy is still on the cards though. Shocker in round 1. But it's a very long season, they looked very disjointed which no doubt stemmed from Stewart missing from the back calling plays. Full credit to the Dogs. They controlled the ruck, and won the middle. And capitalised on some terrible work from Manly in the in-goal.
Fiddlesticks
Guest
Gave to laugh at those experts who think manly are going from 9th to first because they signed a pensioner in myles, taupau who plays well once a month and a troubled centre as a half
Shades Carter
Roar Rookie
Opinion on the Ref Bunker tonight?
Muzz
Guest
It's called the 'Cavalier System' I miss Dave Smith. He would have streamers and balloons in the Bunker Room. The start of this season feels flat!
The Barry
Roar Guru
It's a wonder of the modern game how fullbacks do that...
Muzz
Guest
I thought Hopoate strengthened 12 other positions.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Who let the Dogs out? Hopefully that ends the 'dogs forwards can't handle the interchange' hoo-ha. If it wasn't for injuries at the end the dogs would have 3 or 4 interchanges up their sleeve. Business as usual for Graham, Tolman and Jackson. Dogzilla and Beast looking lean, mean and keen. T-Rex running onto the ball. Lichaa and Hopoate looked slick. Mbye controlled the game nicely, kicked well. Anyone that says Reynolds can't play is a mug. He creates an overlap as well as anyone in the comp. Obviously a long, long way to go but not many teams will come away from Brooky with a 22 point win. Best part is that a few of the doubts over the off season may not have been put to bed, but they've got their jarmies on and are brushing their teeth...
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
That concludes The Roar's coverage of Manly Sea Eagles vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Be sure to join us over the remainder of the round, with live coverage of all three games tomorrow starting with Jarrod McGrouther taking you through Canberra Raiders vs Penrith Panthers from 2:45pm (AEDT). I'll be back on Sunday for coverage of Sydney Roosters vs South Sydney Rabbitohs as well as the Davis Cup tomorrow. Thanks for following along folks. Manly Sea Eagles 6 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28
Riley Pettigrew
Roar Guru
MVP Nominations: 3 - James Graham (Bulldogs) 2 - Josh Reynolds (Bulldogs) 1 - Moses Mbye (Bulldogs) Manly Sea Eagles 6 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 28