Manly have come away 2 point winners in Sydney tonight. In what could be described as a scrappy affair, Manly held on for a gutsy win. That sends the Roosters to 0-4 for the season, a huge turn around for the Minor Premiers from 2015.
Manly lost Jamie Buhrer early with a suspected broken hand, combine that with Daly Cherry-Evans going off with 15 to go and Manly had every right to lose the game tonight.
Blake Ferguson was outstanding tonight, so was Shaun Kenny-Dowall for the Roosters. He had the most runs from anyone on the field in his 200th, and bagged a double.
The Roosters really dominated early, running riot up the middle but failed to find points. Manly’s bench played extremely well, the likes of Lussick, Vave and Leary putting in huge efforts.
Final score
Roosters 20
Manly 22
Saturday night’s fixture sees the Sydney Roosters host the Manly Sea Eagles, live from Allianz Stadium. No excuses for either side in this one, both fielded strong squads. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:30pm (AEDT).
The Roosters have a few changes for tonight’s game, they are without Dale Copley (pectoral) and Ian Henderson (leg). Brendan Elliot steps into the No.3 jersey and will look to fill the experienced shoes of Copley. Eloni Vunakece comes onto the bench to replace the injured hooker, who suffered a horrendous leg break last week. We wish him a speedy recovery.
After last week’s demoralising defeat at the hands of the Cowboys, the Roosters will be looking to post some points and do their fans proud this week. They weren’t their normal selves last weekend, conceding as many points in 80 minutes as they would have over 3 fixtures last year.
It’s hard to point the finger at any one performer for the Roosters, but it’s fair to say it will take a full team effort to defeat Manly tonight, themselves coming off a nice win Monday night.
The Sea Eagles won ugly five nights ago, but nonetheless got their season tally underway. Jamie Buhrer has been added to the squad so the Sea Eagles will travel with 18 this weekend. Daly Cherry-Evans and Dylan Walker are slowly getting their combination together, will this be the week it finally clicks?
If the Roosters lose this one, rule them out for Premiership contention, it has statistically never been done. Recent form between the sides would dictate that the Roosters are every chance in this one though, having won their last meeting 46-10.
Both sides are underperforming early on in the year. Going off last weeks form, despite the short turn around, I like Manly to go back to back in this one.
Manly by 14
No excuses for either side in this one, both fielded strong squads. Join The Roar for all the action from 7:30pm (AEDT).
Muzz
Guest
This season is officially a right off.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Cheers! yeah the attack wasn't great, against most other sides that wouldn't have been good enough
Zedman
Roar Rookie
Good call J M, i thought it was a good game to watch, a Dragons man but was hoping for a Manly win.
Jason Hosken
Guest
Fair wrap. SKD a blinder and unlucky not to collect. As an Eagle fan i thought they were gone early second half when the Roosters kept rolling through the middle. I'm keen to see replays of the bunker calls for both sides. I thought the rebound try off Lyon looked ok for Easts. Lussick bust made my night. Fired up the Eagles bay and his teammates. Walker defence a worry. Brown did well out wide. Scrappy win but another morale boost. Any news on DCE?
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The Moa tackle on DCE was fine. Not his fault just his weight on DCEs leg. Hoping it isn't serious. But the tackle on Walker was a disgrace. But of course not penalised. That would have been out of character for the refs tonight. But I imagine the MRC will have a say on it.
Schuey
Guest
Not sure what happened with Tafua but am worried he'll take the scars of that horror show into future games. Not pleased seeing Cherry hitting it up on multiple occasions. Have a word Barrett. Sam Moa rolled across CherrY's legs and did same to walker at the end. Pattern emerging?.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
What is frustrating with Taufua is the complete lack of emotion. Honestly looks like he has hit the bongs. Even when chasing a ball you'd think he was unaware he is actually on the footy field. Zero urgency. Great player. Terrific in contact. But needs a rocket.
Schuey
Guest
Tafua had a meltdown. Three dreadful dropped balls = 3 Roosters tries. Walker had chance to stand up the last 15min & didn't. A nice get square from the bunker to disallow a roosters try. Neither team really deserved to win, some poor skills & dumb footy on display.
Nicholas Belardo
Roar Guru
So many eagles
eagleJack
Roar Guru
No worries mate enjoyed your blog. Sorry for getting a little emotional :) Yeah good win. But the lack of direction, and cohesion is a concern. But I guess that's what happens with new combos. Another short turnaround now for a Thursday game. Will be tough.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
agreed, they looked tired tonight
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me mate, good win for your boys
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
POST MATCH REPORT Firstly, thank you to eagleJack, Joel Ericsson, Zeeman and Scott Pryde for getting involved in the chat tonight Manly have come away 2 point winners in Sydney tonight. In what could be described as a scrappy affair, Manly held on for a gutsy win. That sends the Roosters to 0-4 for the season, a huge turn around for the Minor Premiers from 2015. Manly lost Jamie Buhrer early with a suspected broken hand, combine that with DCE going off with 15 to go and Manly had every right to lose the game tonight. Blake Ferguson was outstanding tonight, so was SKD for the Roosters. He had the most runs from anyone on the field in his 200th, and bagged a double. The Roosters really dominated early, running riot up the middle but failed to find points. Manly's bench played extremely well, the likes of Lussick, Vave and Leary putting in huge efforts. Statistics wise: Tackles: Jake Friend - 54 Matt Parcell - 46 Jake Trbojevic - 46 Runs: Shaun Kenny-Dowall - 19 for 192m Jorge Taufua - 15 for 123m Blake Leary - 14 for 106m The roar live blog best and fairest: 3 - Matt Parcell - worked tirelessly all night, played the full 80 making plenty of tackles, and had to hold the Manly middle together all night. The halves didn't offer too much tonight and Parcell played well for mine 2 - Shaun Kenny-Dowall - the best of a beaten side. Had the most runs of anyone on the park, bagged 2 and played an all-round great game 1 - Jackson Hastings - Controlled the game well, kicked amazingly and basically played the game as the only half for the Roosters. They were unlucky not to win tonight
S.L Craven
Guest
I'm a mighty Sea Eagles tragic - but even I am amazed.
Chui
Guest
Your opinion. They've been terrible. STOP. Just stop telling people what to post
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Cheers for the call Jarrod. Good to see such a huge personnel change still result in a win. Lawrence and Taupau welcome additions next week.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Pencil Souths in for a win at Brookvale next weekend. Almost impossible to win on back-to-back four day breaks.
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Manly win, I have no idea how, no DCE for the last 15, they couldn't hold the ball, but they win here 22-20 WOW!
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Politis' money went to waste tonight. Horrible officiating. Someone check on Muzz.....
Jarrod McGrouther
Roar Guru
80' Last play, Taufua cleans up a loose pass and manly WIN THE GAME Roosters - 20 Manly - 22