Cherry-Evans lands the winning field goal for Manly and the Sea Eagles secure their place in the finals in the most dramatic of circumstances here, beating the Warriors 22-21.
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Final score
New Zealand Warriors 21
Manly Sea Eagles 22
The Manly Sea Eagles are still in danger of missing out on finals football and need to beat the struggling New Zealand Warriors to keep their premiership dreams alive. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm AEST.
A couple of months ago, Manly were being touted as premiership dark horses courtesy of a winning run and form renaissance mid-season that had put every team on notice.
Since a heavy defeat to the Dragons over a month ago, the Sea Eagles have been unable to recover their mojo, suffering poor defeats to the Melbourne Storm, Wests Tigers and Canterbury Bulldogs.
As it stands, Manly are clinging to a top eight birth and face a tricky assignment against a Warriors team welcoming back Shaun Johnson.
Although New Zealand’s finals hopes were erased several weeks ago, key players such as Johnson and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck will be keen to build some form ahead of October’s Rugby League World Cup.
The Warriors will also be desperate to end a seven-match losing streak and finish the final two rounds of the season with back to back wins heading into 2018.
Whatever the case, a high scoring contest awaits between two talented but inconsistent sides who still have a lot to work on defensively.
The biggest concern for Manly involves their inability to keep opposition teams at bay. Even the Bulldogs, the worst attacking team in the competition, managed to put Manly to the sword last week, which speaks volumes about the Sea Eagles’ troubles without the footy.
Prediction
If Manly are unable to muscle up in defence, the Warriors are a worthy shot of causing an upset and ending a dreadful winless run. If Manly can click into gear however, the Sea Eagles should have New Zealand covered.
Sea Eagles by 6
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm AEST
BigJ
Roar Guru
Warriors blow it again, bloody hell the biggest disappointment of the year
Renegade
Roar Guru
Yep, gone
Emcie
Roar Guru
So raiders are completely out of contention now?
Marshall
Guest
Not high hopes of that lol
Tom G
Guest
I definitely take back the DCE being on holidays comment from earlier.. just a pity it took him so long to impose his class on the game.... his great leadership has taken them into the semis this year. I just hope that they show this heart to start against Panthers next week... my heart couldn't cope with another finish like that!
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great game to watch. Manly too good in the end and DCE gets them home.
Alan
Roar Guru
Join me now for Panthers - Dragons. The Dragons must win now to stay alive...
Duncan Smith
Guest
The Warriors are the dumbest team around. Kicking the ball out from kickoff with 3 minutes to go! Idiotic.
Joe
Roar Rookie
They actually still can make the 8 if they win both games and either the Cows or Manly lose next week as they have the best for and against of all three.
Alan
Roar Guru
Cherry-Evans lands the winning field goal for Manly and the Sea Eagles secure their place in the finals in the most dramatic of circumstances here, beating the Warriors 22-21. The Warriors competed well and looked to have secured the win when they led by 7 points with 5 minutes remaining. Tom Trbojevic scored a late try to keep Manly in the game before Cherry-Evans once again kicked a clutch field goal to force golden point. From there, Manly were composed and Cherry-Evans sealed a remarkable win with yet another field goal that allows Manly to secure a remarkable victory over the Warriors. With this result, the Raiders season is officially over and the Dragons now must defeat the Panthers this afternoon to stay in touch with the top eight. Overall, a terrific result for the Sea Eagles ahead of a final round clash against the Panthers. The Warriors tried hard but yet again, fail to close out a match they should have gone on to win. Another painful lesson in a painful season for NZ. Warriors 21 Manly 22
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Guest
Wow - hats off to DCE - brilliant kick - great game . Thought Warriors had it won with a few minutes to go but Manly didn't give up. They deserve to be in the finals after that.
Joe
Roar Rookie
What a win by Manly. That was as close as it gets but DCE gets them home with the field goal to complete an amazing comeback win. Great game, Warriors were right in it but Manly too good in the end when it mattered. And now we're down to 9!
Tom G
Guest
That'll do me.... Manly can just thank the Warriors pressing their second half self destruct button
eagleJack
Roar Guru
DCE! No surprises they start to play when their season was on the line 7 points down. They need to play like that from the outset. They have it in them.
Marshall
Guest
What a way to lose my 'Dragons to make top 8' bet. Unbelieveable. Classic bad beat
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Manly will be in field goal territory again at the end of this season. First half of extra time coming to an end... FIELD GOAL SEA EAGLES ITS ALL OVER MANLY WIN! FULLTIME Warriors 21 Manly 22
Alan
Roar Guru
Warriors back with possession. Goodness me. Raiders players can't bear to watch this surely... Warriors 21 Manly 21
Alan
Roar Guru
83' - Manly in field goal position....do or die... Warriors 21 Manly 21
Alan
Roar Guru
Have to back Manly in here surely... Warriors 21 Manly 21
Alan
Roar Guru
What a dramatic second half here as we head into golden point. A match with huge ramifications for Manly, Dragons and Raiders fans. Like I said earlier, a draw ends the Raiders season and it would end the Dragons season as well if St George Illawarra LOSE to Penrith. A draw against the Panthers would keep the Dragons season alive given their superior differential. GOLDEN POINT KICKOFF Warriors 21 Manly 21