The Manly Sea Eagles have come out of their crucial Round 26 game with a thumping 16-point win over the Penrith Panthers to confirm their spot in the NRL finals.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 28
Penrith Panthers 12
The NRL finals have come a week early for the Manly Sea Eagles when they host the Penrith Panthers at Brookvale. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Sea Eagles enter their final game of the regular season equal on points with the Panthers and Cowboys ahead of them, but their for and against has left them in eighth position.
A win will not only qualify them for the finals but give them a ‘home’ elimination match in Week 1. A loss, however, leaves them needing the Canterbury Bulldogs to beat the St George Illawarra Dragons, who sit in ninth, on Sunday afternoon at Homebush to qualify.
The Panthers, on the other hand could drop as far as eighth with a loss, meaning they would face Cronulla next week. If Penrith lose by at least 37 points, they could also miss the eight. It’s still possible for the Panthers to finish fifth as well if they won and the Sharks lost against Newcastle.
The equations at play mean there is plenty on the line, but the Sea Eagles have had high stakes games for the last few weeks and simply haven’t risen to the occasion.
They have looked flat and fatigued more often than not and it was only some late brilliance from Daly Cherry-Evans which got them out of trouble with a golden point win over the New Zealand Warriors last week.
Their defence had been lacking somewhat, with Trent Barrett’s men conceding 30 points against both the struggling Tigers and Bulldogs in the fortnight before last week.
As always, Cherry-Evans is the key man for the Sea Eagles, but he needs the forward pack to work to it’s potential. Curtis Sironen returning will be a boost for the club, but Frank Winterstein and Martin Taupau must pull their weight.
The Panthers, despite not being able to miss the eight have plenty to play for and won’t want to go into the finals on the back of two straight losses.
They fell to the desperate Dragons in Wollongong last week by two points, but before that were on a sensational winning run, which had catapulted them from the bottom four not so long ago. Despite all the wins, the Panthers never looked to be playing at their best, and it’s something they need to turn aorund if they want to make a dent in September.
The wins have constantly come against lower-ranked opposition, and while you can only play what’s in front of you, there’s a feeling the Panthers could have dominated a lot more.
In a blow to Penrith’s chances, young fullback Dylan Edwards will miss the game with Dean Whare to play, while Matt Moylan is still not confirmed for a return.
At Brookvale, Manly have won a staggering 29 of 41 games against Penrith.
Prediction
I’m still not convinced by either team, but I just don’t know that Manly can turn their form around. Desperation does funny things, but not enough here.
Panthers by 1.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of this crucial Round 26 match from 5:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Wild Eagle
Guest
The gun players in a team used to be the centres and it was a great position to play but these days it is a very difficult position defensively and in attack few of them can break the line like they used to. Kelly is a little bit unique in attack in that he has the potential to break the line by himself and hopefully he can become more consistent in other areas. An under recognized aspect of his game in my opinion are his ball skills which are first class. I wonder if he will become a five eight? I doubt if he is relaxed as he appears as we all show nerves in different ways.
Tom G
Guest
Neither just observant
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I know there were plenty on the GC who were devastated when Kelly left. They earmarked him as a long term rep centre. He has an abundance of talent. My issue with the young man was the article written about him being so relaxed that he has naps in the change room. That's all well and good but it seemed to be translating onto the field. But last night was different. He was committed, playing like his life depended on it. He was in the face of his opposite constantly, and his carries were strong with a strong grip of the ball. Gone were the lax runs that resulted in errors. To be the best you need to push yourself to he next level. Not simply rely on the talent given to you that got you through the juniors. Last night we were introduced to the real Brian Kelly. Good luck to him
Wild Eagle
Guest
Great work to Brian Kelly. He was declared to be a reserve grade dud by many of the self declared experts on the Silvertails forum. Don't worry Brian you are in fine company. Bob Fulton , Trent Barrett and Api Krousai along with half the team have been declared to be duds at times during the season. Anyone who couldn't see Kelly's rookie year talent at the start of the season has no idea. That talent is imbeded in him despite some low points in a tough year.. Not many players have his ability to beat their opponent like he does and hopefully he can kick on from here.
Wild Eagle
Guest
Trouble is bad decisions like this did cost teams wins during the season. DCE has thrown numerous passes like this during the season which have rightly been awarded as tries. That's why he was signed to a huge long term contract. The beauty of a flat pass is that it give the runner maximum advantage to break thru and it is diabolical for it to be called back. A captains challenge is the only way to give the team a chance to fix these bad decisions. The first All Blacks game featured a try from the Wallabies from an apparent very forward pass yet when they replayed it they found that it started backwards and spun forward markedly.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It's a talking point that won't be a talking point given it had zero impact on the result. But it is one of the most bizarre decisions of 2017. Manly earned themselves a repeat set only for the touch judge to say Manly were offside. I rewound it straight away (missing the last try) as it made no sense. Sure enough Wright was well behind Trbojevic when he kicked he ball. So then I thought maybe someone was offside at the play the ball? Nope Lussick was right on the try-line at the start of the play. It screamed of a predetermined call from the touch judge. The same guy who disallowed Walker's try for a "forward pass" from DCE. I honestly don't know how these guys keep their jobs.
Nambawan
Guest
Can anyone inform me what the last penalty to Penrith was for? I have looked at the replay several times and cannot see any Manly player offside! The penalty of course cost Manly the last try after they had been strongly attacking the Penrith line
danwain
Guest
Well you clearly changed your comment to not sound like a Queensland conspiracy theorist, or maybe not, the truth is out there
Tom G
Guest
When it's obvious tinfoil isn't necessary
danwain
Guest
Take the tin foil hats off
Scott Pryde
Expert
» Click here to read the full match report Thanks for joining me this evening on The Roar for our live coverage of the 2017 NRL season as the Manly Sea Eagles booked their spot in the finals and the Penrith Panthers hung onto theirs. Right now, it's time to jump across and join Ben Talintyre for the Storm and Raiders as Cameron Smith plays his 355th game to equal the record and Cooper Cronk plays his final regular season game in Melbourne colours. Bye for now.
Tom G
Guest
Inexplicable penalties in the last five minutes put Panthers into the semis? Great Manly performance... Brian Kelly had his best game in a Manly' jumper
danwain
Guest
The only thing pathetic is this comment
Scott Pryde
Expert
Right then, before I sign off and get cracking on a match report, this is what the finals now look like. 1st qualifying final: Melbourne Storm vs Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park 2nd qualifying final: Sydney Roosters vs Brisbane Broncos at Allianz Stadium 1st elimination final: Cronulla Sharks/Manly Sea Eagles vs North Queensland Cowboys/Penrith Panthers at TBC 2nd elimination final: Manly Sea Eagles/Cronulla Sharks vs Penrith Panthers/St George Illawarra Dragons at TBC Option 1 on the elimination finals is if the Bulldogs win. Option 2 is if the Dragons win that crucial game tomorrow. Manly and Cronulla can also swap around if Cronulla lose to Newcastle by 22 points.
Uncle
Guest
Wow, channel 9 and the nrl got lucky with the last 15 mins of this game. Lucky you can't question the integrity of professional sports
Luke Smith
Guest
That's the NRL ensuring the Sydney team goes to the finals at the expense of the Qld team! Same refereeing decisions were designed to ensure the Roosters got a home semi at the expense of the Broncos! Pathetic!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Ha.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on the match Roarers?
Big Daddy
Guest
Boy did the panther's need that. Now the cowboys are sweating on the doggies. Its a little like big j in supporting different teams.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME So then, Manly with a dominant performance to beat the Panthers. They took the game away in the first half, continued it into the second half and had the Panthers' finals spot under pressure, but a couple of consolation tries have saved them. Tom Trbojevic was sensational, the Manly defence was just about perfect and they will take plenty of confidence into the finals based on that, while Penrith go into the finals on the back of two straight losses. Manly Sea Eagles 28 Penrith Panthers 12