The Sydney Roosters have compounded further misery into Manly’s disastrous season, recovering from a slow start to hold out for a 22-20 win at Allianz Stadium.
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Final score
Sydney Roosters 22
Manly Sea Eagles 20
Round 9 of the NRL season continues as the Sydney Roosters take on the Manly Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:10pm (AEST).
Both these sides will be desperate for a win after last-start losses.
It seems a long time since Anzac Day but, to refresh your memory, the Roosters were well beaten by the Dragons by 24-8.
After the addition of a number of high-profile recruits over the offseason, the Roosters were expected to give the premiership a real shake in 2018. At four wins and four losses, it’s clearly not curtains yet, but they need to start winning more often.
It seems like a lot of attacking responsibility sits on the shoulders of Cooper Cronk, with Luke Keary and James Tedesco still learning how to play with their halfback. With no changes to their 17, maybe that learning will occur today.
Manly have lurched from one disaster to the next in 2018. Salary cap breaches, injuries, stories of player in-fighting, and now rumours that Trent Barrett may leave have all taken their toll, with four losses in a row after a solid start.
It doesn’t get any easier with Lachlan Croker out for the rest of the yera with an ACL injury. The performance of Dylan Walker at five-eighth will go a long way to deciding whether the Sea Eagles will be competitive.
Prediction
Recent history supports the Eagles, with Manly winning four of the last five clashes and the last two at Allianz. However, I can’t see history repeating here.
The Roosters will be itching to play, given their long break since Anzac Day, and they will be far too good.
Roosters by 20.
Adam
Guest
Argh, and I just remembered the missed conversion from right in front, in a game lost by 2 points!
Pickett
Guest
I'm pretty sure there was no reply of that disallowed try by Nein
Pickett
Guest
Yep -Radly penalised for 'high shot' on Tapau, Tapau does the same to Tedesco moments later and nothing - Goal line drop out for Easts even though ball went out dead before touching Tedesco's chest - Fergo no try - countless penalties against Easts while they're defending their try line - pentlaty for strip against Easts - no replay from Ch Nein so who's to know whether strip or dropped ball by Manly, just like what happened to Hargraves moments later yet he was judged to have dropped it What was the penalty count anyway? I could swear Manly seemed to be camped on our line with penalty after penalty to them.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Yes 9 presuming you are talking about the Luke Quiry pass to Ferguson who split the gap?
Soda
Guest
Here's a talking point neither teddy or turbo look like they are playing for that Blues Jersey.
Nat
Roar Guru
Talking Akuila up. There's method to the madness ;)
Adam
Guest
If Trbojevic holds the ball those times, they probably win. But the Walker knock on and forward pass calls both ways in scoring positions... man... it's a roll of the dice whether they call them. I also thought it was disgraceful how play was held up twice Ina row on the Roosters line when Manly had a roll on, the refs really need to blow their whistle then get out of the game in that position. And terrible decision to kick by DCE at the end there, they were looking dangerous when they spread it and ran. But I just can't take watching Manly this year. They can't get any luck, and they don't hold it in crucial situations to make their own luck.
Tom G
Guest
This standard of officiating is pathetic. Manly aren't making life easy for themselves as it is without being handicapped by inexplicable refereeing. Hopefully better result when they are at home against the Broncos next week at SUNCORP!!!!! Pure genius management!,
David Holden
Roar Guru
Yes, that was poor
Scott Pryde
Expert
Good call David, The Roosters really needed to make a statement here after last week. They don't look much chop at all. Brave effort from Manly. Talking points up!
David Holden
Roar Guru
The Roosters have got home tonight by 22-20. In the end, Manly made too many errors and the Roosters defence in the second half, when Manly were on the attack, was good. For the Roosters, they will take the 2 points but will know that more improvement is required to mix it with the top teams this year. Manly looked dangerous in the second half but dropped ball curtailed their chances. Trent Barrett will take comfort in knowing this side is competing well and a few less mistakes might have got them the 2 points today. What did you think of the game, Roarers?
jimmmy
Guest
Manly fans should get behind this team . That was full of spirit . LAcked a bit of composure and made a few dumb errors but really put in today.
Pickett
Guest
Not 9
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Disappointing, but pleased with the effort. 11 errors are the problem. You can’t build pressure if you release the valve with such consistency. Young squad, hope this is building character.
Emcie
Roar Guru
damn it Nat! What the hell are you doing?!?
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Refs have backed themselves into a corner with this match. That final play should have been a penalty to Manly considering they called an "escort" earlier. Neither of them were penalties, but you can't call one and let the other one go.
David Holden
Roar Guru
FT Roostters take a couple of tackles and they have held on. Full Time Sydney Roosters 22 Manly Sea Eagles 20
David Holden
Roar Guru
80' Kick from DCE on last and Manu has made a great take Sydney Roosters 22 Manly Sea Eagles 20
Stu
Guest
I thought it looked ok at first look but it was forward. When a teams attacking right to left (on tv) the forward passes from the top of the screen to the bottom dont look as bad
David Holden
Roar Guru
79' Taukeiiaho has pushed pass to Tedesco who knocked on. Manly have to go 80 in a set Sydney Roosters 22 Manly Sea Eagles 20