Penrith have piled on four late tries in an eight-minute burst to fight back for an incredible 28-24 win over Manly at Lottoland.
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Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 24
Penrith Panthers 28
The Penrith Panthers are looking to revive their top-four hopes when they take on the Manly Sea Eagles at Lottoland. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 3pm (AEST).
The Panthers have lost four of their last five matches, including a loss at home to Manly just four weeks ago. They can’t afford another loss today if they want to stay in the running for a double chance in September.
The Sea Eeagles have little to play for except pride after a disappointing 2018 campaign that has seen them compile a 5-13 record.
Both teams are coming off big losses last week. The Sea Eagles were belted 56-24 at home by the Roosters, while Penrith were thumped 50-18 by the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.
Panthers coach Anthony Griffin has made a few changes to his line-up this week in search of a winning formula. In the backs, versatile utility Tyrone Peachey will play fullback in place of injured young gun Jarome Luai. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak returns from injury and reclaims his wing spot from Christian Crichton.
In the forwards, Corey Harawira-Naera has been named to start, with Trent Merrin dropping back to the bench.
Manly coach Trent Barrett has five-eighth Dylan Walker and winger Jorge Taufua returning from injury, replacing Tom and Matt Wright respectively. Backrower Shaun Lane has also been named in the starting line-up, with Frank Winterstein dropping back to the bench.
Prediction
The Panthers have everything to play for and that should see them return to the winners’ list.
Penrith by 10.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 3pm (AEST).
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
EJ, just arrived home from Cyclone Panther...I’m still blown away. Haven’t the stomach to put the tele on.
Renegade
Roar Guru
They just scored 4 back to back tries... What were the contentious calls?
Big daddy
Guest
All 6134. Worst supported team in NRL. Average crowd at Lottoland this season is 8000.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Gotta be a fix
eagleJack
Roar Guru
It’s going to be tight. Eels, Dogs, Manly and Cowboys all having disgraceful seasons.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me on this afternoon’s coverage, hope you enjoyed it. Feel free to leave your comments on the game.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Match report PENRITH 28 MANLY 24 Penrith have piled on four late tries in an eight-minute burst to fight back for an incredible 28-24 win over Manly at Lottoland. The Panthers had played poorly and were down 24-6 with 13 minutes to go, before conjuring up an escape act that keeps their top-four hopes alive. Josh Mansour scored the first try in the comeback after the Panthers swung the ball wide and he was on the end of a great ball from Waqa Blake. Four minutes later, Isaah Yeo charged onto the ball from close range to score and reduce the deficit to 24-16. The Panthers then scored in the restart set when second-rower Viliame Kikau put Waqa Blake away and he scored under the posts. That made it 24-22 with seven minutes to go. Then in the 75th minute, Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic lost the ball on his own line in a Viliame Kikau tackle and Nathan Cleary was on hand to pounce and score the winning try. Earlier, Manly had lead 8-6 at half-time after a lacklustre first half. Penrith scored the first try of the match in the 26th minute when they decided to take a tap and go for a try after getting a penalty near the posts. They swung the ball wide and centre Dean Whare showed his speed and determination to get the ball down in the corner. Young Manly hooker Manase Fainu later showed good footwork to score from close range just before half-time to give the Sea Eagles the lead at the break. Manly then scored the first three tries of the second half to take a commanding lead. Their first came after centre Brian Kelly beat a tackle on halfway and raced thirty metres before drawing Panthers’ fullback Tyrone Peachey to put skipper Daly Cherry-Evans over under the posts. Five minutes later, Kelly scored the first of his two tries for the match after Tom Trbojevic chimed into a backline move and fed him a great ball. Kelly was in again five minutes later when he grounded a Tom Trbojevic grubber millimetres from the dead ball line. Penrith looked to be at long odds to win the match from there, but they somehow managed to get a crucial two points. Sea Eagles’ fans will be scratching their heads at how they let this one get away.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Losing like that at home is pretty much unacceptable
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
The players would have deserved it to be fair.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Can't blame the refs for that debacle of a last 10 minutes for Manly
Tom G
Guest
Not for a second Penrith were very poor and looked shot ten minutes to go and then got a hell of a lot of weird decisions during the last few minutes, several of which led to tries even the winner
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
I wonder if Manly's supporters were hurling abuse towards their own players again like last week
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Barrett should really consider abandoning his sinking ship now. Take up an assistant coaching role at another club and bide his time until another head coaching opportunity presents itself.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
Another step closer to Manly's first ever wooden spoon
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Manly needs to dock the players pay from the past two games. Show them you need to put in effort to get paid, just like any other job.
Adam
Roar Guru
I think you mean manly gifted them the game? By allowing 4 tries in 6 minutes
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Jeez - Manly players and supporters must be gutted.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Full-time Peachey takes a bomb, the hooter sounds and its victory for PENRITH! MANLY 24 PENRITH 28
John Coomer
Roar Guru
79’ Taupau down injured for Manly, they’re still in possession 30 metres out with 30 seconds to go. MANLY 24 PENRITH 28
John Coomer
Roar Guru
78’ Changeover to Manly after Penrith are caught on the last 10 metres out from the Manly line. Last throw of the dice. MANLY 24 PENRITH 28