The Wests Tigers and Manly Sea Eagles do battle at Campbelltown Stadium to kick off Round 24 of the NRL. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
In an extraordinary week of NRL drama, disloyalty and dishonesty, the players take to the field to get the actual football back underway in Round 24.
For the Tigers, the equation is simple. Win and keep their remote hopes of a semi-finals berth alive; pending the results elsewhere. They will need both New Zealand and Brisbane to stumble on the way home over the last two weeks and snatch all the points on offer themselves.
Even that may not be enough, with the for and against situation not looking that great for the black and gold at this stage.
It is a highly unlikely scenario but I guess playing early in the weekend could put some pressure on the other two, especially if the Tigers manage to put some points on the board.
No one really knows what Manly will produce tonight. With a departing and annoyed coach, an owner out for blood and a playing group seemingly shocked that their mentor will not be there to guide them in 2019, it could be a disaster.
The Sea Eagles could be a rabble but there can sometimes be a galvanising effect in such circumstances and that is what their fans will be hoping for in the West tonight.
It all points to a wild night at Campbelltown. One team desperate for a win to keep the dream alive and another playing amidst controversy, with football potentially, the furthest thing from their mind.
Prediction
Toss a coin on this one if the Sea Eagles actually turn up and compete. However, I am predicting they will be less than committed tonight and a Tigers’ side with plenty on the line should find a way past them.
Wests Tigers 28-18 Manly-Warringah Sea-Eagles
Catch all the action on The Roar, with live coverage from 7:50pm (AEST).
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
His half time talks consist of a hankie and a shoulder rub
tim
Guest
It wasn't and it didn't.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah it’s a recurring issue. 3 tries in 5mins after the break killed them tonight. The talent is there. But not the discipline. They need to fear the coach. And with that comes respect. It’s all a bit too chummy with Barrett for my liking. And as a result we see them drift in and out of games each and every week.
souvalis
Guest
Thought Manly had a real crack tonight but were let down by a couple of really poor individual errors at crucial moments...Fainu on Twal...goodness gracious,weakest attemptS at tackles you’ll ever likely to see..and the usual suspect..Kelly the walking error in waiting...Fonua Blake is getting better by the week,but cost his side 6 tonight..if you think it’s going to get any better with the coaches the media have suggested are in line your in never never land..
Tom G
Guest
If he is and you see him, please tell him to leave at half time. I don’t think I can handle the outcome of another of his magic half time talks!!!
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Wests Tigers have secured a vital two points in their quest for a semi-final place after a thrilling victory against Manly at Campbelltown Stadium. The result keeps the hopes of Tigers' supporters alive, although a larger winning margin would have given them even more hope considering the mathematical challenge before them. The first half was a lamentable affair, with neither team taking the ascendancy. Only a late penalty goal to Daly Cherry-Evans saw the Eagles take a slender 8-6 first half lead. Earlier tries to Esan Marsters and Cherry-Evans himself saw the scores level at 6-6. The second half, thankfully, came to life with tries to Chris Lawrence, Moses Mbye and Kevin Naiqama seemingly sending the Tigers to an unassailable 22-8 lead. However, late tries to Trent Hodkinson and Cherry-Evans brought to score line back to 22-20 in the Tigers favour and the game brewed to an exciting conclusion. In the dying minute and the final set of the game, Cherry-Evans had the chance to level the scores with a kick from the sideline on an acute angle. It fell sort of the mark and the Tigers prevailed. Manly played well considering the dramatic week that has surrounded the club and the Tigers live in hope of a final round miracle that sees them scrape into the finals next week. Final Score Wests Tigers 22 Manly Sea Eagles 20
Bob
Guest
Can't talk up the refs in this one. The second half forward pass was wrong, and decided the game.
Forty Twenty
Guest
Manly could really do with a winger who can score from 90 metres out. Turbo will be creating a lot of chances from deep in his own half over the next few years and if he can link up with someone with real speed it will make a huge difference. This isn't even close to Manly's worst ever roster so a spoon would be a bit ordinary but at times it's close to the slackest defence I've ever seen. It's going to be great watching Turbo in a well performing team , next year I hope.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I would think 4 or 5 metres short.
jeandetroyes
Guest
I really think Manly should take more away from this game than the Tigers. I thought they were they better team for 90% of the match and played some terrific football. DCE was sensational and surely cemented his spot as the Australian half back. The Trbojevic brothers weren't far behind. I want to like the Tigers, but (apart from a 5 minute spurt tonight) they just can't score any points. It's time to move on from Farah and Marshall. Still hope a miracle happens and they knock Brisbane out of the eight, though. BTW - thought the refs had a good match (acknowledging that borderline forward passes are always going to leave 50% of supporters unhappy). #talkuptherefs!
Tom G
Guest
Another week another 10 minutes of madness in defence and Manly lose again to a side that aren’t setting any comp alight. This Tigers side will do nothing in the semis.. if they somehow make it. They’ll be playing several sides like Penrith, Sharks, Storm and Broncos that Manly have beaten well this year. Try understanding that! Also try telling me the coach isn’t the problem. These guys have talent but are the most mentally fragile sports team I’ve ever seen. Everything points to attitude and preparation which is the coaches responsibility and poor old Trent is too busy getting mates not players
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Ill be at Suncorp next week. I hope Barrett isn’t.
Cantab
Guest
Jez, that kick looked close? Or was it well short.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time Thanks for being on board for the game tonight. Make sure you join in the blogs of the other matches over the course of the weekend. The match report will follow in ten minutes.
Wests Tigers: 22 Manly Sea Eagles: 20
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Oops
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Full Time The Tigers win despite a late comeback from the Eagles.
Wests Tigers: 22 Manly Sea Eagles: 20
Stuart Thomas
Expert
80' - The kick is short and the Tigers hold on.
Wests Tigers: 22 Manly Sea Eagles: 20
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
SHEEtT that was a good kick.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Penalty 80' - Penalty Manly on half way. It is right on the sideline. Surely not?
Wests Tigers: 22 Manly Sea Eagles: 20
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Higher chance of scoring a try than making this.