A question. Could a busted Sea Eagles team, decimated by injury, lift for ‘Des the mad scientist Hasler’ one more time and send the men from the insular peninsular into the most unlikely of preliminary finals?
After the inflammatory mid-week comments from Sam Burgess around the NRL judiciary system and the impressive performance by the Sea Eagles against the Sharks in week one of the finals, many saw a potential Des-driven upset in the offing at ANZ Stadium on Friday night against South Sydney.
For Manly, it was to prove so close yet so far.
South Sydney started well and tries to Alex Johnston and Cody Walker in the opening 15 minutes sent Wayne Bennett’s team to a 10-0 lead, with the bit parts Manly side looking unlikely to threaten the Rabbitohs on their home turf.
Walker and John Sutton were brilliant on the left edge for the first try, while Damien Cook and Cam Murray combined well for the second.
Somewhat expectantly, the ever resilient Sea Eagles did what they have done consistently over the past month and refused to succumb.
Brad Parker crashed over on the left edge from a deft Dylan Walker pass in the 18th minute and after an Adam Reynold’s penalty goal for the Bunnies in the 23rd, Corey Waddell found the line for the Sea Eagles to bring them within two.
At 12-10 Cody Walker was sent to the sin bin for another foolish and irresponsible act that continues to blight his game and the Sea Eagles capitalised in the 36th minute when Daly Cherry-Evans scored after superb work down the right side from Moses Suli.
After Reuben Garrick’s conversion, the Sea Eagles took an unlikely 16-12 lead and the hopeful/prophetic words emanating from north of the Sydney Harbour Bridge appeared to be taking a physical form.
It took a late try from Cam Murray in the final minute of the first half to restore South’s lead. Against the run of play; it sent the cardinal and myrtle into the sheds with a slim and precarious 18-16 lead.
Podcasts of Des and Wayne’s half time addresses would be worth their weight in gold for those looking to forge a career in NRL coaching, with the final message so vital for both teams as they took to the field with their seasons on the line.
(AAP Image/Dean Lewins)
It was Manly who would take the early initiative in the second half when Suli scared the heck out of Dane Gagai for the umpteenth time and strolled across to score a compelling try.
The Sea Eagles 20-18 lead was short lived and the northerners were pushed well and truly up against the wall when Brad Parker was sent to the sin bin. His infringement saved a try yet saw the Bunnies draw level at 20 after a penalty goal to Reynolds.
Again, the resiliency of Manly was on show. Despite being down to 12 men, Jack Gosiewski scored off a perfectly weighted kick and the Garrick conversion sent the Sea Eagles to a potentially match winning 26-20 lead with just 22 minutes remaining.
Soon after, Jake Trbojevic held back a South Sydney player to commit himself to a stint of ten minutes in the sin bin.
That was the only invitation required by the Rabbitohs to make their stand. Sutton blasted his way across the line to score before Murray scored his second try and Reynolds extended the lead to 32-26 with his conversion.
The brave Sea Eagles effort appeared to have been extinguished with just five minutes remaining.
A late penalty after a Manly shot clock infringement sealed the deal and the final 34-26 score line sends the Rabbitohs down the highway to take on the Raiders next weekend.
Frankly, they need to be far better than they were against the Sea Eagles. Bar the late sin binning of Trbojevic the result may have been different, especially considering the earlier 10 minutes given to Parker.
The Bunnies advance, yet the Raiders will be licking their chops at the prospect of facing Souths on their home deck.
As for Manly? Nothing more needs to be said other than well done. For a side often tipped for the wooden spoon, Des Hasler moulded his troops and took them deep into the finals.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
As a Manly fan I still don't believe any one is on the take and will only do so if the evidence comes forward but I'm also clear that Manly has lost 3 out of the last 4 finals encounters including the 13 GF and the kindest thing I can say about the refs and co is the opponents got the clear "rub of the green'' in the losses. No doubt at all about it. Thurston isn't lying when he says the Cows had possible finals wins denied by wrong calls or lack of the rub of the green. The one win in 4 wasn't influenced by the refs. I won't be apologising if we get a few things go our way in the finals over the next few years.
chris
Guest
I was at the game and it was something along the lines of Manly couldn't believe they might get away with a win. For us Souths fans it was like...its only a matter of time before we win this one. Hence the different levels of crowd enthusiasm. Souths were pretty ordinary and allowed a just as ordinary Manly side stay in the game for long periods. Souths will need to lift big time next week. But..they've been doing it all season so we shall see.
chris
Guest
I'm enjoying reading your posts Insider. I'm sure it hurts but theres always next year. Or the year after that.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It’s not inaccurate. Of course a referee influences a result - when have they not? How could they not? The change is the hysterical “refs cost us the game” during and after every game The crusher tackle rule needs reviewing. They need to be stopped but the rule is not quite right yet. Players know it and are playing up to it
The Barry
Roar Guru
That is the only reason I have that as my avatar. We can’t post pictures here. It’s indisputable as far as I can see that Jurbo grabbed his jumper Forty Twenty is notoriously quiet when he’s over a barrel.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s exactly right In the current climate, if you make a good tackle and then decide to start rubbing your hands over your opponent’s face or pull his air or whatever, you’re letting your team down There’s no need. It doesn’t put anyone off their game. No one gets a facial and thinks “I’m worried now I better steer clear of that guy” Literally no good can come from it
Randy
Roar Rookie
"he admit that Gagai fell because Jurbo ran behind him and by accident clipped his boot" well there it is, the proof that Rugby League fans just see what they want to see and are incapable of being objective observers.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I’d like a preview of the the script for Canberra and Souths.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Or to not be seen committing a professional foul ;)
Andrew
Guest
I am still trying to work out how Souths won that game. They strung together passes twice in the first half and managed very nice tries. The rest of the time they were clunky. Manly getting no penalties in the second half doesn’t help but I don’t think refs are to blame. Canberra fans must be trying hard to remain calm because they simply shouldn’t lose to that Souths team at home. They will never have a better chance to make a grand final.
Ben Pobjie
Expert
A man who does not wish to be sin binned for a professional foul always has the option of not committing professional fouls.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Here's a thought... STOP giving away penalties! Especially as a cynical means to reset your defensive line.
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
It was an entertaining game last night, and rather exciting which is what you want from a final. Manly were not robbed, and all this hoopla about the refs deciding the game before kickoff is laughable and insulting to the poor blokes in the middle. I said last night, and still feel today that Jurbo getting binned was the wrong call, penalty absolutely, but not a bin. At some point people taking a dive has to be factored into the equation. Souths deserved the win. They fought hard, never gave up and just kept coming. If Manly had of not butchered at least two tries then it could have been a different result. But they did, and it wasn't. Good luck to Souths next week.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I missed that but a friend sent me pics this morning. It is not dangerous just stupid and totally unnecessary. In light of the on going Burgess dramas (both Sam and George) I'm incensed that the Rabbitohs are that stupid that they would still be dumb enough to go anywhere near the face. Right now Souths are public enemy number 1 for this sort of thing and the MRC and judiciary are itching for an excuse to make Souths pay. The Bunnies need to show some bloody brains and cut that crap out, NOW! Otherwise they are just killing ANY chance of winning the premiership this year.
R J
Guest
Absolutely. It was a bit of a mess both sides and Manly were guilty of plenty of errors. As a neutral I enjoyed the game tbh but wow ... the reffing was a farce. Even Johns said the players didn't decide the game ... see 2m15s: https://mobile.twitter.com/NRLonNine/status/1175020566832533504?s=09
R J
Guest
You're absolutely right. Apologies to Cookie.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
I think Souths played poorly and probably didn’t deserve to win. Gee they seem to drop a lot of ball, particularly Gagai. For Manly, what a improvement from last year. DCE easily the best half in the NRL this year.
rayner
Roar Rookie
Lots of one-eyed bias in that post. Rub of the green? No mention of the penalty try not give, of the ball strip called a lost ball, constant offside by Manly all night and the 20/40 given to Manly that wasn't. And it was a slap.
Pet
Guest
Oh well, You can't get Greg Hartley every year ????. Feel so sorry that Manly feel ripped off NOT :silly:
Peter
Guest
Forty Twenty, have a look at The Barry’s current avatar and then come back and tell us that you couldn’t see the hand pulling the jersey and the hand on the shoulder. If you still say you can’t I have some blue cheese from the moon to sell you.