Manly’s season is over after a dispiriting defeat on the Gold Coast, going down 44-24 to the Titans after a blitz on either side of half-time.
The Sea Eagles had to go 4-0 to finish the year but fell at the first hurdle, losing badly to a side that hasn’t won in 12 rounds and had conceded well over 100 points in their past three games.
“We didn’t play well. It’s as simple as that,” said Des Hasler. “It’s not like we didn’t come here with a chance, we certainly recognised that, but we didn’t do it justice today and that’s disappointing. The players know it too.”
The Titans were without Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, who was awaiting the birth of a child, but rallied to produce one of their best performances of the year.
Their well-documented defensive issues have gone nowhere, but they can be proud of the endeavour with ball in hand. They hadn’t scored 30 all season but managed 44 today.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Jason Saab’s also suffered a suspected ACL tear and will be out for the rest of the year and likely the start of next season. Dylan Walker might also miss a few weeks after a nasty high shot that saw him sent to the sin bin in the first half.
Des Hasler’s men did mount a late comeback, but the die was cast in the middle of the game: from the 20th to 60th minute, they had a third of the ball, made seven errors and conceded nearly a thousand metres.
There was always hope when attacking this fragile Gold Coast line, but it was on the other side of the ball that they struggled: several of the Titans’ tries were far too easy. The manner with which David Fifita battered Josh Schuster out of the way for one of them was laughable.
For their part, the Titans move to four wins – surpassing the 2021 Canterbury Bulldogs – and off the bottom of the ladder, with the Wests Tigers slumping to 16th place.
“I feel like the last few weeks we’ve been sort of working towards a performance like that,” said Justin Holbrook.
“But we had to put it together and we did that tonight. Really happy … we want to keep doing that now for the next three weeks.”
The Gold Coast had the worst possible start and Jaimin Jolliffe, brought into the starting team to replace Fa’asuamaleaui, enjoyed a hectic first five minutes.
He made an error of the first possession and had to watch on as he thought Manly had scored, only for the bunker to overrule and, soon after, find himself running onto a crash ball to open the scoring.
The Titans can’t be trusted to defend any sort of lead, however, and were soon back on terms. Foran, who will join the Gold Coast in 2023, was the architect, pulling a short side play that got Saab free, with the winger able to dump inside for Reuben Garrick.
The first half turned on an incident in the 20th minute, when Walker – who had only been on the field for mere seconds – was given ten minutes for a high shot. With the man advantage, Tanah Boyd was able to loft an excellent pass over Saab for Jojo Fifita to score.
Again, the Titans defence would falter. Jake Trbojevic had broken just one tackle in 20 games this year, but the charitable Gold Coast defenders somehow allowed him through to – just about – get the ball down.
The spirit of giving was in vogue, however: Daly Cherry-Evans attempted a long ball that should have had a bow on it for Brian Kelly, who returned it to the house.
The generosity from DCE went further, with an attempted short drop out flying well into touch to allow the Titans to lead 20-12 at the break.
Manly needed everything to go for them after the break, but got a shocker start. Cherry-Evans was pinged for an escort, gifting a full set in their own end, and then deflected a kick straight to Beau Fermor to make the lead yet larger.
The Sea Eagles looked less than interested. AJ Brimson stepped through some poor central defence before Fifita lined up Schuster in the line, swatted him out of the way and ran 70m to score.
Brad Parker pulled one back and, with ten to play, Tolutau Koula got another and Tof Sipley might have had another, but with the line begging, it was not to be. Fermor grabbed one late through more poor defending to cap off the result.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
In an ideal world Manly would be doing extremely well in the lower grades but the last time we won reserve grade was in 88. Players like the Stewart brothers , Matai , Jason King, Watmough didn't play in strong lower grade teams as far as I know and then played in first grade teams who were getting flogged but it didn't mean anything at all when it came to being exceptional 1st graders in every aspect. Have a look and see how many lower grade titles the Eels have won since 1986. None of that success has led to a title yet Manly have won 4 since then and played in maybe 8 or more GF's. Winning 1st grade titles comes in many different ways.
Justin
Guest
It’s a good idea to improve the defence. Like in every team. Are they going to have a new defensive coach next season. As they’ve been pretty much the same in defence for a couple of years. It’s always good to have very competitive lower grades. Means there must be plenty of talented players available, to push for first grade positions. Plus, when they do come through, they play with confidence as they’re used to winning. If you’re used to losing, you’ll most likely play that way , if you get a chance in first grade. Poor defence is a product of poor lower grade results & standards. So good lower grades should be a priority.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Improve the defence like the Cows did , get Turbo back and Schuster fit and there are no reasons why the team can't be back in the top 4 like they were last year. The lower grades aren't the best guide to 1st grade success. Manly have a much poorer lower grade record than the Eels who have dominated at times. Manly's under 21's couldn't make the finals in the early nineties but generated a team which won a title and played three grand finals in a row. Menzies , Gartner, Hopoate and Kosef are a few examples from that team.
Justin
Guest
What about gifting the Cowboys 2 points , when the game was all but finished . Seemed impossible to lose that game. What does Manly do next year? The 3 players taking $3.2 million from Manly’s cap. The NSW Cup team is way last & the Jersey Flegg team is 3rd last . Asked this before & no one has had a reply . Yet that’s a bad position to be in . How do they improve?
blahblah
Guest
Manly have got a serious culture problem. The guys who refused to wear the pride jersey have a lot to answer for in terms of how Manly's run home has panned out. Where's your head at when you can't abide same-sex love but your post-try celebrations honour a criminal like Manase Fainu? Grow up children and get your head in the game!
Nat
Roar Guru
This is just cheech 20.1 Tom. He doesn’t watch footy, just looks for reasons to make these absurd comments.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
In all probability it still would’ve happened but they didn’t need the officials butting in putting an asterisk next to it.
mushi
Roar Guru
Not Mike, but I’d think outside the mechanics (easier to bomb a drop kick than place kick) it’s the field position difference. I think you net more from the kick off and there’s probably a material expected points difference from starting on the 10m (outside a line break you’re unlikely to get an attacking kick) vs own 35m (likely an attacking kick with probably one run iside 20m) compared to attacking 40m or 10m where both will have attacking kicks and several attacking runs. Also I think there were stats suggesting you defend better when someone is inside the 10m versus the 10-30m (outside of a kick). They generally have less space and you can’t generate a backwards moving line and a line break on either is a try. So you might be outright better off defensively
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
It's been one of those years Tom. It's felt like we've been building up for a tilt at the title for a while now but last time we won , just about everything went right and now it's been years of plenty going wrong. Some bad luck and some bad management. The stage is set for Schuster and Turbo to lead us to some glory. It's not out of the question in my opinion.
mushi
Roar Guru
No side has worked harder and had a clearer plan for that spoon than the tigers!
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Don’t forget the two points gifted to the Eels by a massively lopsided penalty count. I think Dessie had more than a fair share of issues to battle this year, including a team whose heads immediately drop if things aren’t 100% going their way. He’s a great coach and has some ridiculously talented players but their mentality this year has been off for most of the year. I believe he’s the only bloke who has the ability to turn this around
Tom G
Roar Rookie
To attribute the failings of the club to that one incident is fanciful… they have been all over the place this year before and after… if it suits your narrative then suit yourself
DigdugBobcat
Guest
They've dug a hole for themselves is what I'm saying , and they deserve what they get for not only making a woke political statement, but the fact that they didn't consult the players prior to doing so.
astro
Roar Rookie
Hey Mike! Not sure if you'll see this comment, but wanted your thoughts on the short drop-out trend. It seems every team is doing this now, with varying degrees of success. Do you think these are the new norm? If so, why not do them on kick offs also? Any ideas of whether these actually work?
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Weird comment??
Tom G
Roar Rookie
It started before then. Easy to point to that incident but letting three tries in in three minutes a couple of weeks before is hardly the sign of a team with its act together
DigdugBobcat
Guest
Good to see as a club they are reaping what they sowed .
max power
Guest
explain this mysterious Manly DNA?
max power
Guest
both sides were really going nowhere anyway
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Joey Leischuster