The Sea Eagles run of six-straight games without a loss came to an end on Friday Night, going down to a strong Brisbane Broncos outfit in a high-scoring affair.
Manly started the game with near perfection after Riley Travers scored crashing through the defensive line, and Will Pearsall setting up Nicholas Lynn with a great short ball to have the 12-0 after only seven minutes.
The early period dominance was unfortunately as good as it was going to get for the Sea Eagles with the Broncos responding with a try of their own after a few fortunate deflections from a grubber kick to bring the scores back to 12-6 after 15 minutes.
Broncos centre Tom Opacic set up the next two tries for his team, the first coming from a break 30m out to set himself up under the posts. The second coming off another strong run from Opacic with an off-load setting the Broncos up in the corner, to take the score 18-12.
The Broncos then ran over the next 3 tries of the game in a dominant 30 minute period to lead 32-12 after 50 mins.
Manly’s defence lifted in the following 10 minute period to deny the Broncos from further extending the lead, with some superb goal-line tackles. Finally presented with some opportunity with the ball the Sea Eagles showed they weren’t out of the contest yet with Rhys Armstrong crossing the line with a strong carry through the defensive line.
Another try shortly after brought the scores to within 8 points and with a great fight back on the cards for Manly, the Broncos all but took the game away with the next two tries to lead 44-24.
But as so often happens in the NYC, the points just kept coming. Leonati Feiloakitau scored off the back of a great set of six by the Sea Eagles, and a further try from Fullback Charlie Taylor gave a sense that the impossible was about to happen.
But that’s where the scores would remain with the Sea Eagles unable to recover from a horrid middle period to end their six game unbeaten run.
