Head to Head Overall
Manly: 70
Canterbury: 60
Last time they met – Semi Final, 2014
Sea Eagles 17. Tries: Blair, Hodges, Stewart. Goals: Lyon 2/3. Field Goals: Cherry-Evans 1/1
Bulldogs 18. Tries: Mitch Brown, Sam Perrett, Corey Thompson. Goals: Trent Hodkinson 1/2 Lafai 1/1. Field Goals: Trent Hodkinson 2/2
The Semi Final clash between Manly and Canterbury was a match made in heaven for the NRL faithful. It has become a mini-rivalry in its own right with some ex-Manly players and Coaches now running around in the blue and white.
Manly would have to do without iron-man hooker, Matt Ballin, who remained optimistic for making the clash, however, was unable to recover from his fractured fibula he sustained in round 25.
The Bulldogs raced out to 16-point lead inside the first 20 minutes, with Manly’s defence looking very vulnerable, however Canterbury were unable to add to this lead and against the run of play Manly scored a sneaky try through Hodges.
The second half started with high intensity with neither side giving an inch and it took some brilliance from Brett Stewart to give Manly a sniff.
With ten minutes to go it was calamity at the back for the Bulldogs, when hooker, Michael Ennis fumbled a, Kieran Foran banana kick. The mistake allowed winger, Cheyse Blair to pick up the pieces and level the score but unfortunately for Manly captain, Jamie Lyon was unable to convert to give them the lead.
The game then saw two field goals. Trent Hodkinson put the first one over and was then followed by opposite number, Cherry Evans, who cancelled out Hodkinson’s first.
But, it was not to be for the Northern Beaches outfit, with former Manly number seven Hodkinson, slotting the match-winner three minutes in to Golden Point, to send the Sea Eagles packing in straight sets.
Last five meetings between the sides.
5th April 2013 – Sea Eagles 20-18, ANZ Stadium
14th June 2013 – Bulldogs 32-30, Brookvale Oval
6th June 2014 – Sea Eagles 32-10, Brookvale Oval
4th July 2014 – Bulldogs 23-16, ANZ Stadium
20th September – Bulldogs 18-17, ANZ Stadium
General Stats
The Sea Eagles edge the Bulldogs with a 51.1% win rate.
The Sea Eagles have lost their last two matches against the Bulldogs, but have won the last two games versus them at Brookvale.
Manly’s biggest victory over Canterbury was way back in 1954. The score was 45-7.
The Bulldogs biggest win was 56-24 in 2003.
The last time these to played one point separated them, with the Bulldogs winning. The first ever game between these two sides in 1947 was also decided by a point with the Sea Eagles getting the win.
Both side lost their opening round and bounced back last week.
Brett Stewart only needs three more tries (149) to break the all time Sea Eagles record of 151, currently held by Steve Menzies.
The Bulldogs forward pack is an average weight of 110kg and Manly’s is slightly behind on 104.2kg.
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