Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 36-6 loss to minor premiers Melbourne Storm at Lottoland tonight in round 24 of the Telstra Premiership.
In front of a crowd of 14,640, the Sea Eagles lost full-back Tom Trbojevic with a possible pec injury in the ninth minute and then prop Morgan Boyle with a shoulder injury in the second half.
The Storm opened the scoring in the sixth minute when winger Josh Addo-Carr finished off a play on the left side to score near the posts. Hooker Cameron Smith converted for a 6-0 lead.
The Sea Eagles then lost full-back Tom Trbojevic to a possible pec injury in the ninth minute.
Melbourne went to a 10-0 lead when centre Justin Olam ran off a cut out pass from Cameron Smith to score out wide. Smith converted for a 12-0 lead after 20 minutes.
The Storm went to a 16-0 lead when prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona slammed the ball down with one hand to score near the posts. Smith converted for an 18-0 lead after 31 minutes.
The Sea Eagles got on the board when prop Taniela Paseka crossed for his first try of the season when he ran off a great pass from half-back and captain Daly Cherry-Evans. Winger Reuben Garrick converted for an 18-6 scoreline after 37 minutes. The score remained that way to half-time.
The Sea Eagles suffered another injury setback when prop Morgan Boyle left the field with a right hand injury in the 52nd minute.
Melbourne went to a 22-6 lead in the 54th minute when Olam scored his second try off a pass inside from Addo-Carr. The try was not converted.
Smith then kicked a penalty goal to give the Storm a 24-6 lead after 60 minutes.
The Storm then lost centre Will Chambers to the sin bin in the 69th minute after being placed on report for a high tackle on second-rower Jack Gosiewski.
Melbourne went to a 28-6 lead after full-back Ryan Papenhuyzen dived over in the right corner. Smith converted for a 30-6 lead with six minutes remaining.
Olam crossed for his hat-trick in the 78th minute in the left corner. Smith converted for the 36-6 scoreline.
The loss leaves the Sea Eagles in fifth place on 30 points heading into the final round against the sixth-placed Parramatta Eels at Bankwest Stadium next Friday night. Kick-off 6pm.
