It was a case of one win and two losses for Sea Eagles teams across the weekend.
Telstra Premiership
An unbelievable second half blitz saw the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles crush the Gold Coast Titans 56-24 in an incredible afternoon at Cbus Super Stadium.
And the game’s premier player, Tom Trbojevic, led the way with another powerhouse performance, scoring three tries to record his third hat-trick for Manly, and his second against the Titans. He also recorded three try assists, two linebreaks, three linebreak assists, 174 run metres, and 23 runs.
The Sea Eagles scored two first half tries through Trbojevic but a 100 per cent completion rate and a weight of possession saw the Titans pile on five tries to lead 24-8 at half-time.
However, any nervous tension amongst the Sea Eagles supporters in the crowd of over 14,000 was quickly erased. What followed in the second half will be remembered, and spoken about, for a very long time.
The Sea Eagles ran in an incredible nine second half tries in 40 minutes. Yes, nine!
Here is a breakdown of the amazing second half tries:
- Jason Saab 43'
- Reuben Garrick 45'
- Jason Saab 52'
- Reuben Garrick 55'
- Reuben Garrick 57'
- Tom Trbojevic 60'
- Reuben Garrick 63'
- Haumole Olakau'atu 71'
- Daly Cherry-Evans 74'
Winger Reuben Garrick entered the Club’s record books with four tries in a match to join some elite company in Bob Fulton, Ken Irvine, Russell Gartner, and Steve Menzies (twice) as players to achieve this feat.
The club record for most tries in a match stands at five, set by Les Hanigan against Cronulla at Brookvale Oval on May 14, 1967.
Lightning-fast winger Jason Saab scored two tries to make it 13 tries in 14 games in his first season at Manly.
The victory was extra special for milestone men, Daly Cherry-Evans (250 games) and Dylan Walker (150 games). Cherry-Evans couldn’t hide his smile as he crossed for a well-earned try.
As for the crowd, a special shout out to the Manly members and supporters present. The chant of ‘Maannnly, Maannnly” roaring around the stadium was an incredible sound and certainly not lost on the players. It once again defuncted the myth that ‘Manly fans don’t travel’.
NSW Cup
The Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles lost 26-12 to the Newtown Jets at Henson Park in a match played in wet and cold conditions.
The Sea Eagles crossed for tries to wingers Tolu Koula and Christian Tuipulotu. Koula has now crossed for four tries in four games for the Sea Eagles in the NSW Cup after moving up from the SG Ball side. Koula is enjoying his first season in Manly’s NRL squad after only completing his HSC at Newington College last year.
A player with tremendous speed, Koula played full-back for Manly in the Club’s 2018 Harold Matthews premiership winning team and has played SG Ball for Manly for the past three seasons.
The loss to Newtown leaves Blacktown Workers in 10th position.
Jersey Flegg
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles went down 18-16 to the Cronulla Sharks at 4 Pines Park after the scores were locked at 12-all at half-time.
Both teams scored three tries each with Gordon Chan Kum Tong, Aufaga Autagavaia, and Charlie Thompson crossing for the Sea Eagles. Half-back Jamie Humphreys kicked two from three goals.
The Sea Eagles remain in ninth place on the ladder.
Chan Kum Tong, Thompson and Humphreys have all stepped up from Manly’s SG Ball side that made the finals this season. Chan Kum Tong continues to develop into a fine, tough and skillful young hooker.
