Conceding three tries in five minutes led to the downfall of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at Suncorp Stadium tonight.
Leading 16-4 after 27 minutes, the Sea Eagles were playing some entertaining football before the Dolphins put on the three tries in three consecutive sets to take a 20-16 lead before going on to take a 30-24 win.
To make matters worse, the Sea Eagles lost winger Jason Saab in the first half with a shoulder injury and then superstar full-back Tom Trbojevic with a hamstring injury in the second half.
Manly were boosted by the return of second-rower Ben Trbojevic from a hamstring injury after three weeks out. The Sea Eagles went into the game missing Nathan Brown (hip flexor injury) and Lachlan Croker (concussion protocol). Karl Lawton started at hooker with Gordon Chan Kum Tong off the bench.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring with a try to winger Tommy Talau after good work by Daly Cherry-Evans and Ben Trbojevic for a 4-0 lead after 10 minutes.
Four minutes later, Dolphins lock Euan Aitken took an intercept pass off Cherry-Evans to cross for a 4-all scoreline.
Manly then lost winger Jason Saab to a shoulder injury as he attempted to ground the ball in scoring before a short kick from Tom Trbojevic saw second-rower Corey Waddell score for a 10-4 lead after 25 minutes.
Minutes later, Luke Brooks took an intercept pass to race downfield to link up with centre Tolu Koula for a 16-4 lead.
The Dolphins then hit back with three tries in five minutes through forward Connelly Lemuelu, full-back Trai Fuller, and Mark Nicholls to take a 20-16 lead into half-time.
Some brotherly love between Tom and Jake Trbojevic saw Tom cross for a converted try in the 52nd minute to give Manly a 22-20 lead.
A penalty goal to the Dolphins then saw the scores locked up at 22-all after 55 minutes before Garrick landed a 30 metre penalty goal for a 24-22 lead with 15 minutes left.
The Dolphins then took a 28-24 lead through a converted try to winger Jack Bostock. Immediately after the try, Tom Trbojevic left the field with a suspected hamstring injury.
A penalty goal to the Dolphins a minute out from full-time saw the home side take a 30-24 lead.
