Match Report: NRL Round 8 vs Panthers

The Sea Eagles got off to a bright start scoring their opening try in the fifth minute after being awarded back-to-back penalties. 

The team's right edge clicked into gear for the first time after Panthers‘ centre Casey McLean was put on report for a high tackle on Tom Trbojevic.

In the next set Reuben Garrick stormed onto a short-ball from Haumole Olakau’atu, cutting a sharp line from outside in, to put his side up 6-0 after as manly minutes.

Manly enjoyed by far the better field position in the opening 15 minutes with their right edge attack causing the Panthers plenty of problems.

The Sea Eagles’ second try included a sublime touch from Tom Trbojevic in his first game since Round 4. 

Again, it was a right side raid with Olakau’atu feeding Turbo, who barely had time to put his finger prints on the ball so quick was his tap-on to Tommy Talau, who crossed in the corner.

Garrick landed the sideline conversion to put Manly up 12-0 at the 20-minute mark.

Penrith continued to give away penalties close to their own line and the Sea Eagles added an extra two points from in front of the sticks after repeated ruck infringements.

The Panthers were reduced to 12 men seven minutes before the break when Scott Sorensen was sent to the bin.  The Penrith forward made contact to the head of Nathan Brown who bringing the back back at speed from the restart.

The Panthers continued to pepper Manly’s line leading into half time, but the Sea Eagles goal line defence held firm to be up 14-0 at the break.

The Panthers were first to score in the second half when five eighth Blaize Talagi caught Manly’s markers napping and dived over from dummy half. 

The try came in the 45th minute and the set after a questionable 40/20 call that seem to favour the home side.

The Panthers were in again five minutes later after repeated set restarts on the Sea Eagles line, with Izack Tago on the end of a quick shift to the right.

The Panthers went close to taking the lead in the 54th minute after back-to-back high tackle penalties carried them into Manly’s red zone.  

Replacement hooker Brad Schneider burrowed his way over from dummy half only for the Bunker to overrule, with replays showing the ball had not been grounded.

The Sea Eagles missed an opportunity themselves minutes later when left centre Tolu Koula coughed up possession with a two-on-one chance just metres out from the Panthers line.

Manly were fighting hard to hold their 14-10 lead and claw back momentum when Siua Taukei’aho was sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge.

A few minutes later referee Belinda Sharp pointed both hands skyward again, this time sending Paul Alamoti to the bin for a professional foul.

The Panthers winger tackled Cherry-Evans without the ball preventing a possible try after a break through the middle by Jake Simpkin and a neat kick in behind the line from Turbo.

Garrick slotted the penalty goal from in front to put his team up 16-10 with 18 minutes to play.

A few minutes later Manly gave themselves a little breathing space when Olakau’atu collected a DCE bomb.

The right edge second row outleapt fullback Dylan Edwards, collecting a perfectly waited kick to score.

With 12 minutes remaining the Sea Eagles were in again when left centre Koula decided to pop up on the right, showing blistering pace to slice through the Panthers defence. 

It was a gutsy win by Manly which ended a three-game losing streak ahead next weekend's well-earned bye round.