Match Report: NRL Round 14 vs Knights

The Sea Eagles looked to be cruising to victory, leading 16-nil at half time only to be run down in the 83rd minute.

Manly opened the match with what looked to be a beautifully worked long-range try in the 5th minute only for the bunker to rule that Lehi Hopoate had failed to ground the ball while forcing it in-goal.

In doing so, Hopoate’s head made heavy contact with the ground, ending his night with a category one HIA.

The reshuffle saw Tolu Koula shift to fullback with Ben Trbojevic moving to left centre, and Corey Waddell coming on at second row.

Manly’s opening try came in the 13th minute when Reuben Garrick left his opposite centre James Schiller in his wake, before sending Koula on his way to score his 9th try of the season.

Manly’s second try came off the back a solid carry and quick play the ball from Ben Trbojevic, with Toafofoa Sipley storming over from close range.

In his first NRL game since round 6, Sipley scored with his second touch, crashing over the top of both Kalyn Ponga and Jack Cogger, with Garrick converting from in front to make it 12-0.

Their third try came five minutes out from half time after a scintillating run by Koula, with Haumole Olakau’atu beating three players to score.

Garrick’s conversion attempt from just off centre hit the upright and missed to leave his team ahead 16-0 at half time.

The Knights got on the board early in the second half when Kai Pearce Paul broke through Manly’s left edge defence from about 30 metres out, finding Fletcher Sharpe there in support.

Tommy Talau tried hard to stop Sharpe from behind but took a boot to the head in doing so and was sent for a HIA.

The home side went back-to-back in the 55th minute when 19-year-old centre Fletcher Hunt collected a towering bomb, outleaping Clayton Faulalo to put his team just four points behind, down 16-12.

The Knights again caught Manly short on their left edge a few minutes later, and looked certain to score only for Schiller to make a mess of the ball inside to one of his four teammates there in support.

They then scored their third try in a row following a break down the eastern touchline by winger Greg Marzhew.

A sweeping play to the other side of the ground resulted in Schiller diving in to score in the south-western corner to level the score at 16-16 before missing the sideline conversion.

Manly had a great chance to score in the 67th minute only for Cogger make a desperate tackle on Garrick who was charging for the line.

A set or two later Manly scored their first try of the second half which came after a break through the middle from Faulalo.  Cherry-Evans was there in support but was pulled down from behind about 20 metres out from the goal line.

Next play, Talau stormed through the middle at speed to cross next to the posts and put his team ahead 22-16 with about 10 minutes to play.

Five minutes out from full time and the Knights once again exposed Manly’s left edge defence, Sharpe scoring his second of the night, finishing a play which started on the half way line.

Dane Gagai converted from just off centre to level the match at 22-22 with four minutes on the clock.

With just seconds remaining in regular time, Luke Brooks fired off a drop goal attempt but it sailed wide of the posts.

In the third minute of extra time Kalyn Ponga became the hero, scoring a try from his own bomb, which was batted down by Hunt, to steal a 26-22 victory,

The loss sees the Sea Eagles forgo possession of the Malcolm Reilly Trophy which was presented to the Knights at full time by Malcolm's son, Glen.

Next up is a trip to the Gold Coast to face the Titans next Friday.