Match Report: NRL Round 9 vs Panthers

The Sea Eagles clawed their way back from a 12-6 half time deficit to lead 16-12 before the Panthers scored what was to be the eventual match-winning try on the hour mark.

Manly got off to great start and opened the scoring with just their fourth set with the ball. A clever short side play followed a repeat set close to the Panthers’ line which resulted in Tolu Koula sending Clayton Faulalo crashing his way to the line.

The Panthers hit back moments later with their first attacking set on the Sea Eagles’ goal line. 

A run-around play involving Nathan Cleary saw five-eighth Blaize Talagi get out of Joey Walsh’s tackle to level things up at 6-6.

Manly were dealt a blow in the 13th minute when Kobe Hetherington was forced from the field for a HIA after a tackle on Isaah Yeo.  The assessment was deemed category one with Hetherington not to return.

The Panthers looked to be on their way to a second try in the 27th minute but the raid down Manly’s left edge was called back for a forward pass.

A few errors by Manly presented the Panthers with an easier than normal passage downfield, and they made the most of the opportunity.

A fumble by Haumole Olakau’atu on a Panthers’ short kick on the last tackle was soon followed by the Panthers’ second try of the match which gave them a 12-6 lead at the break.

A shift to the right with a cutout pass from Cleary sent Brian To’o over in the southwestern corner. Cleary converted from the touchline to end a frenetic and evenly contested first half.

Manly opened the scoring in the second half with Ethan Bullemor backing up on the inside to score his first try of the season which put his team level at 12-12.

The raid started with a silky ball from Walsh which sent Olakau’atu on a charging run with Bullemor there to finish it off.

Manly’s next try was also pretty to watch and put the Sea Eagles in front 16-12.

Walsh, making a fist of his first NRL starting appearance, was again involved combining with Luke Brooks on a wide shift to the left with Koula giving the final pass for Hopoate to cross in the corner.

The Panthers hit back on the hour mark when replacement Isaac Tago poured through a hole off a Dylan Edwards’ short ball which Cleary converted to put the Panthers ahead 18-16.

The Panthers were reduced to 12 players in the 64th minute when Jack Cogger was sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Koula. Koula was forced from the field for a HIA, which he passed.

A mistake by Hopoate bringing a kick out from his own in-goal almost resulted in a try to Cleary but the Panthers half was held up by some desperate Manly defence.

Manly captain Jake Trbojevic was then called back for a forward pass when put through a hole by Nathan Brown as the Sea Eagles continued to fight for the win.

It was a frenetic final five minutes with the Panthers clinging to a two-point lead and Manly reverting to some desperate creativity in attempting to snatch victory.

With one minute on the clock Walsh attempted a two-point field goal from outside the Panthers’ 40 metre line which would have taken the game to golden point.

Sadly, for Manly, with both teams out on their feet, Joey’s kick didn’t have the legs.

The Panthers held on to claim their eighth win from nine games this season.

While the result brings to an end Manly’s four-game winning run, as coach Kieran Foran summed up, it was an effort the boys can be mighty proud of.

The Sea Eagles return to what will surely be a sold-out 4 Pines Park on Saturday 9th May to face the Brisbane Broncos in Round 10.