Sea Eagles Smash NRL Premiers
25/02/2006
By Manly Sea Eagles
The Sea Eagles out classed the reigning NRL Premiers at Brookvale today with a resounding 8 tries to 3 victory.
The Tigers started strongly catching the Manly backline out numbered with just 3 minutes on the clock. It wasnt the start that the Sea Eagles wanted but it didnt take long for the Sea Eagles to muscle up and really start working over the Tigers forwards.
As the half wore on the Sea Eagles got plenty of field position but the new combination of Orford and Monaghan were struggling to find any gaps in the Tigers defence. It took 31 minutes for Manly to get one back when a nice step by Orford put Anthony Watmough in for a try just wide of the posts. A scuffle broke out after the try with Watmough being sent to the sin bin. Orford converted and it was 6 all with 8 minutes remaining.
From the next set of six the Sea Eagles received a penalty and began attacking the Tigers line. Kylie Leuluai used all his strength to power over from close to the line and Orford converted from almost the same position as the previous try.
It was a beautiful day at Brookvale, but not the most ideal for playing football. A hot summer afternoon and a very strong north easterly was causing havoc for both sides. The Sea Eagles didnt receive a great advantage from the wind, however the Tigers definitely suffered, notably when their short kick off sailed out over the sideline on the full.
With the wind at their backs the Tigers certainly had the advantage in the second half but it was to be all Manly in the second half.
Steve Matai scored just 3 minutes in after Brett Stewart held up a beautiful ball for centre. Bryant followed up for the Sea Eagles just 32 minutes later as the big front rower had enough strength to take some defenders over the line.
The Tigers came back shortly after when Scott Prince scored a soft try, wiggling out of what appeared to be a try saving tackle. Prince had troubled the Manly defence but really missed Benji Marshall alongside him.
Hodgsons conversion got the Tigers back within 8 but with 20 minutes remaining Steve Matai scored his second for the Sea Eagles. Orford missed his 3rd conversion hooking it to the left of the posts and retired the kicking duties to Williamson.
5 minutes later it was Matais wing man Paul Stephenson who got the gold. Stephenson found himself unmarked near the halfway line and out sprinted his defenders to cross 12 metres in from touch. Luke Williamson moved in for the kick and even though the ball swung around in the breeze it went over the black dot beautifully.
The heat was starting to get to the players and the Tigers defence lost its intensity. The Sea Eagles were making plenty of yards and finding half gaps in the Tigers line. One minute after the previous conversion Hicks broke the Tigers line and sprinted 50 metres to score. Williamson converted from in front and the Sea Eagles had got away to a 34-12 lead.
2 minutes later the Sea Eagles really put the knife in. JP Cherry kicked on the last, 40 metres out. The kick was a shocker and went right across field for Hicks who was relatively uncontested for the ball. Hicks then basketballed it over the defence to Williamson who broke the line, stepped inside, drew Hodgson and found Cherry in support just 5 metres from the line. Cherry took it under the post and giving Williamson an easy kick from in front.
The Sea Eagles were on a roll and Hicks almost scored his second as he chased down a kick and grounded the ball as the Tigers winger waited for it to go dead. Unfortunately the ref had no hesitation in ruling Hicks offside and the crowd was none to impressed.
The Tigers finished the match with a consolation try to Robbie Farah and conversion to Hodgson.
For a first full run as a team, Coach Des Hasler must be very happy. The forwards were all very strong, with the two bench props scoring tries and George Rose getting a run late in the match. Watmough, Menzies and Kennedy are back for 2006 and their combination will no doubt be one of our great strengths this season.
Paul Stephenson may have done enough to get back his spot on the wing with Matai, Bell and Hicks all performing well also.
We will all wait with great interest to see what Des does with the Halves and Hooker combination. The game started, Dunley at nine with Orford and Monaghan in the halves. When Dunley went off Monaghan went to hooker and JP Cherry came on at 5/8. Both combinations seemed to work well for the Sea Eagles, and tries came with both combinations. However its not as simple as that, Matt Ballin had a great game in Premier League so there is plenty of pressure on all these guys.
Across the park it was a great result for the Sea Eagles, it will give the team great confidence as they head into the first round match against the Raiders in two weeks.
