Hopoate elbow overshadows Manly victory:
He has spent the last ten years living by the sword and surely on Wednesday night he will die by the sword of the judiciary. Controversial Manly player showed that his reputation is more than media hype after he callously cannoned into Sharks player Galloway with forearm cocked in the 30th minute of the Sea Eagles clash with Cronulla at Brookvale Oval today.
The incident came in the 30th minute with the Sea Eagles comfortably leading the Sharks 24-0 and threatened to turn the game on its head. Hopoate sprinted out of the defensive line, launched himself at Galloway with his elbow connecting with Galloways head. Galloway was carried from the field on a stretcher with his neck in a brace and Hopoate walked to the dressing sheds for hopefully the final time in his ill-fated career.
Surely even the staunchest of Hopoate advocates (and theres not many of those left) will now welcome the final curtain on a pantomime that has included frequent sledging, many send-offs, bottom poking and a number of disgraceful acts which culminated in todays final disgrace.
Up to that point Manly had played with a power and majesty not seen for many years. The game began with Cronulla conceding back to back penalties and Manly half back sliding through lazy defence to score in the fourth minute.
In the 13th minute Monaghan took a clever option, kicking on the 4th tackle for Anthony Watmough to collect and score. The try was referred to the video referee who adjudged that the timing of the kick was perfect, Watmough in line with the kick as it was put through.
Manly received the ball back and marched upfield again with the help of another penalty. Monaghan helped himself to another try by cutting through on the right hand side. The Brookvale crowd were in raptures again in the 22nd minute when Monaghan popped an offload to Brett Stewart despite the attention of four defenders. Stewart scorched his way to the tryline and Witt pilated his fourth conversion over the sticks for a 24-09 scoreline.
Manlys cruise control and the Brookvale crowd volume were violently turned off by Hopoates madness. Aitken crossed in the 31st minute immediately after the send off to open the Sharks account. In the 35th minute Sullivan put Luke Covell into space. He went close to the sideline and the put-down looked marginal but the video referee ruled that he had stayed in play and put the ball on the edge of the paint for the try. He was unable to convert his own try.
Seconds before half time the Sharks released Vagana down their right hand side for another try and the teams went to oranges with Manly leading 24-16 but with all of the momentum going the way of the visitors.
Early in the second half the Sea Eagles stormed their way up field off the back of another cheap Sharks penalty, the drive culminating in Monaghan completing his hat trick after sliding through next to the posts in the 42nd minute.
In the 53rd minute referee Simpkins sent Ryan McGoldrick to the sin bin after losing patience with repeated tackle infringements by the Sharks. The Sharks were constantly looking to slow the Manly play the ball down, a sign that Manly had the upper hand with the go-forward of their pack. Cronulla captain Peachey was marched for back chat and Dunley made the most of the indiscretion by carving his way to the line. A Witt conversion made it 36-16 in favour of the Eagles.
Cronullas discipline deserted them completely. They were off-side from the kick off and gave Manly another shot at the line. The Eagles crossed again when a Menzies kick through was fumbled by David Peachey and dotted down by Anthony Watmough. The Cronulla skipper again exchanged pleasantries with the referee and was sent to the sin bin for his troubles. Witt converted as Peachey trudged from the field.
Manly again looked dangerous but a turnover saw the Sharks streak up field and Simmonds eventually crossing for a try. Sharp shooter Covell missed the conversion from a useful position.
In many respect the next try will be bittersweet for Manly fans. Brilliant captain Steven Menzies crossed for his 150th career try (right in front of the Jye Mullane Stand). However, what should have been a day of celebration for a man who has always personified professionalism, dignity and grace will more likely be remembered for the final act of a man who played much of his career alongside a champion in Menzies without learning any of what it was that makes him great.
Monaghan was the hero of the match, scoring three tries and setting up many of the others. However he limped off the field with fifteen minutes to go and there will be some concern that he recovers in time for next weeks blockbuster encounter with the other team on top of the table the Melbourne Storm. Hill didnt return in the second half after tearing his hamstring in the team warm-ups. There must also be some concern over the hands of Brent Kite. He made several knock ons a throw back to the early part of his career where his ball handling was seen as a liability.
Perhaps the game was best personified by an the final few seconds. Dunley was put on report for an illegal tackle on David Peachey. Peachey lashed out at Dunley and an all-in brawl was only narrowly avoided. It was an unnecessary way to conclude an ugly afternoon. Manly ran out convincing victors 46-20 but all attention will now be on the fate of Hopoate. Hopefully its a case of good riddance, and no thanks for the memories.
