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Five things we learned from Sea Eagles v Warriors
By Martin Lenehan
July 16, 2016
THE Sea Eagles overcame atrocious conditions in Perth to produce one of their best efforts of 2016 to beat the Warriors 15-14. Here’s the 5 things RLW learned:
1. Manly may have had a disappointing season but they are coming home strong.
The Sea Eagles were coming off a big win over the Dragons and backed that up with a gutsy golden point win over a desperate Warriors outfit. Manly were a perfect 18 from 18 sets in the first half and then tackled themselves to a standstill after the break as the Warriors came at them hard. Trent Barrett has plenty to work with in 2017.
2. The Trbojevic boys will be at the heart of a Manly revival.
Just how good are these two boys? Fullback Tom and back-rower Jake are absolute superstars of the future and will one day play Origin together for the Blues. Tom has electric speed and carved up the Warriors for Manly’s first try. Jake is one of the game’s best defenders and produced the match-winning play when he charged down a Shaun Johnson field goal attempt in the 84th minute and dived on the loose ball to give Manly field position for DCE’s winner.
3. Tui Lolohea must be well and truly offside with coach McFadden.
How on earth can the Warriors coach explain the fact that one of his most dynamic players sat on the bench for the entire game and only got on the paddock in extra time? What a complete waste of a player who can break a game open with his speed and power. Maybe Tui just doesn’t like playing in the rain!
4. The Warriors will be sick of golden point games.
After losing a heartbreaker to the table-topping Sharks three weeks ago, the Warriors again came up empty in the lottery that is golden point. After wasting several golden chances in the second half they managed to draw level thanks to an Issac Luke penalty goal in the 75th minute but once again it wasn’t the Warriors’ night as Trbojevic’s chargedown and DCE’s cool finish put a halt to a charge that had seen them win four of their past five matches.
5. Brad Parker won’t forget his debut in a hurry.
The young Manly winger had some hairy moments in the trying conditions but when his team needed him to stand up in defence and bring down a rampaging Beast he did the job magnificently. Parker did not take a backward step up against Manu Vatuvei and he’ll have fond memories of his front-on tackle which cut the big man down in the second half. And a big rap, too, for another youngster – Bunty Afoa was elevated to the starling side for the first time for the Warriors and produced two barnstorming tries on the right edge as his team fought back from 12-0 down to draw level after 30 minutes.
Sea Eagles 15 (T.Trbojevic, Taufua tries; Lyon 3 goals; Cherry-Evans field goal) beat
Warriors 14 (Afoa 2 tries; Luke 3 goals).