There were controversial refereeing calls both ways and near misses, but above all heroic defence from a Manly team missing the likes of Brett Stewart, Jason King and Joe Galuvao.
Manly coach Geoff Toovey said it was not a fair result, pointing to the 10-5 penalty count against his side.
‘‘I can see things from 50 metres away and there are people down there who can’t see them,’’ he said in the post-match press conference.
Man of the match Kieran Foran was more diplomatic.
‘‘It’s very tough to come out here and give our all and come away without the win,’’ he said.
‘‘So many things happened and it’s difficult to pinpoint just one.’’
Melbourne fullback Billy Slater was penalised for a high tackle on Manly five-eighth Foran and skipper Jamie Lyon landed a second-minute penalty goal from in front.
It only took another five minutes for the visitors to add to their tally, halfback Daly Cherry-Evans bombing diminutive Storm winger Mahe Fonua.
Sea Eagles winger David Williams went up for it but the Steeden ended up in the hands of centre Lyon who dived over just inside the corner post. Lyon converted to make it 8-0.
The Storm staged some sizzling counter-attack in the 16th minute. Winger Sisa Waqa took an intercept a metre from his own line and raced upfield, with Cooper Cronk and Slater combining in a 65-metre movement.
A minute later, late inclusion Ryan Hinchcliffe pirouetted in a tackle and handed off to prop Bryan Norrie, who crashed over for what – from the stands – looked like a certain try.
Replays suggested a second option – that he lost it over the tryline.
But video referees Chris Ward and Luke Patten settled on a third scenario – that Manly fullback Peta Hiku had stripped the ball in-goal, meaning a line dropout against the Sea Eagles.
The Manly defence managed to hold out, however, and when a knock-on was called against the Storm 11 minutes later as they drove into Sea Eagles territory, Foran told referee Shayne Hayne “Thankyou Shayne, you’re getting all the important calls wrongâ€.
Despite the fact the comment could be clearly heard over Hayne’s mic, he said, “sorry Kieran, what was that you said? What was that?â€
The Storm were also frustrated at times, Ryan Hoffman exclaiming “Jesus Christ!†when the officials ruled Manly had not played at a ball which they propelled forward.
Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/rugby-league/league-match-report/manly-storm-fail-to-strike-gold-in-first-stalemate-20130520-2jx6u.html#ixzz2TpmppjHp
