Manly’s aspirations for a finals berth have suffered a significant setback following Reuben Garrick’s shoulder injury during Sunday’s match. The incident occurred midway through the first half when Garrick awkwardly fell after a tackle, which resulted in Wests Tigers player Jarome Luai being penalised for high contact. Although Garrick attempted to continue playing, he eventually had to leave the field at Allianz Stadium.
Sideline reporter Matt Russell provided insights on Garrick’s condition, stating, “He heard a crack, and the shoulder felt unstable.” This troubling news casts doubt on his immediate future in the sport.
Fortunately for the Sea Eagles, they had Tommy Talau ready to step in as a like-for-like replacement. However, the team is already facing challenges, missing key players like Jake Trbojevic and Haumole Olakau’atu as they strive to secure a place in the top eight.
In the match itself, Manly began strongly with Tolu Koula showcasing impressive speed, slicing through multiple defenders to score. Andrew Voss of Fox League hilariously described Koula’s run as “like a runaway shopping trolley.” Unfortunately, this early lead was short-lived, with Adam Doueihi, in good form, swiftly levelling the score with a try and conversion of his own. Jeral Skelton then pushed the hosts ahead just before halftime, successfully scoring in the corner, again thanks to Doueihi’s accurate sideline conversion.
As the Sea Eagles navigate these injuries amidst a crucial stage of the season, their focus will be on recovering quickly and rediscovering their winning form in the face of adversity.