Manly Sea Eagles showcased their prowess with a remarkable 28-18 victory over the Dragons at WIN Stadium, marking a strong performance even after the departure of Anthony Seibold. Reuben Garrick electrified the game with a stunning 85-metre try straight from kick-off, demonstrating the team’s ability to execute long-distance plays that Seibold had instilled during his tenure.
Following a try by Tom Trbojevic, the Dragons restarted the game through Jason Saab, who deftly passed to Garrick, leaving him uncontested as he dashed to the try line. Despite a lacklustre challenge from Dragons’ Valentine Holmes, Garrick increased Manly’s lead to 16-0 within the opening 17 minutes, prompting Fox League commentator Andrew Voss to describe it as a “hammer blow” to the Dragons.
The Dragons, already under immense pressure, witnessed further injury woes as winger Christian Tuipulotu, who had previously received treatment for a knee issue, had to leave the field. In an alarming start, Garrick not only scored early in the seventh minute but also capitalised on a pass from Saab, who cleverly redirected the ball back after leaping over Tuipulotu from a Jamal Fogarty kick.
After Garrick’s first try, Trbojevic added another by making a dummy run close to the line and slipping past halfback Kyle Flanagan. The Dragons’ troubles escalated when Moses Suli required an HIA due to a stray boot, while Jake Trbojevic also exited with an eye injury.
Despite their setbacks, the Dragons fought to recover, with Luciano Leilua scoring after a quick tap near the line. Commentator Voss noted the embarrassment for Manly after allowing the Dragons to regain momentum. Jacob Liddle soon crossed the line, narrowing the deficit to 16-12.
As half-time approached, the Dragons appeared close to equalising, but a dropped ball by Setu Tu over the line denied them the chance. The second half saw Tu manage to score early, momentarily lifting the Dragons into the lead, as Voss remarked on their surprising comeback.
However, Manly rallied in the latter stages of the game, with tries from Kobe Hetherington and Lehi Hopoate sealing the match and reaffirming their dominance. This victory hints at the resilience of the Sea Eagles, despite the ongoing struggles faced by their opponents, the Dragons.