In an otherwise triumphant match for Manly, who secured a resounding 40-12 victory over the Raiders, the day was marred by a significant injury to prop Taniela Paseka. Around the midway mark of the first half, Paseka fell to the ground during a tackle, prompting referee Grant Atkins to notify the Bunker about a potential Achilles injury. Medical staff quickly assisted him off the field, raising concerns about the severity of the injury.
The repercussions of Paseka’s injury were emphasised by commentators, with Warren Smith expressing disappointment for the player and the club, while Greg Alexander underscored Paseka’s importance to the team’s structure, suggesting that if the injury was an Achilles rupture, it could mean the end of his season.
Indeed, following the match, it was confirmed that Paseka had ruptured his Achilles, necessitating surgery scheduled for Monday. Coach Anthony Seibold conveyed his disappointment, highlighting how crucial Paseka has been as the club’s starting front-rower and the impact of his absence on the team.
Despite the loss of Paseka, Manly showcased their strength in the game, launching an offensive barrage following Corey Horsburgh’s sin binning. This incident allowed Manly to score 24 points in quick succession, with standout performances from Ethan Bullemor, who scored two tries, along with Reuben Garrick and Jake Simpkin, each contributing a try to push the score to 30-0 by half-time.
Garrick not only opened the scoring for Manly but also completed his hat trick with two more tries in the second half. Meanwhile, the Raiders managed to score consolation tries through Sebastian Kris and Hudson Young, but Manly’s dominance was undeniable.
Looking ahead, the Sea Eagles will face off against the Eels next Sunday, while the Raiders will prepare to battle the Cowboys on Saturday.