Manly faced a challenging defeat against the Warriors, losing 36-16 in Auckland on Friday night, despite scoring two controversial tries. The first came from Jason Saab, who appeared to drop the ball as he crossed the line for Manly’s second try in the 46th minute. However, the Bunker upheld the try due to insufficient evidence proving otherwise.
The Warriors quickly responded, with hooker Wayde Egan extending their lead. Manly’s captain, Daly Cherry-Evans, faced a tense moment as he awaited a review of his own try. It came from a remarkable play involving Reuben Garrick, who salvaged a high chip from Saab and flicked it back to Cherry-Evans for a close-range score. Despite questions about Garrick’s foot potentially being on the line during the play, the Bunker ultimately awarded the try.
The Fox League commentary team, led by Steve Roach, applauded the impressive teamwork displayed but expressed doubts about Garrick’s position. ‘Wow, what a sensational play,’ Roach said, although he later remarked on the potential foot-in-line controversy.
Discipline issues plagued Manly in the second half, culminating in Jake Trbojevic receiving a red card. The Warriors’ Roger Tuivasa-Sheck also added to the scoreline, while Manly struggled without key players Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic, both of whom left the field due to injuries. Coach Anthony Seibold confirmed that Cherry-Evans was experiencing back spasms and Trbojevic had “tightness” concerns.
As the game approached its conclusion, Luke Metcalf capped off the Warriors’ emphatic performance with a try in the dying moments, solidifying their dominance in the match. Despite the efforts from Manly, including their controversial tries, it was the Warriors who left the field victorious, showcasing a powerful attacking display throughout the game.