NRL LIVE: Manly on verge of huge upset after star's first try of season

The Sea Eagles’ season is back on track after a 26-20 win over the Storm at 4 Pines Park in a shock upset.

Manly led 26-14 with nine minutes left after Reuben Garrick knocked over a penalty goal, but had to survive a frenetic Storm comeback attempt.

Melbourne scored to make it 26-20 and then had three straight sets on the Sea Eagles line, but the home side held their nerve to record a deserved win.

MATCH CENTRE: Sea Eagles vs Storm, scores, stats, video

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It was a much needed-win from Manly who entered the Storm clash on a three-game losing streak.

Fullback Lehi Hopoate was terrific in his debut match, running for 121 metres and recording two try assists.

The Storm looked nothing like the side who thrashed Parramatta 48-16 five days ago at Magic Round, with unforced errors and poor execution plaguing their game.

Despite a error-riddled first half, they only trailed 12-6 at halftime.

Manly lock Jake Trbojevic scored his first try of the season to give the Sea Eagles a 18-6 lead in the 50th minute.

The Storm trimmed the margin back to four after a Nick Meaney converted try and penalty goal.

However, when Sea Eagles centre Tommy Talau crossed for his second, Manly led 24-14 before a Reuben Garrick penalty goal made it 26-14 with under 10 minutes left.

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MATCH PREVIEW

The injury ravaged Sea Eagles will aim to get their season back on track when they host the Melbourne Storm at 4 Pines Park.

Manly have lost three on the bounce, and things don’t get easier for them here, as they face off against a Storm side who dismantled Parramatta 48-16 in Magic Round last weekend.

The Sea Eagles will start their third different fullback in three weeks after injuries to Tom Trbojevic (hamstring) and Tolutau Koula (shoulder). This opens the door for 19-year-old Lehi Hopoate to make his NRL debut.

The eighth child of former Manly star John, Lehi is set to become the fifth Hopoate sibling to play first grade (NRL or NRLW).

Winger Jason Saab also returns from injury, as does Nathan Brown. The veteran forward was in terrific form this season before missing time due to a quad injury.

Coach Anthony Seibold was in the news this week after it was reported he stormed out of a meeting with the club’s powerbrokers amid a breakdown in negotiations over a new contract.

The Storm will be missing star playmaker Cam Munster for two months after he re-aggravated a groin injury, however Melbourne will be boosted by the return of halfback Jahrome Hughes (calf).

Hughes will partner Storm’s Mr. Fix-It Tyran Wishart in the halves.

TEAMS

Sea Eagles: 21. Lehi Hopoate 2. Jason Saab 3. Tommy Talau 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Raymond Tuiamalo Vaega 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Karl Lawton 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Gordon Chan Kum Tong 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Nathan Brown 18. Aaron Woods

Storm: 1. Sualauvi Faalogo 2. William Warbrick 3. Reimis Smith 4. Nick Meaney 5. Xavier Coates 6. Tyran Wishart 7. Jahrome Hughes 8. Tui Kamikamica 9. Harry Grant 10. Christian Welch 11. Shawn Blore 12. Eliesa Katoa 13. Josh King 14. Trent Loiero 15. Grant Anderson 16. Nelson Asofa-Solomona 17. Alec MacDonald 18. Bronson Garlick