NRL LIVE: Huge Sea Eagles blunder hands Dragons four-point gift
The Sea Eagles have secured a gutsy victory over the Dragons, losing several players in the first half before going on to win 30-14.
Shane Flanagan’s side were without Moses Suli after he suffered a pre-game hamstring injury, but his exile was nothing in comparison to Anthony Seibold’s woes.
Taniela Paseka suffered a finger injury and Reuben Garrick copped a head knock, ruling that pair out in the first half.
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MATCH CENTRE: Sea Eagles vs Dragons live scores, stats
Meanwhile, both Toafofoa Sipley (knee) and Corey Waddell (ankle) were also forced to sit on the pine, but could have returned to the field if needed with the Sea Eagles down to 13 men.
However, Seibold’s side put those issues behind them and scored the first try in the fourth minute, with Lehi Hopoate crosses for his first NRL four-pointer.
The next came from Jacob Liddle, with the Dragons hooker capitalising on a Garrick blunder, batting the ball back into the path of his opponent after a short drop out.
Things were looking up for the Dragons, with Kyle Flanagan also scoring only three minutes later, but the Sea Eagles quickly stemmed the flow of points.
Haumole Olakau’atu crashed over for Manly, displaying how dominant he can be with the ball in hand ahead of Origin selections.
Then it was Luke Brooks who got over the white line, coming through in support after a Karl Lawton break.
Zac Lomax was the next to score in the 47th minute, with his four-pointer being the last points the Dragons would score at Brookvale Oval.
After another Hopoate break, Ben Trbojevic capitalised to get his name on the scoresheet before his brother and NSW captain Jake followed.
He grounded a Daly Cherry-Evans grubber to add to the points tally before Jason Saab closed out the game with an impressive win and a fitting try.
The victory was labelled a “huge performance” by Warren Smith, while Steve Roach said it was one of the club’s “best wins”.
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