The Sea Eagles have survived a second-half surge from the Wests Tigers to win 22-16 at Campbelltown Stadium on Sunday.
With fullback Tom Trbojevic leaving the field while Anthony Seibold's side was trailing by two points to the winless Tigers, it was desperate times for an error-riddled Manly side but a late Jason Saab try got the visitors over the line.
Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans held his side together at halfback, linking up with forward Haumole Olakau'atu to lead the Sea Eagles to capitalise on the limited possession (42 per cent) his side had, ensuring his side walked away with the two points.
With an impressive performance on both sides of the ball with a try, 111 run metres and 34 tackles, 24-year-old Olakau'atu staked his claim for State of Origin selection after a stand-out 80-minute effort.
The Wests Tigers had all the possession in the opening seven minutes with repeated sets on their attacking line but Manly quickly turned defence into attack when Saab streamed down the right side before finding Cherry-Evans to finish off the 90-metre effort.
The Sea Eagles were in again just 12 minutes later when Cherry-Evans and forward Olakau'atu combined to crash under the posts and the visitors were out to a 12-point lead.
Olakau'atu extends the lead
With Manly coughing up their sixth error in 25 minutes, the Tigers were handed a number of opportunities downfield but anticipation continuously turned into disappointment with Tim Sheens' men failing to link up in attack and complete sets.
But in the 35th minute their time came with a run around play fooling Manly defenders and winger Charlie Staines produced an incredible aerial display to give the Wests Tigers faithful a glimmer of hope heading into the sheds, trailing by six points.
After both teams struggled in wet conditions in the opening stages of the second half, hooker Api Koroisau did it all himself, carrying the ball out of a scrum before dummying to Brooks and burrowing over for a short-range try.
Wests Tigers hit the front
Come the 64th minute and the Tigers had all the momentum against an exhausted Sea Eagles. A set of quick hands to Starford To'a allowed the towering centre to do what he does best, slicing through Manly's defensive line thanks to a short ball from Luke Brooks and the Wests Tigers found themselves in the lead for the first time in 2023.
But it was short-lived for the home side when a pinpoint Cherry-Evans kick found a flying Saab in the corner to put his side back to a 20-16 lead and the Wests Tigers were left still chasing their first victory of the 2023 season.
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Match snapshot
- Fullback Tom Trbojevic left the field in the 70th minute of the match with a suspected groin injury.
- The Sea Eagles made nine errors in the first half and were forced to make 206 tackles in the first half compared to the Tigers' four errors and 142 tackles.
- Wests Tigers Jahream Bula stood tall on debut, running 166 metres off 22 runs and producing a try-saving tackle on Tom Trbojevic early in the second half.
- Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry Evans has scored four tries in four games against the Wests Tigers.
- Wests Tigers pair Api Koroisau and John Bateman racked up 73 tackles between them.
- Josh Schuster was quiet in his return from a quad injury with just 15 passes and 21 receipts from five-eighth.
- Wests Tigers have lost their last six games at Campbelltown Stadium.
- The Tigers have conceded 120 points in their past three games.
Play of the Game
After being shifted from fullback to the wing for the ANZAC Round match, new recruit Charlie Staines brought the Wests Tigers faithful to their feet with an acrobatic finish in the right corner. After his side missed countless opportunities on their attacking line, the "Forbes Ferrari" lived up to his name, when he streamed down his edge and leapt into the in goal to finish off a slick run around Tigers play.
Staines goes skyward
What They Said
"We’ve just got to hang together as a group, stick firm, keep working hard and we’ll get the win and start from there. There’s an improvement I think so I’m still happy with how everyone’s attitude is, it’s always just an execution thing. We’re not settled as far as who's playing left and right and playing in what position, we’re still having a few problems with that." - Wests Tigers coach Tim Sheens
"I felt like this year that’s the way we finished the game there, we defended so well and It showed we cared and wanted to finish it off for each other. Regardless of whose out there, we’re trying to build that mentality into our game and I felt like we did that tonight. We’re going to miss Tom (Trbojevic) because he’s an important part of our team but ultimately I think tonight showed that we’re trying to turn a page when it comes down to Tom playing or not playing, we’re trying to turn the page." - Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans
What's Next
The Tigers are heading west to meet the Panthers in Bathurst for a Saturday night regional clash. Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles will be hoping to record their fourth consecutive win at home when they host the Titans at 4 Pines Park.