Heart attack brings Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles game to a standstill

An NRL pre-season contest was brought to a standstill for more than 90 minutes after a medical drama unfolded in the stands.

The Manly Sea Eagles have walked away 34-24 winners in their Pre-season Challenge game against the Rabbitohs, but will be sweating on the availability of star prop Taniela Paseka for Round 1.

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Paseka left the field and went up the tunnel after landing on his shoulder in a tackle. It was later reported that he had suffering an AC joint injury and would be sent for scans.

It came after kick-off to the game was delayed for 90 minutes due to a medical emergency involving a patron at Industree Group Stadium, Gosford.

The paramedics that were rostered on for the NRL trial were required to attend to the fan, who reportedly suffered a heart attack.

As the delay stretched out there was a chance the game would be abandoned. However, after ARLC chair Peter V’landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo were engaged, a resolution was found.

Another patron, who was an off-duty paramedic, assisted, allowing the other paramedics to be on hand for the game.

Cameron Murray signing autographs during the delay. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

Players had a quick warm-up on field before kicking off just after 5pm.

After some end-to-end action in the opening 20 minutes, towering winger Navren Willett crossed for two tries in seven minutes.

Willett is a new face at the Sea Eagles after joining the club from the Tigers on a train-and-trial deal.

Manly extended their lead through Aaron Schoupp before Rabbitohs finally hit back right before half time through their energiser bunny Jye Gray.

It came after an eyes-up play from five-eighth Ashton Ward, who spotted Manly’s fullback was out of position and delivered a perfectly-weighted kick.

The Rabbitohs had a poor start to the second half, but the Sea Eagles fired with barnstorming winger Tuaimalo Vaega crossing for two tries in eight minutes.

Manly continued their charge with Jake Simpkin and Clayton Faulalo scoring until South Sydney finally came alive, scoring three tries in four minutes — including a thriller — but it was too little, too late.

Manly players celebrate a try in their trial game.

QUESTION MARKS OVER BIG BUNNIES SIGNING

All eyes were on Lewis Dodd in Saturday’s Pre-season Challenge match but unfortunately, the English import left a lot to be desired.

Dodd is a big-name signing from the Super League and is set to wear the No.7 in Round 1 following the departure of Lachlan Ilias and amid plans for Cody Walker to shift back to five-eighth.

However, other than a nifty ball in the lead up to the Rabbitohs’ last try, the 23-year-old was very quiet.

“I really wanted to see something from him but he’s been outshone by some of the younger guys,” champion halfback Cooper Cronk said during Fox League’s coverage.

Dodd, to his credit, was defensively sound, making 10 tackles with zero misses. But his little-known halves partner Ashton Ward looked more dangerous in attack.

For Greg Alexander — another champion playmaker — the jury is still out on whether Dodd is the answer at halfback for the Rabbitohs.

“Coming into the game I was fascinated to watch Lewis Dodd. He’s a big signing – a halfback from the Super League to be your No.7,” Alexander said.

“Is he up to it? That’s the question. The question mark still hangs, is Lewis Dodd up to it?”

Manly were on a roll. (Photo by Scott Gardiner/Getty Images)

MANLY’S DEPTH ON SHOW

Manly coach Anthony Seibold will be licking his lips heading into the season after seeing a host of players shine with Fox League’s Greg Alexander noting: “They’ve got very good back-up under their top 17.”

Taniela Paseka, Lehi Hopoate, Tof Sipley and Corey Waddell were the only regular first-graders to feature in the game with Seibold giving a lot of up-and-coming players an opportunity to impress.

And impress they did.

Wingers Navren Willett and Ray Tuaimalo Vaega bagged two tries each, Dean Matterson set up two tries at five-eighth, Jake Arthur set up two tries and had three linebreak assists, while Clayton Faulalo scored a try and set one up.

It wasn’t just the backs that impressed too. New recruit Sio Siua Taukeiaho showed he’s still got it, finishing with 101 running metres and 20 tackles — one miss.

Taukeiaho’s signing could prove to be a masterstroke after fellow prop, Paseka, left the field with a reported AC joint injury.

Meanwhile, back-up hookers Gordon Chan Kum Tong and Jake Simpkin also had some nice moments. With Lachlan Croker set to miss the opening month of the season through injury, it’s safe to say the No.9 jersey will be in good hands.

Originally published as Heart attack brings Rabbitohs vs Sea Eagles game to a standstill