Tom Trbojevic injured as Daly Cherry-Evans field goal helps Manly upset Rabbitohs 13-12
Daly Cherry-Evans did not see his match winning field goal in golden point but knew it went over after hitting it sweetly to deliver Manly an upset 13-12 win against South Sydney.
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Daly Cherry-Evans did not see his match winning field goal in golden point but knew it went over after hitting it sweetly to deliver Manly an upset 13-12 win against South Sydney.
The Sea Eagles victory was soured by a recurrence of the hamstring injury to fullback Tom Trbojevic which is set to sideline him long term. Trbojevic, who missed the first two games of the season with a hamstring injury, limped from the field with his first touch of the second half after pulling up untouched on a kick return.
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His brother Jake said it “did not look good” for Trbojevic after re-injuring his left hamstring.
“It’s never good when they stop and get injured like that,” Jake said.
While Trbojevic’s injury may cruel his Origin hopes, the Sea Eagles showed great resolve to win back-to-back games under new coach Des Hasler.
Cherry-Evans booted the match winner from 40 metres with less than a minute remaining in the first period of extra time.
“It was a bit of a hit and hope,” Cherry-Evans said. “I got lucky there. Sometimes you just know when it feels sweet. It was deceptively windy today but when I hit it I knew it was going to go close. I was quietly confident when I hit it.
“I got knocked over. I didn’t’ see it. I had to check myself and look back up at that stage it had gone through and the boys were running over. They are really special moments.”
He is becoming the best clutch player in the competition with his fifth game winning field goal in golden point – the most of any player.
Hasler described him as “ big moment player.”
Manly also lost back-rower Corey Waddell (concussion) in the opening half in front of 12,304 people.
BENNETT SAW IT COMING
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett has noticed a dip in standards of his side at training and on the field in recent weeks. He said they have gradually performed worse since their round one win against the Roosters despite the loss against Manly being his club’s first since he took charge.
“Our performances have been getting worse since game one,” Bennettt said. “It was a reminder of them they need to prepare better. It’s’ not the talent not there. It was the attitude that killed us.
“We’ve been heading in that direction in that direction.”
REYNOLDS STRUGGLE
Adam Reynolds has a reputation as one of the game’s best general play and goal kickers. But the Rabbitohs halfback produced an uncharacteristic poor performance missing three shots at goal. A drop goal hit the post in the dying stage of regulation time where he missed another in extra time.
“Never one guy when we play like that,” Bennett said. “There was a whole lot of them. H wasn’t by himself believe me.
“I know how hard he practices (on his kicking). It was just one of those days.”
LISTEN! Pressure on the Clearys, Ponga’s missing spark and rich pickings for the Blues. Plus Matty’s confrontation with “The Animal”. Don’t miss this week’s episode of The Matty Johns podcast with Paul Kent and James Hooper.
BUILT ON DEFENCE
The Sea Eagles completed at just 47 per cent and made 19 handling errors but it was their defensive resolve which saw them win. Hasler said his side produced lots of “resolve and grit” for the win.
“They are good hallmarks of any (good) team,” Hasler said.
A Marty Taupau try-saving tackle on Cameron Murray in the opening half typified Manly’s efforts while a Jake Trbojevic tackle on Campbell Graham forced the ball loose for Manase Fainu to score the only second half try.
HIA CONFUSION
There was confusion on the Rabbitohs interchange bench when centre Jacob Gagan was replaced using their eighth and final interchange with 10 minutes left. The on-field trainer wanted to use a HIA replacement but because George Burgess came on with the interchange card the Rabbitohs were unable to get that change back despite asking an interchange official.
MANLY 13 (M Fainu T Trbojevic tries D Cherry-Evans 2 goals D Cherry-Evans field goal) bt SOUTHSYDNEY 12 (S Burgess C Graham tries A Reynolds 2 goals) in extra time at Lottoland. Referee: Grant Atkins, Liam Kennedy. Crowd:12,304.
Originally published as Tom Trbojevic injured as Daly Cherry-Evans field goal helps Manly upset Rabbitohs 13-12
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