NRL 2022: Manly blown out of game by referee as Ben Hunt double inspires 20-6 win

Manly couldn’t do anything right while the Dragons, seemingly, couldn’t do anything wrong, on a night in which the only thing more lopsided than the penalty count was the scoreboard.

Fed-up Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler wants to meet up with NRL referees boss Jared Maxwell to discuss the lopsided penalty count from Friday’s 20-6 loss to the Dragons.

Hasler chose his words carefully after he incurred a $25,000 fine earlier in the season for attacking NRL officials after Manly’s loss to the Eels in Round 11.

Manly needed some love from the referee after they lost three players to Covid-19 during the week and then had three more guys go down with injuries during the game.

But they were battling from the outset with St George Illawarra awarded a number of penalties and set restarts that allowed them to skip out to a 12-0 lead in the opening 20 minutes thanks to a quick double to Ben Hunt.

Manly were on the wrong end of the penalty count. Picture: NRL Imagery

The constant whistles frustrated Hasler, with his side losing the penalty count 9-5, while they conceded five set restarts to two.

“It’s not a whinge,” Hasler said.

“I don’t mind giving away the 10 [penalties] it’s their [5] the part that I don’t get. There were plenty of times where some of the things were questionable. We’ll see what happens during the week. I’ll talk to Jarred.

“I thought the interpretation around possession [was tough] because they had a lot of early possession.

“We have been such a disciplined team for the past month.

“It’s not a whinge or a complaint, but I just can’t see how we warrant a 2-1 penalty count. I honestly don’t get that part. That had a big influence as far as possession and they capitalised on that. We did well to limit them to two tries.”

Skipper Daly Cherry-Evans said the lack of possession hurt his side in the opening exchanges as the Dragons joined Manly on 20 competition points.

“That first half was a difficult one,” he said. “To go down 14-0, I was happy with that given the circumstances. In hindsight, it zaps you. We had to do a lot of extra tackling in that first half.”

‘HAPPY’ DRAGONS FIRE UP TO TAKE HEAT OFF HOOK

It’s usually the Sea Eagles who pull off the ambush when their backs are against the wall, but this time they were on the receiving end as the Dragons put a week of coaching controversy behind them to keep their top eight hopes alive.

Talk about Anthony Griffin being under pressure dominated the week but concerns about his future will shift to the backburner after the under fire Dragons cruised to a 20-6 win to join Manly on 20 competition points.

Jack Bird said that sacking coaches mid-year was never a good idea and that Friday’s result proved that the players believe in Griffin.

“We all get along with Hook,” he said. “We’ve been inconsistent, but I’ve never seen why teams sack coaches midway through the year. We’ve seen it with the Bulldogs and the Tigers and stuff, I just think it takes a lot away from your game and the concentration side of things.

“I’m happy to play under Hook and I’m happy that he’s staying. I’m not on the board so I don’t know.

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Ben Hunt scored the first two tries for the Dragons against Manly. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“He’s safe for now, I guess. He’s our coach, and if we keep winning games then I’m sure he’ll stay.

“We had a good chat as a group this week and we knew what we had to do to get our season back on track to get back in the top eight and back in contention. If we didn’t like Hook then we wouldn’t win games and play like that.”

Some of the criticism thrown Griffin’s way focused on a perceived favouritism towards some of the senior players in the squad.

But if Ben Hunt continues to play like a man destined to win the Dally M then no one should care who gets preferential treatment because he’s the main reason why they are still in the hunt to play finals footy in 2022.

The Dragons skipper was again involved in all the big plays for his side, scoring the first two tries of the night to give his side a crucial 12-0 buffer in the driving rain in Sydney’s south.

Hunt opened the scoring when he slipped past the front line of defence and then burrowed over to ground the ball, and he was at it again six minutes later when he pounced on a Talatau Amone grubber to become St George Illawarra’s leading try scorer this season.

And when things weren’t quite clicking in attack in the second half, it was Hunt’s trusty right boot that pinned Manly deep in their own end and forced a couple of timely repeat sets.

“I definitely feel like I’m enjoying my footy and playing some good footy,” Hunt said. “I’m not sure if it’s the best I’ve played or not, but I feel comfortable.”

EAGLES ROCKED

The Sea Eagles came into this one having won four of their past five matches and playing some of the most entertaining footy in the league.

But they offered very little in the wet and wild conditions, and their firm grip on eighth spot is suddenly much looser with the Dragons joining them on 20 points with six rounds to go.

Josh Aloiai was solid for the Sea Eagles before going off with an injury. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

It means next week’s game against the Roosters at 4 Pines Park suddenly feels like an early finals game with the loser in massive danger of missing the top eight, especially if the Sea Eagles fail to beat the Eels at home the following week.

The Sea Eagles clearly missed Jake Trbojevic and Lachlan Croker around the ruck, with the pair and Andrew Davey ruled out of Friday’s clash due to Covid-19, but they should all be right to go next week.

Their cause wasn’t helped when they lost Ben Trbojevic to a head knock in the first half, fellow forward Sean Keppie was ruled out at halftime with a shoulder injury, while Josh Aloiai was helped from the field with 40 seconds to go.

“I think Josh Aloiai is probably the biggest concern,” Des Hasler said. “I think he’s got a cork on his patella. That’s a wild guess.”

Losing so many forwards meant Josh Schuster got extended minutes on the field, but the promising youngster had a tough night at the office with his hands.

Cody Ramsey could be facing a stint on the sidelines after twisting his knee. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

CODY CONCERN

St George Illawarra will be sweating on the fitness of Cody Ramsey who was taken from the field in the first half after an awkward tackle.

Ramsey has been in outstanding form since he made the switch to fullback but the early reports are that he’s suffered medial ligament damage to his left knee.

Moses Mbye was safe at the back but didn’t offer the punch that Ramsey provides.

“It’s a big loss when you lose your fullback,” Griffin said.

Exclusive: Turbo reveals shock 2022 return plan

-Dean Ritchie, Fatima Kdouh

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic has dropped a bombshell – he could be back for the NRL finals and wants to tour with Australia’s World Cup squad.

An untroubled rehabilitation from what was to be season-ending shoulder surgery has Trbojevic on schedule for a possible return in week two or three of the finals, provided Manly can push into the playoffs.

Trbojevic’s anticipated comeback will give Manly – who play St George Illawarra at Kogarah on Friday night – added motivation over the back-end of this season.

And Kangaroos assistant coach Michael Hagan claimed Trbojevic would almost certainly be named in the Australia’s World Cup squad at right centre if the Sea Eagles champion was fit and available.

Trbojevic, 25, continues his recovery after sustaining a shoulder injury in Manly’s 22-20 loss to Parramatta at CommBank Stadium in round 11.

He has resumed gymnasium training at Manly.

Tom Trbojevic suffered what was thought to be a season-ending shoulder injury. Picture: NRL

“My rehab has been going really well. Recovery from shoulder surgery is always slow but fortunately there haven’t been any complications,” Trbojevic said.

“At this stage, there’s still a lot of rehab work to be done. I could be back for week two or three of the finals if Manly can get through. My (rehab) schedule says I could be ready by then.

“That’s not to say I will be selected. I won’t have played in a while and could be underdone and if the team is still alive then obviously all the players will have been playing really well.

“I would also love to go to the World Cup if Mal (Meninga, coach) picks me. I definitely would. I don’t expect to be picked but I’m hoping to at least be available.

“I’d certainly put my hand up but I’d also have to have a chat with Manly to see where they sit on the World Cup.

It’s a hard one. I’m hoping to be available later in the season and we’ll see what happens from there.

“All I can do is continue getting stuck into my rehab and if any opportunity comes, then I’d be good to go. I just have to keep pushing forward.”

Hagan stressed Trbojevic was likely to win selection in the World Cup.

Tom Trbojevic has been earmarked for the Kangaroos. Picture: AAP/David Rowland

“If he’s fit and wants to go, I’d pick him. He’d certainly be in the conversation,” said Hagan.

Manly coach Des Hasler would ultimately make the decision on whether Trbojevic would be permitted to travel to England for the World Cup.

Trbojevic wants to meet with Hasler to discuss the situation.

Hasler not comment but is expected to be asked about Trbojevic’s comeback during a mandatory media conference at Brookvale on Thursday morning.

The TAB has Manly – who has won four of their past five games – paying $1.55 to make this year’s finals.

Manly has a mixed draw over the finals seven rounds playing St George Illawarra, Sydney Roosters, Parramatta, Gold Coast, Cronulla, Canberra and Canterbury.

The Sea Eagles sit in eighth spot on 20 competition points. That would mean winning three of the last seven games to play finals footy, provided the predicted 26 points was sufficient to reach the playoffs.

At the time Trbojevic was injured, former premiership-winning hooker Michael Ennis said: “It’s heartbreaking for Manly fans. Everyone that loves rugby league, loves what Tom does on the footy field.

“He’s a player that, whether you love Manly or hate them, you love what he brings. He’s a guy that brings people through the gates.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Manly blown out of game by referee as Ben Hunt double inspires 20-6 win