Behind The Moment: How Manly’s season came crashing down against the Sydney Roosters

The result of Tolu Koula’s search-and-destroy mission on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from the kick-off of Manly’s sudden-death final against the Roosters hung over them like a dark cloud, writes BRENT READ.

Tolu Koula saved Manly a week ago. At Allianz Stadium on Saturday night, his night was over before he had the chance to play the hero.

Koula, the matchwinner in Manly’s win over the Bulldogs on the opening weekend of the finals with a blistering try in the final minutes, bit off more than he could chew as he looked to lay down a marker in the opening seconds against the Sydney Roosters.

The Sea Eagles flyer went on a search-and-destroy mission on Jared Waerea-Hargreaves from the kick-off in their sudden-death final and came off second best.

Chalk up another victim for Waerea-Hargreaves, whose hit list includes some of the biggest names – and bodies – in the game.

Koula didn’t stand a chance as he got his head in the wrong spot. He was fighting in the wrong weight class. Every game could be the last for Waerea-Hargreaves at the Roosters as he prepares to head to Super League at the end of the season.

BEHIND THE MOMENT: WATCH BRENT READ’S ANALYSIS IN THE VIDEO ABOVE

He started the game like a man on a mission and sadly for Koula, he found that out the hard way. The Sea Eagles centre was in Disneyland and left the field, scratched from the game with a head knock.

It was the last thing the Sea Eagles needed as they looked to keep their season alive, forcing Ben Trbojevic into the action as he did his best to fill the void.

Trbojevic is a heck of a footballer but he isn’t Koula. Not many are. Koula’s speed had slayed the Bulldogs after he dazzled at Accor Stadium a week ago but the Roosters would never be put to the test.

Seconds after Koula left the field, Jake Trbojevic followed him after he copped a head knock trying to tackle Lindsay Collins. Manly’s night had got off to a horror start and they never really recovered.

“The start was a little bit surreal in some ways losing Tolu and Jake the first two tackles of the game,‘’ Manly coach Anthony Seibold said.

“But I was really proud of the guys, I thought we kept fighting really hard. The Roosters were too good tonight, that was the reality of it.

“We fought hard, but what could go wrong went wrong in many respects.”

Tolu Koula concussion

Jake Trbojevic went off for a HIA. Picture: NRL Photos

Trbojevic was forced to undergo a 15-minute assessment, was cleared to return to the action but even he couldn’t stem the flow of points as the undermanned Sea Eagles were put to the sword.

Their mistake count rose alongside their fatigue levels, leaving them at the mercy of the Roosters and their skipper James Tedesco.

Tedesco, playing his 250th game, was at his elusive best. He scored two tries and had two try assists. The Sea Eagles never stood a chance.

“You don’t ever plan for anything like that,” Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans said.

“We did our best considering, but that’s not the start you need in a semi-final.”

Their night was gone in a matter of seconds.