Dylan Walker sparks Sea Eagles to 18-12 win over Roosters

DYLAN Walker admitted Manly were spurred on to score a shock victory over the Roosters by the lack of respect they have been shown this year.

Dylan Walker makes a break to score the winning try against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

DYLAN Walker admitted Manly were spurred on to score a shock victory over the Roosters by the lack of respect they have been shown this year.

On a night that delivered Trent Barrett the finest victory of his coaching career, the Sea Eagles ended the Roosters previously unbeaten run with a tough and thrilling 18-12 win.

And it was the forgotten man of the NSW State of Origin debate who delivered the knockout blow, when Walker raced away with the match clincher with less than two minutes remaining.

It follows Manly’s recent wins over North Queensland and Canterbury, that Walker believes have not received the respect they deserve.

“The last couple of weeks I don’t think people were respecting us and respecting our wins,” Walker said.

Manly's Dylan Walker was a game-breaker against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“That is just me personally, that is how I have taken it.

“They were saying (even without Jason Taumalolo) that the Cowboys should still win and we were lucky enough to get the win.

“Then against the Bulldogs they said it would be a tight one and we put a good performance in (where they won 36-0).

“They said it wasn’t our performance, it was that the Bulldogs underperformed.

“But that is something that we have taken personally. We haven’t really got too much respect from the football world.”

Walker was brilliant, also breaking the half-time 6-all deadlock when he flashed through to pounce on a Blake Green grubber.

After playing in Origin I and II last year, Walker was dropped for the third game of the series.

But he admitted he had set himself a pre-season challenge to put his name back among the Blues contenders.

“They (NSW) probably wanted to go in a different direction,” he said.

Dylan Walker makes a break to score the winning try against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“I just wanted to go back to club and enjoy my footy.

“You set yourself those goals during the pre-season and you just have to work really hard.

“People have all different opinions and I have probably flown under the radar.

“I just want to play good footy for the boys.”

Over the first month of the competition the Roosters have been the competition’s benchmark and a team almost everyone rated as top four certainties in 2017.

But Manly on Friday night showed what a fair dinkum force they are as well after standing up to the Roosters all over the park.

Sea Eagles fullback Tom Trbojevic is wrapped up by the Roosters defence.

Up front, veterans Nate Myles, Brenton Lawrence and Jake Trbojevic led the way for their much-maligned pack, while Daly Cherry-Evans and Green held their own against the Roosters much hyped halves Mitchell Pearce and Luke Keary.

Tom Trbojevic and Akuila Uate also put in terrific performances, as did the rest of them.

But in the end it was the speed and class of Walker that proved the difference, with the help of exciting young centre Brian Kelly who set up the try.

Mitchell Pearce celebrates after scoring his try for the Roosters. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“We spoke about it all week to be prepared to win it in the 80th minute and it panned out that way,” Barrett said.

“But it was a very, very good effort against a really, really good Roosters team.

“We have had two good weeks prior to tonight but this was a real test for us.

“I am just really proud of the players. It was a huge effort.

Manly's Dylan Walker celebrates scoring his first try. Picture: Gregg Porteous

“They throw a lot at you, the Roosters. It is a difficult team to defend against.

“It is a bloody strong 17 they have got so it was a huge effort from us. And we have a lot of young guys who haven’t played in games like that before so it is a big confidence builder for them and it gives us a bit more belief.”

MANLY 18 (D Walker 2 J Taufua tries D Walker 3 goals) bt SYDNEY ROOSTERS 12 (S Kenny-Dowall M Pearce tries M Gordon 2 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Ben Cummins, Chris Butler. Crowd: 12,376.