NRL 2016: Manly Sea Eagles grind out tough victory to keep Sydney Roosters winless

THE Roosters remain winless following a tough defeat at the hands of Manly, who had to grind out victory at Allianz Stadium.

Brett Stewart of the Sea Eagles beaks the tackle of Latrell Mitchell of the Roosters during their Round 4 NRL match between the Sydney Roosters and the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, March 26, 2016. (AAP Image/Mick Tsikas) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

TRENT Barrett should have been celebrating after the bruised and battered Sea Eagles defied the dreaded five-day-turn-around to survive a Roosters onslaught and record what he described as his sides “bravest’’ victory.

But the rookie coach with the movie star looks couldn’t even manage to crack a smile after his side was plunged into an injury crisis with million-dollar man Daly Cherry Evans and workhorse Jamie Buhrer taken to hospital in the wake of 22-20 victory at Allianz Stadium.

On a night of a high drama that left Roosters coach Trent Robison claiming the NRL bunker robbed his side of a win, Barrett refused to celebrate his first ever back-to-back with his side facing their second game in just ten days with an injury ravaged team that could be missing up to five players with injury.

Cherry-Evans headlines the concerning list that includes Buhrer (broken hand), Steve Matai (neck), Tom Symonds (calf) and Jayden Hodgson (knee) with the playmaking whiz expected to be sideline for up to four weeks after being carted to hospital with an ankle injury.

No there was no smiling from Barrett, just frowns and concerns after he revealed the toll the NRL schedule has taken on his team.

“It was certainly the bravest win I have been involved with,’’ Barrett said.

“But we went in short of troops and just lost another two. It was a great win on a five day turn around but we have another five day turnaround now.’’

Yep, the already battered Sea Eagles will take on the Rabbitohs in just five days with their injuries making them the poster club for the issue the NRL attempted to address this week by offering to pay for hotels.

Latrell Mitchell endured a mixed day at fullback.

“A comfy bed?’’ Barrett said of the NRL’s attempt to address the issue of five day turnarounds.

“Mmm. That will make a difference. No it won’t help. But we just have to go and win again against Souths. We just have to get ready and back up again. I mean this is character building but they are buggered and sore. They only won because they care so much about each other.’’

The win that was all but sealed when Mitch Aubusson was controversially ruled off side in the 67th minute in a “bunker’’ decision that saw Latrell Mitchell denied a match stealing try, was overshadowed by the injuries and the revelation that the Sea Eagles will take on Souths with just two training sessions in two weeks.

“The whole squad wont be able to do anything until the captains run,’’ Barrett said.

“The older blokes won’t train at all. We will get four or five of these turnarounds in the first six weeks and you can only train once a week. We are just trying to get them on the field. And you talk about player welfare.’’

Jamie Lyon helped the Sea Eagles to the gutsy win when he scored in the 58th minute to reclaim the lead after a Shaun Kenny Dowall double gave the Roosters an unlikely lead.

The veteran may be forced to play in the halves with Cherry-Evans expected to be out.

““Issac John played in the NSW Cup,’’ Barrett said when asked of his options. “Tim Moltzen is back and Feliti (Mateo) played there tonight. We have a few options. We can’t make excuses though and we will be going in with the same mentality as tonight and that will be to win.’’

Robinson was critical of the NRL bunker after the no-try ruling cost his side a come from behind win.

“It was a try,’’ Robinson said.

“It was a bad call from the ref and then a bad call from the bunker.’’

Originally published as NRL 2016: Manly Sea Eagles grind out tough victory to keep Sydney Roosters winless