Manly down understrength Sydney Roosters in NRL trial as Angus Crichton makes impressive debut

Manly have knocked off the defending premiers the Sydney Roosters in their final trial ahead of the NRL season, as Angus Crichton made his club debut for the tricolours.

GOSFORD, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 02: Jake Trbojevic of the Manly Sea Eagles celebrates his try with team mates during the NRL Trial match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Sydney Roosters at Central Coast Stadium on March 02, 2019 in Gosford, Australia. (Photo by Ashley Feder/Getty Images)

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Manly have downed an understrength Roosters side 38-20 in Gosford on Saturday night as both teams blew out the cobwebs in their final pre-season hit out of the year.

With both teams resting the majority of their starters it was an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim for a first grade berth and it was the Sea Eagles who came out stronger.

They opened the scoring inside five minutes via Corey Waddell and never surrendering the lead.

CRICHTON’S A CHOOK

It was a depleted Roosters side that took the field with Nat Butcher, Lindsay Collins and Matt Ikuvalu the only players backing up from the World Club Challenge.

Angus Crichton, who joined this year from South Sydney, made his Roosters debut as captain and got off to a tough start with two early errors.

Angus Crichton impressed in his first appearance for the Sydney Roosters. Picture: Getty

However the NSW Origin backrower shook off the dust soon enough and put in a solid 50 minute stint, capped with a rampaging 20 metre run for a try off a great short ball from Lachlan Lam.

Crichton promises to form one of the top backrow combinations in the league with Boyd Cordner and Victor Radley.

ELGEY SHINES

Trent Hodkinson may well have the inside running to partner Daly Cherry-Evans in Manly’s halves for Round 1 but former Titan Kane Elgey put his best foot forward in this one.

Elgey set up a try in the first half for Jack Gosiewski via a well-weighted grubber and looked the most likely of all the Manly playmakers.

A talented and well-rounded player, Elgey has struggled for consistency since he missed the entire 2016 season with a knee injury.

It remains to be seen which way Des Hasler will go and while Hodkinson is likely the safer choice Elgey has more upside.

Teammates mob Corey Waddell (#13) after he scored the opening try. Picture: Getty

MANLY SEARCH FOR ANSWERS

With Tom Trbojevic expected to be sidelined for at least the first few rounds of the regular season Manly are scrambling to find a replacement fullback and Brendan Elliott is expected to get the start.

Elliott lined up at fullback in this one but was safe rather than spectacular.

The former Titan, Rooster and Knight has some experience as a top grade fullback but it remains to be seen if he can hold the fort while Trbojevic is injured.

Given exciting youngster Albert Hopoate didn’t play in this trial - and Manly have given every indication he’ll be brought along slowly - Hasler’s options may be thin on the ground.

Young guns unite! Sydney Roosters winger Matt Ikuvalu scores a fine try out wide. Picture: Getty

YOUNG GUNS FIRE THEIR SHOT

Manly won the final edition of the Holden Cup in 2017 and some of the players from that side are filtering through to the top grade.

Halfback Cade Cust scored a fine individual try through a show and go and powerful centre Tevita Funa may come into first grade calculations before long given his strong display on the left.

Abbas Miski, a Lebanese international who takes after Josh Mansour, put in his own claim for a first grade berth with two tries for the victorious Sea Eagles.

Lam, son of former Queensland captain Adrian, was the Tricolours best, setting up two tries and looking dangerous whenever he took on the line.

Neither side reported any serious injuries.

Originally published as Manly down understrength Sydney Roosters in NRL trial as Angus Crichton makes impressive debut