Gritty Sea Eagles defy another injury crisis with 18-10 win over Bulldogs

Des Hasler got his revenge over the Bulldogs when the injury ravaged Sea Eagles held off a fast finishing Canterbury to continue their remarkable run.

Reuben Garrick scored a double in Manly’s victory over the Bulldogs. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

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Des Hasler almost cracked a smile when the Sea Eagles held on to deliver him a first up win against the club that sacked him.

Almost…

Maintaining Saturday night’s match against the Bulldogs was about nothing more than two points, Hasler refused to claim he had exacted his revenge on Canterbury after the Sea Eagles landed a 78th minute penalty goal to defeat the team that axed him 18-10.

“It was about nothing more than the two points,’’ Hasler said.

“At this stage of the competition it is just about the points and it was nice to get those two points at home.’’

Reuben Garrick scored a double in Manly’s victory over the Bulldogs. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

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Despite earning the right to crow after the Sea Eagles made it six wins from seven matches to continue a remarkable run, Hasler refused to even mention the Bulldogs grudge match.

“We executed and competed well,’’ Hasler said.

“And we controlled possession. We built some nice pressure. In the overall scheme of things it is nice to get the two points when it is on a knife’s edge like that.’’

Manly continued their unlikely charge up the ladder. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

THE MARK OF KANE

Just a week after being dumped to play park football, Kane Elgey rebounded to deliver Des Hasler his revenge over the Bulldogs.

Seemingly out of favour with the Sea Eagles after the club that gave him an NRL life-line dropped him to 18th man for their clash against Canberra, Elgey returned to lead the Sea Eagles to their latest against the odds victory.

The Bulldogs were brave in defeat at Brookvale Oval. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

The former Gold Coast No.7 sent Manly to a 12-0 lead by sending Reuben Garrick over for two first half tries with two almost identical long balls.

Elgey then steered the Sea Eagles home as the Bulldogs mounted a comeback that was snuffed out in the 78th minute when Garrick landed a penalty goal.

“Elgey was really good in the first half,’’ Hasler said.

“He really stepped up and that is what he needed to do. He is very experienced and he knows what it is all about.’’

Jake Trbojevic was strong as captain for the home side. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)

DES v the DOGS

Des Hasler claimed the match against the Bulldogs meant nothing.

“Just another two points,’’ he said earlier in the week.

“It doesn’t have any extra significance.’’

Yeah right.

This one was a grudge match with a capital ‘G’.

It was Des Hasler v the Bulldogs.

It was the Bulldogs v Des Hasler.

And the veteran coach, known for keeping a straight face, almost managed a smile when Garrick landed the 78th minute penalty goal to seal the two tries a piece win.

And so Hasler should smile with the latest win helping resurrect his coaching career after his sacking by the Bulldogs put a huge question mark on his illustrious career.

LISTEN! Matty reveals the biggest lie he ever told coach, the song he can’t get out of his head, an Origin rumour that won’t go away and what it’s like to have a video session under Tommy Raudonikis. Don’t miss this week’s episode of the Matty Johns podcast.

DEFYING THE ODDS

Manly continued their remarkable run with more than $3 million dollars worth of talent on the sideline.

With many predicting the Sea Eagles would challenge for the wooden spoon after beginning the season with back-to-back loses, Manly on Saturday night made it six wins from their last seven matches to continue their climb.

Again without Daly Cherry Evans, Tom Trbojevic, and Dylan Walker, the Sea Eagles continued the climb up the ladder after also losing Croker to a hamstring injury.

“It is a hamstring,’’ Hasler said of Croker.

“Hamstrings are never nice things so we will have to see what happens.’’

Addin Fonua Blake also played the game after sustaining injury.

“We will have to look around to (see who is available),’’ Hasler said.

“We are playing the Broncos and they could do anything.’’

Reimis Smith scored a stunning try for the Dogs. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

THE HIGH FLYER

Reimis Smith continued his remarkable NRL rise when he finally showed his true speed to land a try-scoring double.

After boldly claiming he would like to take on Josh Addo-Carr and James Roberts in a foot race, the son of former NRL forward Tyran Smith showed he is indeed a contender when he scorched down the flank to score the short range try that gave the Bulldogs a chance.

Smith earlier went all AFL when he leapt all over Abbas Miski to come down with a screamer.

MANLY 18 (R Garrick 2 tries R Garrick 5 goals) bt CANTERBURY 10 (R Smith 2 tries R Martin goal)at Lottoland. Referee: Henry Perenara, Jon Stone. Crowd: 10,148.

Originally published as Gritty Sea Eagles defy another injury crisis with 18-10 win over Bulldogs