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NRL 2020: Fans backflip over insane Wests Tigers comeback over Manly

The Wests Tigers were down and out with 14 minutes to go against Manly, before pulling off one of the best responses you’ll ever see.

Andrew McMurtryAndrew McMurtry
@AndrewMcMurtry
2 min read
September 5, 2020 - 8:13PM
Yes Adam, you did score that try.
Yes Adam, you did score that try.

The Wests Tigers have pulled off one of the all-time comebacks in a 34-32 win over the Manly Sea Eagles at Lottoland.

Formerly known as Fortress Brookie, it‘s been far from it this season with Manly claiming just one win at the ground in 2020.

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But the Tigers are the big story.

After a horrific week where the side was reportedly at odds around coach Michael Maguire‘s tough coaching style with reports the side was “walking on eggshells”, the Tigers have pulled off a stunning victory.

And it was orchestrated by the man who‘s been told he’s no longer needed in Benji Marshall and the under-fire Luke Brooks.

In fact it was Brooks who set up the final try with a cross-field kick which found a leaping Adam Doueihi who took a mark AFL players would be proud of to slam the ball down and seal the win.

Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane went nuts after the try.

“They‘ve tied it up, they’ve come from nowhere,” he screamed. “Luke Brooks for about five minutes of the warm up did nothing but produce these kicks, these chopping kicks across the face of goal and he’s landed it on a dime.”

Brooks had three try assists for the season leading into the game but added another two to help his side over the line.

Doueihi then converted his own try for the Tigers to hold the lead for the first time in the game, just 73 seconds from the end of the game.

“What a 10 minutes from the Tigers,” a disbelieving Ginnane said. “They were gone, it was just about over.”

Again, what a grab.
Again, what a grab.

It was a crazy game with the Sea Eagles racing out to 20-6 after 28 minutes before the Tigers‘ David Nofoaluma scored his second try of the night with four minutes remaining.

The Tigers then cut it to a two point ball game before the Sea Eagles flexed their muscles with tries to Jake Trbojevic and Morgan Harper making it 32-18 with 14 minutes remaining.

Adam Doueihi scored in the 69th minute to keep the game alive before Nofoaluma scored a try that touched both sides of the field before he completed his hat-trick.

Brooks and Doueihi then combined for the match winner.

Fans had been riding the game all the way with some ripping the team before the Tigers snatched the win from nowhere.

That’s six straight losses for the Sea Eagles.
That’s six straight losses for the Sea Eagles.

Sea Eagles coach Des Hasler was clearly disappointed by the result.

“We had that game won 10 times over and we found 11 ways to lose it,” he said.

The Sea Eagles have seemingly lost Jorge Taufua for the rest of the season with a reported torn calf in a costly loss.

Asked if it sums up the season, Hasler said: “I don‘t think we’ve got through the last six games without losing an outside back”.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-2020-fans-backflip-over-insane-wests-tigers-comeback-over-manly/news-story/f11fc3ee3061a97348385ffebb183026