’They had no right’: Sea Eagles break Bulldog hearts, NRL ‘can’t believe it’

The Bulldogs had been on top most of the day, but the Sea Eagles ultimately delivered a dagger to the hearts of 50,000 fans.

The Manly Sea Eagles have pulled off an unthinkable win, knocking out the Canterbury Bulldogs 24-22 in an insane victory.

With the winner to play the Roosters next week and the loser to think about what might have been, the Sea Eagles trailed all day — until eight minutes from full-time.

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All match it seemed the Bulldogs were on top and the Sea Eagles were barely hanging on in front of 50,000 fans, a majority of which were wearing the blue and white of the Dogs.

But with just minutes remaining, the Sea Eagles pulled off one of the plays of the season to snatch the remarkable victory.

On their own 30m line, Manly put it through the hands with an inside ball from captain Daly Cherry-Evans to Tom Trbojevic putting the Sea Eagles on the front foot.

They shifted it wide to Tolutau Koula, whose speed proved the difference as he stepped Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey to drive a dagger through the hearts of the fans.

“I can’t believe it – incredible,” Andrew Johns said on Channel 9. “They have no right to be in front. They have no right to be in front. They have no right to be in the game.

“All the stats are with the Dogs. Everything.”

Fox League’s Andrew Voss called it: “One of the great tries of the year.”

What a moment. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

What a try. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

It was a tense final eight minutes, with the Bulldogs threatening but unable to break through.

And two two-point field goal attempts from Matt Burton fell short, as the Bulldogs players slumped to the ground.

“A win for the ages,” Peter Psaltis said on Channel 9. “Manly have produced a finals miracle.”

Sharks legend Paul Gallen said: “I seriously can’t believe it. They were doing nothing the entire game.

“The only time they get field position was on the back of the Dogs’ penalties. They hit the front with seven minutes to go. A great win.”

Cherry-Evans was blown away at the end of the game, saying he had belief the Sea Eagles could do it.

“This is what it is all about,” Cherry-Evans said. “The Dogs fans have been amazing all season. They gave us everything today but it is nice to get the last laugh.

“I honestly didn’t feel in control until the ball went out in the last minute. They had a fantastic season and we knew they would be a different team to two weeks ago. I am so proud we hung in there and got the job done.”

Jeral Skelton’s face says it all. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton was devastated.

“It just hurts,” he said.

“We played a good brand of footy today but I want to say thank you to all of our fans from the start of the year all the way until now.

“Keep your heads up. It is just the start for these boys.

“First time together and first year together as well. We will only go up from here.”

The match wasn’t without controversy though as a try to Manly just before halftime, which made it 16-12, had more than a few question marks on it.

A Cherry-Evans bomb was caught by Lehi Hopoate in a brilliant catch, before he shovelled it to Ethan Bullemor, who zigzagged his way to the line.

Immediately on the Fox League call, Voss said: “It’s a forward pass. I don’t know about the last pass but Bullemor has wound up with a Manly try.”

But Steve Roach said: “They’re going to get away with it.”

Looking at the replay, the contest had a few question marks as the ball could have bobbled – there’s been more than a few called back this season by the Bunker – with Cooper Cronk saying: “It looks like a little bobble there.”

However it was awarded and the Dogs fans weren’t happy, although the consensus was pretty split.

In the end, the home fans left distraught as Manly’s 2024 campaign continued.