NRL 2021: Manly Sea Eagles win 19-18 over Canberra Raiders | Match Report

Even with the pending return of star playmaker Tom Trbojevic, the Sea Eagles look poised to roll into the finals with some real momentum after their latest miracle victory.

They were without superstar Tom Trbojevic, but Manly were still good enough to get the win over Canberra. Picture: Getty Images.

Manly’s supporting cast played their roles to perfection as they picked up two crucial competition points without their leading man to keep their top-four hopes alive.

And the good news keeps coming with Des Hasler confirming Tom Trbojevic will be back next week from his cheekbone injury.

The only thing fractured right now is Canberra’s hopes of playing finals footy after their second-half fadeouts came back to haunt them in the 19-18 loss at Suncorp Stadium.

The intrigue surrounding Turbo’s availability dominated the headlines all week and had more plot twists than a Home and Away season finale. And with Trbojevic ruled out, nothing went to script for Manly in the first half without their leading man there to run the attack.

“I don’t think they think like that at all,” Des Hasler replied when quizzed on whether his players couldn’t score without Trbojevic.

“Tom will be back next week.”

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They were without superstar Tom Trbojevic, but Manly were still good enough to get the win over Canberra. Picture: Getty Images.

They had a try ruled out for obstruction, bombed a certain four points with an overweighted kick and had seven errors in the first half alone. They struggled to play with width, and when they did, they were repeatedly bundled into touch.

But the half-time break was their best friend and they fired in the second act to move level with the Roosters on 30 competition points, showing once and for all that they are more than just a one-man show.

“We addressed a few things at the half-time break and to our credit, they executed what we needed to,” Hasler said.

“We’re in a situation where we need to keep winning games and keep putting ourselves in a position to do it. We’ll just have to see how the other games pan out.”

They finish the season with matches against the Bulldogs and Cowboys which they’ll win by a cricket score with or without their star fullback.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

Canberra fans must have had one eye on September after their side jumped out to a 12-0 lead at the break, but their finals hopes are now in tatters after yet another second half collapse.

It’s been the story of their season and has them stuck in ninth spot with two rounds remaining.

It looked like they had the perfect game plan to knock off the Sea Eagles for the second time this year, with Joseph Tapine dominating through the middle just as he did when the sides met in Round 17.

But they lacked composure in the second half and didn’t have the answers to halt Manly’s momentum, meaning they have to win their remaining games to sneak into the eight.

“I’m disappointed for the players because we’d be in the Grand final if it was down to courage and effort,” Ricky Stuart said.

“Unfortunately, it’s not only that. We needed a bit more than that.

“I win with them and I lose with them. It’s hard losing that way when you put so much courage and effort into 80 minutes of footy.”

One positive was the return of Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad from serious injury, although his first touch was an error that led to a frantic Sea Eagles try two plays later.

The Raiders decision to take Jordan Rapana off for Charnze Nicholl-Klokstad backfired, as Manly bounced back in the second half. Picture: Getty Images.

SUPPORTING CAST

He’s been linked with a move to the Dragons, but Moses Suli could be a wildcard in the run to the finals after he played his best game in years to spark Manly’s comeback.

He ran riot on the left edge, finishing with 217 metres and a stack of tackle busts as he exposed some lazy Canberra defence through the middle.

“He had a whale of a game,” Hasler said, confirming the club would work through the situation with Suli who has a year left on his current deal.

Suli was well supported by Haumole Olakau’atu who is the form back-rower in the competition. He scored Manly’s first try, had another ruled out for obstruction, forced a line dropout and produced a one-on-one steal.

Fittingly, skipper Daly Cherry-Evans iced it with a late field goal which proved telling in the end after Nicoll-Klokstad crossed with 32 seconds remaining to bring the Raiders within a point.

The Green Machine actually had a chance to steal it when Josh Schuster was sent to the sin bin for a cynical penalty, but Jordan Rapana’s two-point field goal attempt barely got off the ground.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Manly Sea Eagles win 19-18 over Canberra Raiders | Match Report