Manly Sea Eagles win 34-24 over Rabbitohs following delay after fan had heart attack

All eyes were on English import Lewis Dodd in his first game for the Rabbitohs, but the halfback failed to deliver against Manly, after a medical emergency delayed play by more than 90-minutes.

ARLC chairman Peter V’Landys and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo were forced to step-in and give the clearance for kick-off of Manly’s 34-24 pre-season trial victory over the Rabbitohs following a 90-minute delay due to a fan suffering a heart attack in the crowd.

In unprecedented scenes, the scheduled 3.30pm kick-off of the crucial hit-out was suddenly delayed after a supporter inside Industree Group Stadium at Gosford suffered a serious medical episode.

Paramedics who had been rostered on to provide medical support for the NRL trial match rushed to the aid of the supporter and subsequently the carriage of the patient to a nearby hospital.

Under NRL guidelines, professional rugby league matches can’t be played without qualified paramedics or an ambulance at the venue.

At one point, it was feared that the game could be abandoned.

However, pressure from both clubs to play, following months of pre-season training and preparation for their first serious hit-out, contributed to the eventual running of the trial.

The mission to ensure the match go ahead included high-level discussions from ground managers and NRL officials at the stadium with V’Landys and Abdo and also broadcasters Fox Sports.

Both teams were kept inside their respective dressing rooms throughout the 90-minute delay as they waited for NRL clearance to start the match at 5.10pm.

DODD WATCH

In a trial match devoid of big guns including Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans, Luke Brooks, Tom Trbojevic or the Rabbitohs Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Jack Wighton,there’s no doubt that for South Sydney fans, this trial match was all about laying eyes on English import and halfback Lewis Dodd.

Steady without being sensational is about the best way to describe the former St Helens star.

Lewis Dodd struggled in his first game for South Sydney. Picture: NRL Imagery

The Rabbitohs were on the wrong end of the possession count with just over 40 per cent of the ball, but Dodd’s inability to swing the momentum through his kicking game, left Fox League commentator Greg Alexander with more questions than answers, including who between Peter Mamouzelos, Jamie Humphreys, Siliva Havili and Ryan Gray plays hooker.

“Coming into the game I was fascinated in Lewis Dodd, that was a big signing,’’ Alexander said.

“Is he up to it? That’s the question mark. That question mark still hangs, is Lewis Dodd up to it (NRL)?

“I guess he gets a run again next week. So question marks for me for South Sydney coming into the season are, (positions) seven and nine.’’

TALL TIMBER

Despite the lack of high-profile talent on display for both sides, the eyes were peeled to unearth any future stars.

You didn’t have to look to hard with Manly unleashing one of the tallest players in NRL history – 201cm winger Navren Willett.

Recruited from the Wests Tigers to Manly on a train and trial contract, Willett showed all the signs of a future NRL player with his size and support-play integral in his two tries.

Only Brisbane giant Ben Te Kura at 205cm stands taller than Willett with his height matching that of Melbourne prop Nelson Asofa-Solomona.

One of the tallest players in the NRL, Manly winger Navren Willett impressed early, scoring two tries. Picture: Getty Images

BACKS DEPTH

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold has an embarrassment of talent and depth in his backline, so much so, clubs on the hunt for more stocks in their backs, like the Warriors, will surely come knocking.

Not only did Manly unveil Willett, but sending a message to the coach that they want more NRL in 2025 were winger Raymond Tuaimolo-Vaega (two tries), centre Clayton Faulolo (two tries) and Aaron Schoupp (try). The trio were superb in the absence of Reuben Garrick, Jason Saab, Tolu Koula, Tommy Talau and superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic.

Sea Eagles forward Taniela Paseka is in some doubt for round one after a suspected shoulder injury. Picture: Getty Images

FINAL SAY

Given the inconvenient delay of the match, which undoubtedly would’ve impacted the player’s final preparation and the amount of stars absent from the clash it’s difficult to be too critical on either side, particularly the Rabbitohs, who made the scoreboard appear better than what it should’ve been with a couple of late tries.

The biggest concern for both coaches is injuries in trial matches.

For the Rabbitohs, Siliva Havili (HIA) was forced from the field while for Manly, hard-running prop Taniela Paseka is in doubt for round one, with scans set to determine the severity of a shoulder injury after being forced from the field in the second-half.

Originally published as Manly Sea Eagles win 34-24 over Rabbitohs following delay after fan had heart attack