‘Ridiculous’ Kyle Flanagan sin bin leaves Michael Ennis in disbelief

Michael Ennis has been left fuming after a soft sin bin drama flipped the Sea Eagles and Bulldogs clash on its head.

Kyle Flanagan couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox Sports

The Manly Sea Eagles have run away with a 31-6 thrashing of the Canterbury Bulldogs on the back of an incredible hattrick from Daly Cherry-Evans.

But an “outrageous” decision has left NRL great Michael Ennis cold after the Sea Eagles scored two tries when the Dogs were left a man down for an innocuous moment.

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There were just over five minutes left in the half when Daly Cherry-Evans linked with Tom Trbojevic to put Reuben Garrick down the sideline from 30m out.

With Trbojevic back on the inside and Bulldogs swarming, Garrick kicked off the side of the boot.

But Canterbury halfback touched the back of Trbojevic and it was enough to convince referee Grant Atkins there was enough interference.

It was sent up as a “possible penalty try” and while Steve Roach believed it was a penalty, if not a sin bin, Warren Smith wasn’t so convinced.

“Kyle Flanagan was moving backwards in the direction of the ball there,” he said.

Michael Ennis said: “It’s hardly a touch from Flanagan.”

Tom Trbojevic sold it well. Photo: Fox Sports

“It looked like Tom had overrun the ball anyway,” Roach added.

Kyle Flanagan goes to the sin bin for ten...

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But that was enough to convince the Bunker and while it wasn’t a try, it was as good as because Manly spread it wide on the third tackle and used the over lap for Garrick to put the Sea Eagles ahead 12-6.

When he heard the decision, Ennis said: “Professional foul? That’s ridiculous.”

“I can’t believe this,” he continued. “I cannot believe Kyle Flanagan is in the sin bin for what we saw on Tom Trbojevic. It was merely a touch, he laid his hand lightly on his back. Outrageous decision.”

Smith added he believed Trbojevic appeared to be slowing down and Flanagan was trying to avoid running into him.

Roach said Flanagan was chasing the ball as well.

However, the sin bin and subsequent try all remain in the books.

Kyle Flanagan couldn't believe it. Photo: Fox Sports

The Dogs were lucky to go in only six points down and Josh Addo-Carr almost handed the Sea Eagles a four-pointer.

With the last play of the half, Addo-Carr picked up a pick through the line but when he was tackled, tried to offload and left the ball on the deck.

Kicking it through twice, it looked like Sea Eagles five-eighth Cooper Johns had capped off a tremendous try but he was beaten to the ball by Dogs prop Josh King, who just got his hand to the ball first.

“The save of the century from Max King,” Smith said.

It sent the Sea Eagles to the break with a 12-6 lead.

But the Sea Eagles were able to take advantage with just under five minutes of the sin bin remaining as Cherry-Evans scored Manly’s third try to make it 18-6 before Flanagan returned to the match.

Originally published as ‘Ridiculous’ Kyle Flanagan sin bin leaves Michael Ennis in disbelief