That’s it for us tonight. It was a big win for Manly and a wake-up call for the Bulldogs, but all overshadowed by what could be a crucial injury for Tom Trbojevic a fortnight out from the start of the finals. Keep an eye on all the latest on Trbojevic’s injury from our reporter Christian Nicolussi here and stay tuned for Adam Pengilly’s report on tonight’s second match between Penrith and South Sydney later tonight.
Thanks for being with us.
There are concerns for Manly’s Tom Trbojevic who was forced off the field with a suspected shoulder injury in his 150th NRL game.
Trbojevic tackled Bulldogs forward Jacob Preston in the 64th minute when he stayed down on the ground and had blood pouring from a head wound.
But the more immediate concern was his right shoulder, which appeared to get caught under Preston as Manly teammate Luke Brooks came from behind to complete the tackle.
Trbojevic dislocated his left shoulder against Parramatta in 2022, while he tore his right pec during Origin II last year.
Reed Mahoney scores his second try of the night but it won’t be enough for the Bulldogs. It’s a fantastic team try, with the ball going through a dozen passes before Josh Addo-Carr chips over the top for a chasing Mahoney.
It at least helps the Bulldogs’ for-and-against in the lead-in to the finals, but the Sea Eagles have the win as news comes through that Tom Trbojevic has passed his HIA but suffered an AC joint injury in his shoulder.
Bulldogs 22, Sea Eagles 34 after 80 minutes
Toby Sexton sends back-rower Jacob Preston crashing over on the right and there’s some slight chance of an unlikely comeback heading into the final 10 minutes. But Sexton’s conversion attempt sails just wide, which doesn’t help.
Bulldogs 16, Sea Eagles 34 after 69 minutes
Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic has copped a brutal cut to the head and blood is streaming down his face, and he’s also hurt his arm – which seems to be the more serious issue. He landed awkwardly on his right shoulder while making a tackle on a runaway Jacob Preston. He leaves the field for a HIA but is also carrying that arm in a very worrying sign for the Sea Eagles a couple of weeks out from the finals.
Bulldogs 12, Sea Eagles 34 after 65 minutes
Tom Trbojevic leaves the field.Credit: Getty Images
Luke Brooks is penalised and put on report for a lifting tackle on Jacob Preston but no further action is taken by the referee. Preston is OK despite being put in a dangerous position. Another penalty and a quick tap puts the Bulldogs inside the Sea Eagles’ 10-metre zone – but Daly Cherry-Evans pops up to intercept a Toby Sexton pass. Another frustrating moment for Canterbury.
And now more bad news: Matt Burton has failed his HIA and is out of the rest of the game. It’s a category 2 so he is still some chance of returning to face the Cowboys next Saturday.
Bulldogs 12, Sea Eagles 34 after 60 minutes
Matt Burton takes a head knock and is ordered from the field to undergo a head injury assessment, and Canterbury will be without their chief playmaker for the next 15 minutes. Adding insult to injury, the Sea Eagles quickly go in again through a rapid right-side shift – Dally Cherry-Evans sends a bullet pass to Reuben Garrick who runs into space between Bronson Xerri and Josh Addo-Carr to score.
Garrick misses a conversion for the first time tonight, but the Manly faithful won’t be too worried at this point.
It’s a record crowd for a Friday 6pm at Accor Stadium, with 35,502 fans in the stands.
Bulldogs 12, Sea Eagles 34 after 53 minutes
A booming, crossfield kick from Daly Cherry-Evans beats Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey to the sideline and it’s a 40-20. The Sea Eagles get a chance to go further ahead but DCE is wrapped up on the last tackle.
But they soon get another shot, and this time make no mistake. Lehi Hopoate has had a quality game and he is in again with some sharp work on the right, stepping inside Tracey to score his second.
Bulldogs 12, Sea Eagles 30 after 50 minutes
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/link/follow-20170101-p5k5sb