NRL round 2: Manly Sea Eagles 21 beat Sydney Roosters 14

Luke Brooks’ first game in front of a parochial Manly home crowd couldn’t have gone better in a thoroughly entertaining clash against the Roosters.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 17: Luke Brooks of the Sea Eagles ruduring the round two NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Sydney Roosters at 4 Pines Park, on March 17, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Luke Brooks looks like a new man running about in the Sea Eagles’ No.6, with ‘running’ being the key word.

Outside the composed and excellent Daly Cherry-Evans, 29-year-old Brooks threatened the line with most touches and set free supports with deft passing in his team’s 21-14 win over the Roosters.

Brooks, who spent 11 seasons with Wests Tigers, was close to scoring on two occasions and drew many cheers from the sold-out crowd of 17,284.

He was also flattened by Brandon Smith but got up to amass 123 running metres, a line break, a line break assist and a try assist.

His quick hands that led to Tommy Talau’s second-half try was hot skill under rushing pressure.

Luke Brooks had a strong showing in his first home game for the club. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Teddy flattened

Following a Brooks’ bomb, James Tedesco leapt for the ball but landed flat on his back following accidental but, considering the NRL’s pre-season ‘crackdown’ on chasers both contesting the ball and looking at it, apparently illegal contact by Tom Trbojevic.

Victor Radley was also involved in Tedesco being up-ended yet the fullback’s first contact was with Trbojevic who backed into the contest and, with the ball in the air, was facing his own tryline.

Tedesco lay on his back and appeared stunned and winded for a short period but recovered quickly setup Daniel Tupou for a try before scoring one himself on the same left edge.

Young talent time

The Roosters trotted out the biggest back five in the NRL era including 200cm Dom Young.

But it was electric Sea Eagles centre Tolutau Koula who turned and burned Young and had the crowd roaring on an 80-metre burst.

Young, though, went on his own searing 80m run in the 55th minute when he parried a Trbojevic pass, saw it rebound for Tedesco who passed back to Young who burned them all, including Reuben Garrick who tore across from the opposite wing.

The 22-year-old Englishman was centimetres from scoring on two occasions and was a popular target for the kicking boot of Keary.

Jared Waerea-Hargreaves couldn’t claim the win in his 299th match. Picture: NRL Photos

Haumole on fire

Haumole Olakau’atu was twice close to scoring for Manly in the second half, once held up, the other time denied by the bunker which found a minuscule knock-on early in his run.

The Origin aspirant ran for 150m with 68 post-contact metres and was dangerous close to the line.

A leg injury to Olakau’atu was tended to by Sea Eagles trainers before the 25-year-old jogged gingerly back into play.

Taniela Paseka was also impressive with 195m including 95 post-contact metres, and 27 tackles.

Entertaining start

Both teams had chances in the opening exchanges.

Young was a helpful bounce from scoring in the south-western corner before Lachlan Croker wrestled his way over for the game’s first try.

Koula was over in the 20th minute following a strong, stepping run by Jaxson Paulo who set his team free following a Luke Keary knock-on.

Daly Cherry-Evans’ 72nd minute field goal took his side out to a seven-point lead.

Originally published as NRL round 2: Manly Sea Eagles 21 beat Sydney Roosters 14