Manly’s finals hopes are on life support after they blew a double-digit lead to lose to the undermanned Storm in Perth, with key forward Taniela Paseka facing a stint on the sidelines after he left the field with a knee injury.
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The Sea Eagles were in third spot after 15 rounds but have fallen down to tenth after they slumped to a fifth loss on the trot, with the Storm coming from 14 points down to cruise to a 42-20 victory.
It’s a stunning fall from grace for the Sea Eagles who looked so impressive under Kieran Foran, with the rookie coach needing to conjure a miracle if they are to sneak into the top eight.
They still have to play the Dolphins, Knights and Warriors in the final four rounds, with superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic set to return from injury next week.
But they will be without Paseka after the giant prop came off after 25 minutes with a right knee injury, with early indications that he heard a pop and did damage to his MCL.
“I don’t think it’s too good, but we’ll just wait until we get a scan on it,” Foran said.
Things started so well for Manly who raced out to a 14-0 lead with Haumole Olakau’atu unstoppable in the early exchanges, but they capitulated in the second half to all but end their finals hopes.
They have other concerns with Corey Waddell and Tolu Koula both on report.
Cameron Munster may have enjoyed a triumphant return from injury as the Storm smashed the Sea Eagles in Perth on Saturday, but he may find himself back on the sidelines again.
Munster was charged with dangerous contact on Manly prop Taniela Paseka in the 24th minute.
Paseka left the field soon after with a knee injury.
Munster is facing a week on the sidelines with an early guilty plea or can fight the charge and risk facing a further week suspended.
Melbourne have the bye next weekend, so Munster may miss the Penrith match the following week.
Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown was put on report and sent to the sin bin in first half for a late tackle which saw Blake Wilson off for a Head Injury Assessment. He was not charged, however.