“So, you’re saying we still have a chance?”
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That was the general sentiment amongst the Manly faithful as the Sea Eagles kept their infinitesimally small finals hopes alive with a 44-10 thrashing of the Dragons at Four Pines Park.
Kieran Foran’s charges were untouchable on Friday night, blowing Dean Young’s hapless side off the park to get within two competition points of eighth-placed North Queensland.
Manly still need to win next week against the high-flying Warriors, while also hoping that either the Cowboys or the Rabbitohs drop their last two matches, but hey, stranger things have happened!
Halves Clayton Faulalo and Jamal Fogarty were the chief Dragon slayers, laying on six try assists between them as the home side raced to a 26-0 lead by half-time.
Fogarty set up two tries for Jason Saab with a pair of delightful kicks, while stand-in five-eighth Faulalo’s cutout passes for Lehi Hopoate and Tom Trbojevic’s tries would have made legendary playmaker Cliffy Lyons proud. The 26-year-old also grabbed a try himself, racing 75 metres after scooping up an errant Dragons pass, although his night ended prematurely after he came off for an HIA in the 58th minute.
As good as Manly were, they faced little resistance from the Dragons, who dropped the ball so often you would have sworn they were allergic to it. Likewise, their edge defence was close to non-existent. They looked a shadow of the side that scored back-to-back wins over the Sharks and Tigers less than two weeks ago. Their three tries came in the last 12 minutes after Manly had put the result beyond doubt.
“Dean Young might just walk out of here,” remarked Fox League commentator Greg Alexander after Tyrell Sloan’s dropped ball gifted Josh Feledy a comically soft try in the 49th minute.
One conundrum facing coach Foran next year is the makeup of his halves combination. 19-year-old playmaker Onitoni Large made his debut on Friday after replacing Faulalo and looks to be a real prospect. Luke Brooks will return from an ACL injury next year, as will Joey Walsh (fractured jaw). Throw in Jamal Fogarty and the club has five NRL-standard halves competing for just two spots in the starting side.
One group of onlookers who certainly enjoyed the match was Manly’s 1996 premiership-winning team, who were in the house to celebrate 30 years since they defeated St George 20-8 in that year’s decider. Legendary fullback Matthew Ridge attracted plenty of glares from the older Dragons fans who clearly still think he was held in the lead-up to Steve Menzies’ controversial try.
Loko Pasifiki Tonga was placed on report mid way through the first half for a crusher tackle on Nathan Brown. He has one unrelated shoulder charge in round 11.
Manly’s biggest ever win against St George Illawarra (was 38-6 in 2008 finals).
Manly’s equal biggest win of the season (52-18 v Dolphins) keeps its faint finals hopes alive; If Souths and the Cowboys both win this week the Sea Eagles season is over.
Manly’s 500th win at Brookvale Oval – snapping their three game losing streak there.
