The Roosters have moved to ninth and within two points of the top eight after a hard fought win over Manly at a wet and windy 4 Pines Park on Saturday night.
Veteran fullback James Tedesco, star half Sam Walker and powerhouse front rower Naufahu Whyte led the way for Trent Robinson’s team in what was a slogfest played on a quagmire in driving rain for most of the night.
The 20-4 victory was the Roosters’ sixth from their past eight games against the Sea Eagles.
It was a significant result for the Roosters who face a tough run home with three games against top eight sides, including the Dolphins, Bulldogs and Storm, as well as matches against Parramatta and archrivals Souths.
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MATCH CENTRE: Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters live scores, videos
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The loss for Manly sees them slip to tenth on the ladder and at risk of losing touch with the top eight ahead of next week’s crucial clash with ladder leaders Canberra in the nation’s capital.
Referee Grant Atkins drew the ire of Manly fans early in the game, calling back what looked to be a fair Reuben Garrick try for a forward pass from Tolutau Koula.
The next time Manly were on the attack Koula didn’t need Garrick, running off a Tom Trbojevic pass to score for the eighth straight game at Brookvale.
Such was the strength of the howling southerly wind at the backs of Manly in the first half, several Roosters bombs went backwards, but when he had a chance for an attacking kick close to the Manly line in the 32nd minute, Walker threaded the needle perfectly for Billy Smith to touch down.
Angus Crichton was on the end of a stunning Roosters 50 metre surge two minutes later and suddenly the tricolours were well on top. The movement began when Connor Watson offloaded late to help Tedesco through a massive hole before finding Walker, who kicked across the field for Daniel Tupou to unload to Crichton.
Robbo in high praises of young Walker | 07:22
Walker was at it again ten minutes into the second half, this time with an aerial assault on Lehi Hopoate that Mark Nawaqanitawase was able to tap back for Egan Butcher to score the game’s final points.
While Walker gave Manly nightmares with his attacking kicks in the treacherous conditions, Tedesco was at his damaging best in the middle of the field. The former Australian captain also played a significant role in defence too, saving two certain tries with last ditch tackles.
FULLBACK TURBO
More than a month after he moved to the centres, Tom Trbojevic returned to fullback after ten minutes tonight, albeit temporarily.
Trbojevic slid back to his customary position when Hopoate was forced off for a head injury assessment when the knee of a flying Tedesco collected the falling Manly number one in the head as he pouched a towering bomb just above the ground. Tedesco was penalised.
The unsavoury incident brought the teams together as tempers flared but fortunately Hopoate was able to get back on his feet shortly after, before jogging off for the HIA. He returned 15 minutes later.
Trbojevic’s brother Ben was not so lucky, suffering a nasty head gash and failing his HIA later in the first half.
Late in the second half Manly made a tactical change, again pushing Trbojevic back to fullback, with Hopoate moving to the left wing and Garrick back to right centre.
Seibold still confident in Manly | 05:12
RADLEY RETURNS
After the Roosters initially reported that lock Victor Radley would be sidelined until round 24 with a shoulder injury, the England international returned via the bench and made a strong impact in his two stints on the field.
Radley, who has also missed several weeks this season following a series of concussions, will be an important weapon for the Roosters in their bid to climb into the top eight.
BROOKS’ MILESTONE
He might not have got the result he coveted but it was still a special night for Sea Eagles five-eighth Luke Brooks who made his 250th NRL appearance.
Brooks played 205 times for the Wests Tigers before moving to Manly at the start of 2024.
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