The Wests Tigers have overcome a fast Manly start to hold a late 30-26 lead in their Round 25 clash.
The Tigers night nearly started perfectly, with Aidan Sezer going close to scoring in the third minute after he collected a Lachlan Galvin grubber off the right upright.
However, a strong tackle from Tom Trbojevic and former Tiger Luke Brooks to deny the halfback from opening the host’s account for the night.
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Five minutes later, the Sea Eagles were on the board through Jason Saab, before Lehi Hopoate scored in the 11th minute to extend their lead to 10-0.
The Tigers had a few chances to score, only for a Charlie Staines forward pass and some strong Manly defence to deny them.
Ethan Bullemor made a linebreak in the 22nd minute and found Tom Trbojevic on his inside, who scored his side’s third try of the night.
Former Sea Eagle Api Koroisau cut through his former’s sides goal line defensive line in the 25th minute to score his side’s first try, finally rewarding the home side for dominating field position up to that point.
A high shot on Isaiah Papali’i soon after Koroisau’s try gifted the Tigers more field position, which they capitalised on through young gun Heath Mason.
The Tigers shifted the ball to their right, finding Mason with half a gap to burst through and score his first NRL try.
In the 36th minute Ethan Bullemor was sent to the sin bin as a result of repeated Sea Eagles ruck infringements.
Despite what the scoreboard suggests, the Tigers dominated much the first half’s closing stages – holding 64% of the territory and 57% possession by halftime – and could have scored again before the interval had a Galvin pass to Mason not been ruled forward.
The Tigers began the second half as they ended the first, with the wind in their sails, especially after Haumole Olakau’atu was controversially sin binned in the 46th minute for a high shot on Mason.
With the numerical advantage the Tigers pounced, scoring through Alex Seyfarth in their first set without the Manly edge forward on the field.
Former Sea Eagle Latu Fainu scored six minutes later, extending the host’s lead, before Solomona Faataape pounced on a Galvin crossfield chip to score the Tigers’ fifth try of the night.
However, Trbojevic scored again just after the hour mark, offering Manly a glimmer of hope.
Corey Waddell was sent to the sin bin – Manly’s third of the night – for a high shot in the 65th minute, leaving Manly fan’s nervously sat on the edge of their seat.
Trbojevic scored once again in the 70th minute, setting the game up for an unforeseen blockbuster finish.
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