Manly Warringah Sea Eagles suffered a 40-28 loss to the Warriors in their final game of the season at Central Coast Stadium today.
Prior to kick-off, the Sea Eagles formed a guard of honour for the Warriors in a mark of sheer respect and appreciation for the tremendous sacrifices they made this season to be based in Tamworth and Gosford to allow the NRL competition after it was stopped due to COVID-19.
The Sea Eagles got off to a flying start when winger Reuben Garrick latched onto a beautiful floating pass from half-back Daly Cherry-Evans to score in the corner in the third minute. Garrick converted from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.
Second-rower Corey Waddell then bumped his way past three defenders to score next to the posts for a 10-0 lead after seven minutes. Garrick failed to convert the try.
Match Highlights: Warriors v Sea Eagles
A mix up in-goal by full-back Tevita Funa and Cherry-Evans saw the ball pop loose for five-eighth Kodi Nikorima to score. Half-back Chanel Harris-Tavita converted from in front of the posts for a 10-6 scoreline after 16 minutes.
The Sea Eagles were then punished for a mistake from the re-start when second-rower Eliesa Katoa hit a hole from Harris-Tavita to score near the posts. Harris-Tavita converted for a 12-10 lead after 20 minutes.
The Warriors went to a 16-10 lead when centre Adam Keighran ran off a short pass from full-back Peta Hiku to score out wide in the 21st minute. Harris-Tavita’s attempt from the sideline hit the upright.
The home side scored their fourth try in nine minutes when Hiku and Keighran combined to send winger Patrick Herbert over in the corner for a 20-10 lead. Harris-Tavita failed to convert the try from the sideline.
The Warriors took a 24-10 lead when Katoa dived on a grubber kick from Harris-Tavita to score. Harris-Tavita converted for a 26-10 lead after 32 minutes.
Keighran almost got his second try a minute later but lost control of the ball just short of the line in attempting to score.
The Sea Eagles hit back when winger Abbas Miski (below) swooped on a kick behind the line from Cherry-Evans to regather the ball before beating two defenders to score out wide in the 39th minute. Garrick failed to convert the try to leave Manly trailing 26-14 at half-time.
Miski got the Sea Eagles off to a strong start to the second half when he found open space to show his speed again to score in the corner. Garrick failed to convert the try to leave Manly trailing 26-18 after 43 minutes.
Keighran managed to get his second try in the 54th minute after the ball fell into his arms from a drop bomb by Garrick to give the Warriors a 30-18 lead.
The centre then grabbed his third try in the 65th minute when he hit a hole off a Nikorama pass to score behind the posts. Harris-Tavita converted from in front for a 36-18 lead.
The Sea Eagles reduced the margin to 36-24 when Garrick converted a try next to the posts to prop Taniela Paseka in the 69th minute.
The Warriors went further ahead when Herbert grabbed his second try in the 73rd minute for a 40-24 lead.
Manly finished the match off with a try to centre Brad Parker in the 78th minute. Garrick failed to convert the try for a 40-28 scoreline.
The loss saw the Sea Eagles finish the season in 13th place on 14 competition points.
