Manly Warringah Sea Eagles rounded off their pre-season NRL trials with an 18-16 loss to the Canberra Raiders at Central Coast Stadium tonight.
The Sea Eagles went into their final trial game on the back of a 28-4 opening trial win over the Wests Tigers last Friday night.
Coach Des Hasler fielded a strong team in preparation for the team's opening Telstra Premiership match against premiers Penrith on Thursday, March 10.
The Sea Eagles received an early injury blow when experienced prop Martin Taupau left the field with an injury in the second minute. It was later diagnosed as a jarred back with Taupau not returning for the match.
Two minutes later, Manly were almost in for the opening try but Tom Trbojevic’s foot went over the sideline as he slid over the tryline with three defenders on him.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring when winger Jason Saab took an intercept pass on his own line to race 85 metres to score untouched. Reuben Garrick converted for a 6-0 lead.
After a mistake ridden middle period of the first half, the Sea Eagles took advantage of a drop ball by Canberra for centre Tolu Koula to swoop on it and race 80 metres untouched in a sheer display of pure speed. Garrick converted for a 12-0 lead after 33 minutes.
The Sea Eagles were in again three minutes later when a great floating pass by five-eighth Kieran Foran found Garrick who turned the ball back inside for an unmarked Tom Trbojevic to score. Garrick failed to convert the try for a 16-0 lead after 37 minutes.
Canberra hit back with a strong individual try to five-eighth Jack Wighton in the 39th minute. Jamal Forgarty converted for a 16-6 scoreline at half-time.
Eight minutes after half-time, the Raiders hit back when centre Nick Cotric scored from a grubber kick from Wighton. Fogarty converted for a 16-12 scoreline.
The Raiders then took the lead when prop Joseph Tapine strolled over from a short dummy half pass. Fogarty converted for an 18-16 lead after 58 minutes.
With 20 minutes remaining, Hasler took off several key players including Tom Trbojevic, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Trbojevic, Jason Saab, and Reuben Garrick. They were replaced by several talented players from the club's lower grade teams.
The heavens then opened with 12 minutes remaining, making handling more difficult for the remainder of the match.
