Round 16 - Roosters vs Sea Eagles

WOW!!! That game was epic. I wish I had been there to witness it live!!! What a massive turn-around Manly had after so many low scoring games. Tony Williams comes back into the side and we have an absolute blinder of a game. Those injured team members would have found it unbearable to sit on the sideline during such an epic game!!

Where do I start? The beginning I suppose. So late mail is that T-Rex is back in the side. Do you need any more info than that? We come on, grab the ball and make the most of it almost instantly. Matai ploughs through a gap and runs down the field but gets tackled not far from the line. Tony Williams (T-Rex) gets the ball and pushes several Roosters away from him, he offloads to Brett Stewart who throws a stellar pass and sends Jorge Taufua over the line in the 3rd minute. Jamie Lyon successfully converts the try opening the score to 0-6. We seemed to take the energy that we had in last weeks game against the storm and make something of it. The tries just kept coming after that.

A few minutes late Matt Ballin pulls out a sneaky grubber kick into the in-goal area and Anthony Watmough pounces on it. The referees hand it over to the video ref to make a call, but it is clear that we have another one here! Lyon converts and away we go 0-12 in the opening 10 minutes. This is the team that I know, the team I cheered on last year, a far cry from the struggling team we have seen in previous weeks, just grinding out a marginal win.

It's a few more minutes before we see another try from either team, but Manly are really lit up, they are surging, all guns blazing at this Roosters pack, and the Roosters are growing weary of containing them. Although, it's not a one-sided game here, the Roosters are playing some sort of football, but making a few errors trying to keep the pace with Manly. The Roosters were worried about containing T-Rex and the Sea Eagles are having a hard time trying to contain Mose Masoe, an even battle I'd say!

In the 21st minute Steve Matai gets his chance to cross the line. Tony Williams pops a little kick through the defenders, the ball is collected by Steve Matai who flies to the try line and picks up another 4 points for us. With Lyon converting the try, the score jumps to 0-18. Almost 10 minutes later Anthony Watmough comes powering through the defensive line and runs away toward the goal posts, he only had one Rooster to get past, makes a swift pass to Cherry-Evans who then scores a try. The Sea Eagles are now on 24 points after a successful conversion and the Roosters are still on nil.

The Roosters have their chance to get their name on the scoreboard in the 34th minute. After a previous set saw them go over the line only to pass the ball out into touch, they get their chance in the right hand corner. They out-ran and out-passed our defence. Braith Anasta converts the try and it is 6-24 with 5 minutes left in the first half, and remains at that till half time.

The second half is underway and within the first minute the Roosters open up the scoring again, Tom Symonds grabs the ball after a kick from Mitchell Pearce and places the ball down over the line. Kieran Foran tries to stop him, but the ball just scrapes over the line. Anasta misses the conversion.

It's now 5 minutes into the second half and the score is 10-24. The Roosters seems to have had a taste of the momentum we had in the first half and are going all out to get a glimpse of the lead. We've had some difficult calls against us but we still have some points in us. I can feel it. Then, Moga runs through a gap and is off running around many Manly players. Brett Stewart runs at him and makes the tackle, but you can tell that the Roosters want, or need to score off this set. Fortunately, they don't.

Jamie Buhrer gives a penalty away and we see the Roosters score off a repeat set. They score over in the corner after drawing in several Manly defenders. Braith Anasta fails to convert the try and the score remains 14-24. It's looking a bit dangerous at this stage, we need to find some more of that magic from the first half.

The Roosters lose the ball after a kick from Cherry Evans and we get a scrum feed just outside the 10 metre line. This is our chance to get back om the board. We do, a classic Manly, left to right play sees Dean Whare over the line to take the lead to 10-28. Lyon misses the conversion. This seems to be the turning point in the game. The Roosters make a short restart and grab the ball, they get close to scoring again, but we hold up and hold them out.

Less than 5 minutes later Steve Matai kicks on the 5th and it moves towards the dead ball line but curves around staying in play, Anthony Minichello fails to bat it dead, meanwhile, Brett Stewart is soaring down the ground and places the ball down for a try. What a brilliant try! Lyon converts and the score is 14-34. A penalty sees us gain some metres before Buhrer pushes through two Roosters players to win the chase to a kick from DCE and place the ball down inches before the dead ball line. Jamie converts and the score is 14-40!!! I'm sure this is the biggest lead we have had all season!


There is still more in us as we head into the final 10 minutes. We get close, but Taufua fumbles the ball. Then DCE comes off the field, and our worst nightmare is taking place. Fortunately it's just a corked knee and with the bye next week, there should be no dramas. Jamies Lyon makes a beautiful intercept and takes off down the paddock to score under the white posts. He converts his own try and the score is 4 points shy of 50 with 3 minutes left in the game.


To seal the deal, Manly decides that they would like to get past that 50 point mark and Kieran Foran kicks and Brett Stewart gathers it up and passes it to Ballin, before he drops it to his boot and kicks toward the in goal, to be chased by none other than Jamie Lyon and we grab those crucial points to make it over the 50 point mark. He converts a few seconds before full time and we have won. A massive win for the boys 14-52!!! WOOOHOOOO


Happy Footballing!!!  

Round 15 - Sea Eagles vs Storm

Well, we lost. I never like losing, there always seems to be a dull mood at Brookvale after the game... Ah not to worry. We'll beat them when it counts...

So the Manly Sea Eagles had tweeted and facebooked to let us all know that there would be a free flag for the first 5000 through the gates. Naturally, I was there almost as the gates opened. I picked up my flag like an excited child and beamed a smile from ear to ear. In fact, I got two, one for game days and one to keep in my study alongside my framed jersey. Winning!

So I have my flag and I'm sitting in my seat cheering on the NYC, I'm freezing like I am living in Russia in the middle of winter, but that's OK, I'm about to watch my boys play for the first time in what feels like years, but in actual fact it has only a couple of weeks. I look over to my left to the Sea Eagles 'bunker' and there is Anthony Watmough chilling out with his headphones on his ears, and at half time Geoff Toovey pops out onto the field. Now, this may not seem interesting to you, but I love watching people, watching the little things they do when they are out of the limelight. I also love seeing how events come together and the people that flit around behind the scenes to make them happen.

So the game. Melbourne was the opponent, the odds, in my opinion, were neither for or against us. I thought we had a good chance to win but I never thought it would be an easy game. Melbourne aren't top of the ladder out of dumb luck. They play well... do I daresay dirty? I would just like to back up that last comment with one reason. Cameron Smith. Yes, he's a great player captains this, that and the other, but wow I have never seen a football player who can delay play as much as him. The amount of time he took to kick for conversion was unlike anyone else that I have seen. Several times the referees called time while he was 'setting up' for the kick. Hmm, back to the game.

It was looking really good for us in the opening minutes of the game. We were close to crossing the line several times but the Storm defence was just too good for us. We had a lot of ball and we were looking very dangerous. Then came the Storm, looking equally as dangerous and they were too good for our defence, coming up with a try in the opening 10 minutes. The score was 0-6. Then the score was 0-12 and the crowd was bewildered and left wondering when Manly would get that fire in their belly that they so often do when they are losing.

We got our chance in the 28th minute when Daly Cherry-Evans went over the line, smacking into the goal posts the ball was knocked out (or dropped depending on who you talk to) but came off a Storm player and bounced up and was put down to the grass by DCE. The crowd was on their feet and the sight was incredible. The flags around the place looked epic. There are no words to describe the pride that ran through my veins and the sight of thousands of flags flying high. Jamie Lyon converts and the score is 6-12.

The fire was alive and we saw Brett Stewart cross after winning the chase to a kick from Lyon. Even score. I like even scores. I like even more when we are in the lead and it wasn't long before Jorge Taufua crossed the line to take the Manly Sea Eagles to the lead. Our luck seemed to take a turn when Glenn Stewart was lying on the ground after a tackle, in pain. Glenn suffered a knee injury - and will be out for several weeks - and was assisted off the field only minutes before the half time siren sounded.

As I was tweeting about during half time I came across a heart-warming and uplifting piece of information. In the last 12 games between Manly and Melbourne the team leading at half time won the game 11 out of 12. I thought to myself, let's make it 12 from 13. Well, we all know that wasn't the case, that little statistic was wrong, it misled me!

The second half saw almost half as many tries as the first. Unfortunately for the Sea Eagles, two of them were against us. Melbourne opened the second half scoring in the 50th minute bringing the score to 18-18 after a messy play. More good, even football follows until Melbourne cross again and take the lead on the scoreboard. It's 18-22 and we're waiting a gazillion years for Cameron Smith to make the kick. Seriously, it's freezing, kick the bloody ball and get on with the game I can't feel my toes! The booing and heckling does not seem to have any affect on him, shame.

So we were now down 6 points but that's nothing. It's one converted try. We can do this. Penalty to Melbourne.. ummm what? Then, yes, they go for the two and they are right in front of the posts. There are 9 minutes left in the game and nobody is sure if Smith will kick this before the siren sounds. More booing, less flag-flying. Now a converted try and a penalty are separating the two teams. Two tries can definitely be scored within nine minutes as long as you have the ball.

The minutes are ticking away and the ball is going back and forth and no points are being scored. Our fate seems to have been decided and it is almost impossible for us to win. A little bit of dignity returns when Dean Whare crosses the try line in the 79th minute. The crowd is on their feet but we know it isn't a win for us. Lyon misses the conversion and the final score is 22-26 to Melbourne Storm. Sigh.

I thought we played well. I really enjoyed seeing Kieran Foran out there but he still seems a little below match fitness and I'm sure that is just going to keep improving. Next week sees the return of Steve Matai from suspension, but our team will still be missing players. David Williams is still not named for Sunday's game, with Dean Whare replacing him on the wing, not Michael Oldfield, and of course Glenn Stewart is out for a couple of weeks.

Photo's from the day, courtesy of Jasiah Ulbricht are here. And Happy Footballing

Round 15 - Battle of Brookvale -

- well, so they keep calling it!

This game has me absolutely amped! I am so excited (keen, pumped, anxious, expectant) for this game it has just been way too long since I have seen my boys play! Yes, I did watch Origin II and it was a enthralling games where one of our own went over the line TWICE, and our three representatives played brilliantly as expected, but it was the wrong colours. Now, don't think that I was cheering on the Queenslanders, I just mean that those boys belong in the maroon and white that is Manly Sea Eagles. Personally I think that all three deserve that sky blue jersey and I think Brett Stewart has done an amazing job this year as fullback for NSW.

Anyway, back to this weekend. I set myself a challenge, last weekend, to discover some talent outside the Northern Beaches. I was surprised enlightened to see that such a thing does exist, well not entirely but I am very bias towards this team! To my delight I discovered that watching other teams play was not only fun, interesting and enjoyable but I also realised the caliber of the players we have in our club. Sure there were some great games and there are definitely some great players out there but I often found the teams lacked exactly that, team or teamwork.

With some of the lower teams I found they lacked spark and, for want of a better word, initiative to get the task done. I am so glad that my team is a high quality team. With all the re-signings that are happening I just hope we have the same quality and stature of players coming in to replace them. I am confident that we do, because it is a culture that is developed by the club and should remain forever embedded in the players. For those clubs that will receive a Sea Eagle next year, you are getting much more than you deserve and I hope that the instilled culture will follow those players wherever they go.

Wait, I never really got back to this weekend. Take 2. So I look forward to seeing these two great teams compete against each other. Billy Slater looks to be out for awhile but that does not mean a win will be easy. He is not the only outstanding player in the Melbourne squad. We can be sure of an even match that will for sure be a nail-biter, an intense game that could really go either way. I am hopeful for a win, but anything is possible!

Good luck to the boys and be sure to follow me on twitter @MaroonWhiteBlog for live updates and other fun stuff. Apologies in advance if my tweets aren't as frequent as expected, firstly I get terrible reception at Brookvale, and secondly I often get caught up in the action and forget I have a twitter account.

Happy Footballing :)

Round 14 - Bye Week Part 2

So I've set myself a challenge for this bye week. I'm to watch as many games as possible over the weekend and comment on the performance of the teams and try to come up with an 'outstanding player' for each game. So far it's proved to be an interesting exercise and if anything has been gained from the challenge it would have to be adding players to my watchlist for Dream Team. I have enjoyed the challenge and enjoyed watching the games and my love and appreciation for Manly has grown. For games 1 and 2 check out part 1.

Game 3 Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans. Both sides missing players. Carney and Gallen out for Sharks and Prince and Bird out for Titans. I picked Titans, not realising that Scott Prince was out as well, because they have had a pretty good run in the last few weeks.

I guess in my obsession passionate support for the Manly Sea Eagles, I have really had the blinders on, so to speak, and taken little or no notice of other players in the NRL. So this little exercise has helped me to appreciate the talent there is out there aside from my beloved team.

I couldn't really pick an outstanding player for either side in this game, so instead I'll name a few that I thought played well. Chad Townsend, playing five-eighth for the Sharks did well, kicked well and even scored a try. Colin Best played a good game as well, often finding or creating space and also scored a try for Cronulla. Beau Champion I thought played well for the Titans often running a fair amount of metres and finding small gaps in the Sharks defence. Aidan Sezer was also on my 'well-played' list and I thought Matt Srama did especially well for Gold Coast. Overall there were a few players who I now have on my watchlist for Dream Team. 


So, game 5 - yes I missed game 4 - Penrith Panthers vs NZ Warriors at Centrebet Stadium. The final score was 16-30 to the Warriors. The first half was very interesting, good football and entertaining as well. The Warriors lead 12-0 until a powerful surge of momentum from the Panthers evened out the score line. For awhile I thought the Panthers were in it to win it, but couldn't quite get the win.


I thought there were some good players out there tonight. For the Panthers I thought Josh Mansour, and Travis Burns played well and were consistent throughout the match. For the Warriors the two halves, James Maloney and Shaun Johnson were outstanding, really guiding and directing their team and eventually leading them to the win. No outstanding player as such. I thought there was a real sense of team out there on the field again tonight.


These are just my opinions, I could be talking rubbish. I don't pretend to be an expert and I've only just started really watching football in the last few years so I'm still learning. I listen to a lot of the commentary and try to learn from that. So no hating if you think my choices are poor!

Well Origin II this Wednesday. Looking forward to it, up the blues!

Happy Footballing!

Round -14 - Bye week Part 1

As with every year, I get quite put out by each bye round. I have nothing to plan my weekend around. I always put the Manly game first, and do not like giving up watching it live for much at all. So this weekend, what am I to do?

I could re-live last years Grand Final win, or several games from this year that I have recorded, but there is something wanting when you already know the outcome of the game. It doesn't carry the same tension and suspense as a live game and I probably will end up critiquing the team - as if I know any better or could actually play any better.

So instead of criticising my own team, why not pick some of the teams I dislike the most, watch their game and revel in their mistakes, cheering on the opposing team just because I hate them a little less. Perhaps a challenge is needed to motivate me, and I think I may have just the challenge. 

I'm going to watch as many games as I can over the weekend - there is only four or five - and from those games I have to pick one outstanding player and say some nice things about him. 

So I didn't publish this before the first game, but I will now.... and I'll also give credit to some great players from tonights Melbourne vs Wests game:

First and foremost, what a great game from Beau Ryan. Man of the match in my eyes, as well as Keno's apparently. He played well at fullback considering he normally plays centre, Tim Moltzen was out injured, actually Tim Moltzen was ruled out after warm-up, so a great effort to play so well with so little prep.

Secondly, I thought that both sides played well considering they were missing players. Tigers have been on a winning streak and it did not surprise me that they won. I thought there were a few shady calls, but games are fast and sometimes you see things differently. I thought that Melbourne played well without their little trio of players and those filling in really stepped up to the challenge.

Finally, I don't think there could have been a finer example of the challenge I set than tonights game. I tipped Tigers to win but I am not a fan of that team at all. So there I was, torn between wanting to tip a good round and wanting Storm to win just so I could see the Tigers lose. I'm sorry to all the Wests fans out there, being a Sea Eagles supporter I understand what it is like reading about how much somebody else hates your team, but try as I may I don't know if I could ever cheer on the Tigers, please accept my apologies. Ahh, yes, I think that will do it for the Melbourne vs Wests review.

OK, so game two of the weekend was Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders. Two teams who have not been fairing particularly well over the last few weeks. It was an interesting game and I thought it was a very even match. The commentating was focusing on the poor defence efforts by both teams. In contrast I think that the Raiders did a much better job of defending their own goal compare to the Knights. The score at the end of the match was 32-16 to the Canberra Raiders.

Outstanding player? This was a hard one, I didn't feel as though many players really 'stood out', but if I had to pick one it would be Willie Mason. He proved to be one of the best defenders for the Knights and scored his first try for the season and first try as a Newcastle Knight. This try as well as his many runs really seemed to lift Newcastles spirit and through the TV, an otherwise quiet crowd of 15000, was heard.

Unfortunately I had picked Newcastle, but I have no beef with either of these teams and was disappointed for Newcastle - and my tipping streak - as much as I was pleased for the Canberra Raiders win. I think either team could have used the confidence boost from a win and unfortunately for Newcastle that was not the case.

Stay tuned for my 'outstanding player' for the rest of the games to come this weekend.... 

Round 13 - Manly Sea Eagles vs St George Dragons - Brookvale Oval 1st June 2012

Our first friday night home game of the season and the forecast was not looking good. Rain clouds hung darkly over Brookvale, but that did not deter me from going to cheer my boys on. Yes, I was going to be there rain, hail or shine. The wet weather gear was packed into the car, and we were prepared for a wet night on the Western Concourse.

Last night's match was a bit of a grudge match for me. My dad has, for as long as I can remember, been a Dragons fan and is definitely not too keen on the Sea Eagles. So, I knew coming into the match that whatever way the match was to go, we most likely will never speak of the game EVER.

I had the day off so we got to Brookvale Oval a little early and watched the last 25 minutes of the NYC Toyota cup game. Unfortunately we came off with a loss in that game. But I have some photos you can check out on the photo page. It was nice to get out and check out the up and coming talent.

Soon the crowds started pouring in. I was a bit unsure how big the crowd would get considering it was a friday night and it was meant to rain. As usual the crowd was electric. Absolutely alive. The boys ran out to warm up and it was so good seeing Kieran Foran back on the field, running and warming up with the team.

I was a little concerned as Nick Skinner and Liam Foran (18th and 19th man) were also warming up in their jerseys. I have never noticed more players than the listed 17 warming up before a match, if anyone has some insight, please share! I thought perhaps there might have been some doubt for Kieran or Anthony Watmough and maybe they were there just in case warm-up did not go according to plan.

At about 7:30 the rain started. I donned my wet weather gear as the boys were running back to the sheds. When I'd finally sorted myself out, the rain stopped. It stayed away most of the night, with the occasional sprinkle here and there.

St George ran out onto the field to a rather loud disapproving "boooo" from the crowd. Then our boys ran out on to the field with Jamie Lyon leading them. On an aside, one habit I have seen is that every time Jamie Lyon leads the boys on to field, just before he leaves the undercover shed he takes a swig of a drink and spits it as he takes his first steps onto the field. Just saying....


The crowd explodes with a massive cheer as they enter the field and prepare for kick off. We're facing north and we have the first kick off. Daly Cherry-Evans lines the boys up and starts the game off. From the whistle to the end Manly supporters are cheering on their team - or in the case of section WF, heckling St George and poor Ben Creagh. Unfortunately it was Creagh who copped an absolute onslaught of abuse from the crowd. I feel I must tell you that section WF is right behind the away teams bench, so every week some poor member of that team cops an absolute mouth full. I'm not so sure how much is in good Aussie heckling spirit, and how much is due to the alcohol the crowd has had.

Anyway, the game is underway and the Manly chant is sounding out across the field. The boys have a fire in their belly and they are out there all guns blazing. We get the ball close to the try line but can't seem to break the Dragons defence. We seem to be dominating possession in the opening minutes and it is looking promising for us. About six minutes in, the Dragons take the ball all the way down the field and are awarded two penalties in a row. The first penalty they decide to go for another six, on the blow of the second whistle they make the interesting decision to go for a penalty goal. Soward takes the kick and is successful opening the scoring.

Several sets are played and you can tell the Sea Eagles are itching for a try, itching to take the lead. We are awarded a penalty in front of the goal posts and choose to restart the tackle count. "Good!" we all cheer, "We know how to get real points!" Jamie Lyon puts a grubber kick in for Michael Oldfield who dives on it and picks up the first of his three tries for the night. Lyon successfully converts the try bringing the score to 6-2 to Manly. The crowd is ballistic!

The next 20 minutes pass without either side adding to their points. Watmough comes awfully close to getting the ball down, but it comes loose as he is tackled in goal. St George also have a close call when Vidot goes over the line, but is held up by Foran and company. As the video ref checks the footage out, the crowd are in uproar, "No try!", "Held up!" I think the video ref heard us all. The decision was, thankfully, no try.

Half time and the score is still 6-2. It is resembling a number of our previous games at half time. Low scoring, and not much distinguishing the two sides. During the first half, poor Kieran Foran looked as though he was about to pass out from exhaustion, he was seen limping a bit and breathless more often than not, however, that did not seem to deter him and he kept at it. He was involved in 22 tackles and proved why we are so glad to have seen him sign with Manly for a few more years.

The second half began and only four minutes in Oldfield scores another in the right hand corner. The crowd is on their feet cheering, clapping and encouraging our team on! Lyon misses the conversion and the score remains close at 10-2. There are still 35 minutes left in this game, and we all know it is not over yet. It's too close for anyone to be sitting comfortably, we are all on edge, waiting for the next try.

The next try does not come to us, Brett Morris breaks through our forward pack and runs a good 30 or 40 meters down the field before he is stopped by Brett Stewart. With our team struggling to get back onside, St George take their chance and are rewarded with a try as winger Daniel Vidot breaks through the line and places the ball down. The Dragons supporters are loud, it's really the first time that we have heard them all night. Soward converts the try and brings the score to a very, very uncomfortable 10-8. Manly still hold the lead but with more than 20 minutes on the clock, it is anybody's game.

The game gets a little slow and a little quiet. Both teams are playing good football and both teams are itching for that next try. In the 72nd minute Manly kicks on the 5th and Vidot takes the ball. About 5 Sea Eagles force him back into the in-goal area before being called held, this means a line-drop out for Manly and a crucial opportunity to extend their lead.

Oldfield secures his hat trick off a Brett Stewart ball and the fans explode into cheers. I, however, am losing my voice from all the yelling, screaming, cheering and heckling. My cheers are more like whispers at this stage, but it's the thought that counts, and I am sending telepathic congrats to my team. What can I say, we're tight like that! Another unsuccessful conversion and the teams are only separated by one converted try.

There are still four long minutes left in this game and the thought that is playing on everyones mind is golden point. I can't remember the last time we played for golden point. I do, however, remember the last time we tried to get a field goal, and failed. Soward and the Dragons have a good record with field goals as far as I know, they love their sneaky, sly one-pointers. Anything, anything but golden point.

St George try to take advantage of these four minutes with a short kick off, correct me if I'm wrong but I think it comes off the boot of Ben Hornby. Fortunately for us, and very unfortunately for St George it goes out on the full and the Sea Eagles, get their chance to extend the lead with a penalty. Darcy Lussick powers through the Dragons defence and lands himself neatly over the try line. It's done. We have won the game. Victory, sweet victory is ours, and everyone knows it. Jamie Lyon converts this one, for good measure and the next few sets are played out until finally the siren sounds.



The boys are all smiles as they do the rounds and the majority of the crowd is smiling as well. Nothing is sweeter than victory. After last weeks horrid effort against the Penrith Panthers, we needed this victory to prove something, if not to the world, to ourselves. We still have it, we are most definitely a force to be reckoned with, despite our depleted side week in and week out. Cheers to the freaking weekend!

All photos courtesy of Jasiah Ulbricht Photography

Round 11 - A very, very belated wrap up

Firstly, apologies for leaving this post for so long but there has been no time for me to write up last week's game. This will be brief, but I will add a fair few photos from the game taken by Jasiah Ulbricht Photography.

It was meant to be a cold and rainy day, that Sunday, so naturally I was rugged up and had my wet weather gear, Fortunately the rain stayed away most of the game, only a sprinkle here and there and just before the game started a rainbow appeared. A positive omen perhaps!

It was a very emotional game for me, which sounds a bit tragic, but it's just how I felt. We finally see Kieran Foran return to the field after being off with a hamstring injury and 16 minutes in he gets up from a tackle, limping. My heart dropped in my chest! He limps off the field on 'the hill' side and limps the entire way back to the sheds. After a few seconds of watching him limp alone, someone finally comes around to help him. I was so disappointed for him and hoping it wasn't his hamstring again and it was nothing too serious. Luckily coach Geoff Toovey had Liam on the interchange bench and he slotted in nicely to the already depleted side.


With Origin looming we had lost Brett and Glenn Stewart, Jamie Buhrer and Tony Williams, not to mention David 'Wolfman' Williams was also out injured, so the loss of Kieran during the game was not optimal. However we held on and got the victory in the end. At the game, the crowd seemed absolutely outraged at some of the calls that were made against them! We were all very vocal and not at all afraid to speak our mind. I sit behind the away teams bench, and the Roosters sure copped a mouthful from the crowd.

The try scorers for the match were Sea Eagles: Michael Oldfield, Daniel Harrison and Steve Matai. Jamie Lyon converts 3 from 4. Roosters: Sam Perret and Daniel Mortimer. Braith Anasta converts 1 from 2.