Rnd 14 Match Review - Wests v Manly

A change of coach brought little relief for Western Suburbs, who experienced a case of Deja Vu in going down for the second time this season to arch-enemy Manly by 46-8.

The departure of Trevor Schodel brought Magpies SG Ball coach Jason Williams into the hot seat, but it was a case of same old for the Magpies, with a dropped ball on the very first tackle of the match bringing the Sea Eagle’s first try in the first minute, with a left side spread seeing Trent Reilly dash over in the corner.

Liam Foran failed to add the extras, leaving Manly 4-0 up inside two minutes.

Wests had an opportunity to hit back almost immediately after the Eagles spilt the ball. The dropped ball saw a little push and shove, with Aaron Sweeney in the centre of the action.

A bomb from the Magpies saw Henry Godinet with a tricky opportunity, but his opposite number combined with the dour weather to see Godinet drop the ball over the line.

Godinet’s hands failed him again at the end of Manly’s next set, with a far worse outcome for the visitors, with Manly lock Nick Skinner on hand to take advantage of the spill to post Manly’s second try after five minutes.

Liam Foran fared much better from in front, leaving Manly 10-0 up inside seven minutes.

The errors stopped for all of three sets before Manly found themselves over the line once more, with Rhys Wollaghan this time on the end of another left hand raid.

Liam Foran added the extras for a 16-0 Manly lead after 11 minutes and another rout looked on the cards.

However, the scoring slowed considerably after the first three tries, with both sides failing to capitalise on opportunities from kicks.

Wests posted their first points of the afternoon after 21 minutes, with a penalty for a steal helping the Magpies into position.

A bomb from Nigel MIllgate brought airswings from all contestants with Henry Godinet on hand to make amends for his earlier error.

Millgate was unsuccessful with his conversion attempt, Manly up 16-4 after 24 minutes.

It only took Wests five minutes to go in again and in very similar fashion to their first try.

On this occasion, a Millgate bomb deflected off hands for Godinet to post his second try.

In difficult conditions, the conversion was again unsuccessful, leaving Manly in front 16-8 which is where the score stayed at half time, although both sides had chances to post further points.

The second half started just like the first, with the ball going to ground on the second play of the half.

The Magpies almost found themselves with their third try, however the ball proved elusive and Manly touched down for a dropout.

Manly made Wests pay for missing their chance on 45 minutes, with an inch perfect kick through from Gary Riccardi finding Tim Burrell following through to score.

Liam Foran hit the woodwork leaving Manly up 20-8.

Poor handling and discipline punctuated the next ten minutes, before Junior Palau tucked the ball under his arm and bounced out of two tackles to score under the posts.

Liam Foran made no mistake and the Sea Eagles were up 26-8 after 54 minutes.

A penalty to Manly for offside allowed some quality territorial gain and Tim Burrell stormed onto an exceptional short ball from Gary Riccardi for his second try of the afternoon.

Liam Foran was successful from close range with his conversion attempt for a 32-8 lead with a quarter of the game remaining.

Manly then provided a textbook example of high pressure football over the next ten minutes.

Unlucky not to find the line after being held up, Michael Chapman crossed after what could charitably be described as a flat pass from Gary Riccardi.

A wide kick from Foran failed to find the mark, with Manly cruising at 36-8.

Following up from a Magpies dropout, Trent Reilly posted his second try of the afternoon off a 3 on 2 overlap.

Taking over from Liam Foran, Michael Chapman hooked the conversion attempt for Manly to lead 40-8 with 11 minutes remaining.

Defence took a back seat in the final ten minutes, with both sides finding plenty of space.

However it was the Sea Eagles who finished off with the final four pointer of the day, with Ben Shorter finishing off a sweeping backline movement on the right flank.

Michael Chapman added the extras for a repeat scoreline from round one at Lidcombe Oval.

For Manly, Gary Riccardi played with spiders on him, while the two Liams - Foran and Higgins – providing an excellent spine.

For Western Suburbs, Tuki Jackson and Tom Morrison stood out with hooker Dean Parata again leading the way for the Magpies.

Next week, Manly are at home to the Illawarra Cutters while Western Suburbs welcome Newcastle to Campbelltown, both matches kicking off at 3pm Saturday.


MANLY 46 (Trent Reilly 2, Tim Burrell 2, Nick Skinner, Rhys Wollaghan, Junior Palau, Michael Chapman, Ben Shorter tries; Liam Foran 4 from 7, Michael Chapman 1 from 2) def Western Suburbs 8 (Henry Godinet 2 tries; Nigel Millgate 0 from 2)

Half time: Manly 16 Wests 8

Penalties: Wests 5 Manly 4


MANLY

1. Domenic Nasso
2. Trent Reilly
3. Ben Shorter
4. Rhys Wollaghan
5. Michael Chapman
6. Liam Foran (c)
7. Gary Riccardi
8. Magnus Stromquist
9. Liam Higgins
10. Tim Robinson
11. Jason Annear
12. Tim Burrell
13. Nick Skinner

14. Ben Falcone
15. Jamie Anderson
17. Junior Palau
21. James Cunningham



WESTERN SUBURBS

1. Zoram Watene
13. Danie La Manna
21. Tuki Jackson
4. Michael Lekkas
5. Henry Godinet
9. Chris Nay
7. Nigel Millgate ©
8. Jay Maseuli
6. Dean Parata
22. Aaron Sweeney
11. Mundarra Weldon
12. Seffa Silafua
17. Tom Morrison

14. Keanu Rogers
15. Henry Iuta
16. Alan Daley
24. Latu Fifita