Sharks shine early and late to add to Manly's woes
Manly's NRL season is in a freefall, slumping to their fourth loss in five games after a lacklustre 30-14 defeat at the hands of Cronulla.
Second on the ladder after the opening two rounds, Manly threw away a chance to add to the list of NRL comebacks this weekend at Brookvale on Sunday.
The result kept Cronulla fifth, with Nicho Hynes and Briton Nikora impressing down the right edge, and Blayke Brailey having some nice moments.
But while Manly remain at the bottom of the top eight, the Sea Eagles look a long away from the team that set the competition alight over the opening month.
They have now lost three games in a row at home for the first time since 2022, and hold a 4-5 record despite playing six of their opening nine games at Brookvale.
The slump has largely coincided with Daly Cherry-Evans' announcement he would leave the club at year's end, after he revealed his plans at the end of round three.
Manly were well beaten on the scoreboard on Sunday, but had their chances to win the game.
After Cronulla burst out of the blocks to claim a 14-0 halftime lead, the hosts were back in the game when a Tolu Koula double made it 14-12 with 26 minutes left.
Luke Brooks then broke into open space from the kick-off and had a chance to send Koula over for his third, only for the centre to spill the pass back inside to him.
And while the Sea Eagles got the score back to 14-14 via a penalty goal, more errors proved costly.
Haumole Olakau'atu attempted to push an offload in their first set in tight space, prompting an error from Reuben Garrick.
Garrick then cleaned up a Sharks grubber-kick at the end of their next set, but spilled the ball at the last second and handed an easy try to Braydon Trindall.
From there, the floodgates opened.
Ronaldo Mulitalo and KL Iro both scored late, with Mulitalo's try coming from some nice lead-up play from a kicking Billy Burns.
Earlier, Manly had been well off in the first half, joining Brisbane with the most hot-and-cold attack in the competition.
While the Sea Eagles were clunky and Cherry-Evans threw two passes that led to errors, Cronulla seized their chances.
The Sharks' first try came when Brailey helped Nikora break through Manly's line with ease, getting Tom Trbojevic out of position for the next play.
From the play-the-ball, Hynes got the ball on the front foot and kicked for a chasing Mulitalo to dive over next to the posts.
Hynes was again involved in the Sharks' next, when Brailey skirted out of dummy-half and found the halfback, who put Addin Fonua-Blake over untouched.
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The Advertiser
2 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Exiled Knight poised to get nrl lifeline
JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed." JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed." JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed." JACKSON Hastings' wait is about to end. Hastings is expected to be named in the Knights No.7 jumper for the round-15 clash with the Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. It has been 316 days since the much maligned playmaker last appeared in the NRL - a 30-14 defeat to the Broncos in round 20 last season. On a contract worth $700,000 a year, Hastings has been overlooked in favour of Fletcher Sharpe, Jack Cogger, Phoenix Crossland, Tyson Gamble and Will Pryce. "For what we're trying to achieve at the moment, I don't believe Jackson could solve our issues," Knights coach Adam O'Brien said about Hastings last month. Hastings has been linked to a mid-season move amid talk that he was on the outer at the Knights. However, with Kalyn Ponga's selection for the Maroons in Origin II and Tyson Gamble sidelined with a broken thumb, Hastings' number has dropped. He was 18th man for the come-from-behind 26-22 triumph over Manly and his form in NSW Cup has been strong. In a 28-24 loss to the Dragons a fortnight ago, Hastings set up a try, ran 78 metres, made 23 tackles at 100 per cent and kicked a total of 538 metres. Sharpe will move to fullback to cover for Ponga, with Cogger shifting to five-eighth. However, Sharpe is under a slight injury cloud with a calf issue he sustained late against Manly. Tyson Frizell is out with concusion, with Tyrone Thompson likely to come into the 17. Bradman Best trained strongly on Monday and is a chance to return from a hamstring injury. Hastings is off-contract at the end of the year and has been linked with a return to the Super League. O'Brien has confirmed Hastings won't be at the Knights in 2026. "The club has also been upfront and honest that going forward he won't be offered a new deal," O'Brien said. The Roosters have been again hit heavy by Origin with Lindsay Collins and Robert Toia selected for Queensland and Angus Crichton, Connor Watson and Spencer Leniu in the Blues. Sam Walker is a strong chance to return to first grade after a playing his first game back from a knee reconstruction in NSW Cup. His return would likely come at the expense of Hugo Savala, with the halfback to earn a bench spot as cover. Mark Nawaqanitawase will shift to centre with Dom Young onto the right wing in what shapes as his final game for the Roosters before rejoining the Knights. The Knights are hoping the last-minute win against Manly can spark their season and end their struggles at home. They have won just two of six games at home so far this year and are 15th on the ladder. Newcastle fans booed the team off when they trailed Manly 16-0 at half-time, prompting O'Brien to react after the game. Club great Matty Johns initially criticised O'Brien for his fan attack on Thursday night, saying on Fox Sports: "That's a bit rough. "I'll tell you, those Newcastle people, from the days when I played right through we used to get booed sometimes and you cop it. Because those fans turn up even when it's pissing rain, hail, you're at the bottom of the ladder, they always turn up. "And I think they pay their money and they've supported that side for so long that I think they're entitled to air their grievances." But O'Brien made a swift apology to the supporters, calling a press conference on Friday morning to head off any fan revolt after realising he had erred in an emotional post-game response. And there is genuine hope the second-half turnaround in Manly is the trigger for an upward turn for the season. "Adam O'Brien after the game basically said the people who booed don't know rugby league," Johns said on his show on Sunday night. "To Adam's credit, the next morning he [came] out and apologised. "I think the fans there would understand and accept that apology. "There's one thing about it ... I think he should almost thank the fans. Because the fans were after a reaction [by booing] in that second half and they certainly got it. A win they really, really needed."
Perth Now
3 hours ago
- Perth Now
Plath knee injury takes Dolphins' pain to the max
The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job."
Sydney Morning Herald
2 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sharks suffer 40-10 defeat in the Shire as Warriors surge into top two
Loading Key posts 7.34pm Warriors embarrass Cronulla with 30-point shellacking 7.20pm Sharks suffer massive loss to Warriors 7.06pm Harris-Tavita goes himself to add to Warriors tally 6.58pm Warriors take 20-point lead 6.53pm Warriors charge to 14-point lead after Vaimauga scores 6.36pm Warriors strike first in second half as Fisher-Harris scores 6.19pm Warriors ahead by two at half-time 6.11pm Iro adds to Cronulla tally Hide key posts Latest posts Pinned post from 7.34pm Warriors embarrass Cronulla with 30-point shellacking By Christian Nicolussi WARRIORS 40, SHARKS 10 Maybe this really could be the year of the New Zealand Warriors. Coach Andrew Webster's men completely outplayed Cronulla on Saturday night to triumph 40-10. The Sharks were meant to be fresh off the bye and bounce back at home after a humiliating loss to the Sydney Roosters, but they were out-enthused all night by a side that made it win No.10 for the season. Luke Metcalf, a former Cronulla half, was his usual brilliant self, setting up the Warriors' first try, and producing some excellent tackles. Who will seriously deny Metcalf in the Dally M race should he stay fit? James Fisher-Harris and Jackson Ford ran the ball hard, Adam Pompey is a seriously big dude, Kurt Capewell's no-fuss attitude is exactly what his old club Brisbane need right now, Erin Clark is a contender for buy of the year (what were the Titans and Des Hasler thinking?), while late call-up Sam Healy, son of Sharks legend Mitch Healy, was also a handful out of dummy-half. Club legend Shaun Johnson said on Fox League after full-time: 'That was as complete a performance as I've seen from a Warriors side. There have been some good wins in the club's history dating right back, but there's something about this side that does hit different. It really does.' The Warriors have the bye next week before hosting the Panthers, who are likely to rest their Origin stars, followed by the Broncos, Wests Tigers, Newcastle and Gold Coast Titans. They have never won the premiership, but do not write them off this year. The rise and rise of the Warriors, along with Canberra and Canterbury, has breathed a new life into rugby league. A team that desperately needs some life breathed into their campaign is Cronulla. Some of the scenes late in their game at Shark Park were bad. A bit like Parramatta a few years ago under then coach Brad Arthur, Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon has stuck solid with the core group of players who suddenly look a little stale. It is hard to put the finger on what they need. They did beat the Storm last month, but the Roosters loss that followed was disappointing, while the Warriors display was even worse. They did not help themselves in the first half with their discipline. The penalties also came deep inside the Warriors' half, which allowed the visitors to keep marching down field when they should have been scrapping for every metre. Injuries have not been kind with KL Iro suffering a pec injury, but not before helping himself to a first-half four-pointer, the ninth consecutive game he has got across the line this year. One thing they could do is encourage Nicho Hynes to start running the ball more. He has barely tucked the ball under the arm and taken a carry this year, and the one time he did, just before half-time, he burst down field and put the Sharks on the attack. They probably should have led at the break, only for Braden Hamlin-Uele to grab a Braydon Trindall grubber, then have the ball knocked out of his hands in a contest with Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad. They host St George Illawarra next Thursday. 7.20pm Sharks suffer massive loss to Warriors That's full-time at Shark Park, where the Warriors have secured their 10th win of the season. It was a commanding victory for the visitors in the Shire, with the Sharks suffering their second massive loss in a matter of games. Dangerous signs for Cronulla – they have the team, but they struggle to find points, and they can't stop them either. Full-time: Warriors 40, Sharks 10 7.06pm Harris-Tavita goes himself to add to Warriors tally The Warriors are embarrassing Cronulla now, with Chanel Harris-Tavita breaking through to score. The Cronulla defenders don't even bother chasing anymore. They look defeated. Still plenty of minutes left in this match, but at this rate, the Sharks are in danger of having 50 put on them. 6.56pm Nico's view: Sharks look stale 6.53pm Warriors charge to 14-point lead after Vaimauga scores The Warriors have well and truly taken control of this match, with Demitric Vaimauga crossing under the posts. It was a late offload from Erin Clark that kept the play alive, before Luke Metcalf slipped through the Sharks defensive line before passing out to Vaimauga to score. This is impressive from the Warriors, they're finding points from nothing. 6.46pm Chance goes by for Sharks as Iro loses the ball Cronulla should have another try on the board, but KL Iro loses the ball as he's crossing the line after contact from Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. That's a big opportunity gone for the Sharks, who were lucky to get the ball back so close to the New Zealand line with a scrum feed. Warriors 18, Sharks 10 with 29 minutes to go 6.36pm Warriors strike first in second half as Fisher-Harris scores James Fisher-Harris come on down. The Warriors skipper goes through untouched after slipping between Cameron McInnes and Briton Nikora to score. The Warriors caught the Sharks sleeping there – Cronulla thought Fisher-Harris was the decoy runner. Warriors 18, Sharks 10 with 37 minutes to go 6.34pm Second half under way We're into the final 40 minutes at Shark Park, with Blayke Brailey taking the kick-off for Cronulla. Jackson Ford who takes the first carry for the Warriors. Warriors 12, Sharks 10 with 40 minutes to go 6.29pm The stats after 40 minutes
