11-05-2025
NRL 2025: Cronulla Sharks lead, lose lead and surge again in 30-14 win over Manly Sea Eagles
Yet another Sea Eagles mistake followed to start the second half. And then the locals produced one of the tries of the season.
A dropped ball from Trindall was latched onto by Haumole Olakau'atu on his own 10-metre line before he took off up-field and grubbered on the first tackle of the set.
Jason Saab and Reuben Garrick managed to make their passes stick at full flight, Koula kept up with them and scored, and just like that, Manly were back.
When Koula stepped back against the grain for his second, and Garrick knocked over a 61st-minute penalty goal, it was level pegging once more, and the first half was a distant memory.
Following the lead of the Gold Coast, South Sydney, Canterbury, St George Illawarra and North Queensland in mowing down double-figure leads this weekend (though the Dragons lost by a point), Manly were back.
But just as suddenly, so were Cronulla. Their late blitz leaves them in outright fifth on the ladder, with clear skies ahead. Or at least, eight of their next 14 games at home, along with three byes.
The Sharks have earned a reprieve given their travels have taken them from Las Vegas to Townsville, then Canberra and Perth, Newcastle and Brisbane. They host Melbourne next week.
Manly head to North Queensland with one half of footy to work with at least. The other is best razed from memory.
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