Manly unveil finals charge as torrential conditions leave stars nervously awaiting punishment
The Warriors finals hopes are all but over as the Sea Eagles soared in the pouring conditions to claim a 24-10 victory on Friday.
While the hosts won by a convincing margin, the torrential conditions proved a costly factor for both teams with seven players placed on report.
Manly retaliated early at a bruising Warriors defence to leave Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad bloodied with Josh Aloiai the first name set for review.
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Josh Aloiai was placed on report for high contact. Fox League
Ben Trbojevic, Ethan Bullemor, and Demitric Sifakula followed with referee Chris Butler pinging the pair for high tackles.
A delayed hit by Manly's Reuben Garrick saw the winger penalised for a hip drop tackle as Nicoll-Klokstad slowly returned to his feet.
Meanwhile, the Warriors nervously wait confirmation on Chanel Harris-Tavita who was placed on report for a crusher tackle on Nathan Brown. Mitch Barnett was also given a warning during the first half.
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Earlier, Manly looked to be struggling in their hunt for glory as the Warriors restrained the Sea Eagles inside their own half, but the magic boot of skipper Cherry-Evans put his side back on track.
A sweeping back play caused an overlap on the right as Tom Trbojevic sent Jason Saab over out wide.
"Good things always happen around him," Steve 'Blocker' Roach said of the Manly skipper.
The Warriors looked sure to have hit back through Adam Pompey who powered over out wide, but the Bunker's review indicated Kurt Capewell had obstructed Daly Cherry-Evans.
Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad of the Warriors is tackled. Getty
However, the sorrows were soon turned as veteran halfback Shaun Johnson capitalised on the efforts of a powerful Addin Fonua-Blake charge to find the line.
"He's a special player isn't he? Fonua-Blake," Roach said.
Tom Trbojevic silenced the Warriors comeback with a brilliant four-pointer under the post to retain the lead.
Dallin Watene-Zelezniak closed the half with a signature high-flying try to level the scores at half time 10-10.
Manly dominated the second half, putting a further 16 points on the board to claim their 26-10 victory.
The second half came with some uncertainty for Manly as trainers attended slyly to injury-cursed Tom Trbojevic in the back of play.
Fox League sideline reporter Lara Pitt confirmed the star was being monitored for a pectoral injury and had requested trainers to "come over and have a look at him".
Tom Trbojevic. Getty
However, the concerns were quickly dismissed as the 27-year-old soldiered on to finish the match.
The win pushes the Sea Eagles into fifth place on the ladder, however, the position is subject to the result of the Canterbury Bulldogs clash on Saturday.