Sin bin, HIAs and three players on report as Dragons deny Sea Eagles in 'bizarre game of rugby league'
Updated . First published at
The Dragons have handed the Sea Eagles a third consecutive loss after triumphing 20-18 at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night.
Winger Tyrell Sloan starred for the Dragons with a double but the match was not without casualties, with Hamish Stewart (concussion) and Mathew Feagai (ankle) failing to finish for the Red V.
"What a bizarre game of rugby league," Phil Gould said on Nine's coverage.
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Tyrell Sloan of the Dragons celebrates with teammates after scoring a try against the Sea Eagles. Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
Manly found themselves a man down early with Jake Trbojevic ruled out by a category one concussion following a collision with David Klemmer in the seventh minute.
After repeatedly challenging the Sea Eagles' line, the Dragons broke through to open the scoring in the 18th minute.
Sloan crossed untouched in the corner after he was set up by an overhead pass from Clint Gutherson.
In another blow to Manly, Jazz Tevaga left the field for a HIA after being cleaned up in a tackle. However, the hooker returned to start the second half.
On the cusp of half time, Valentine Holmes added two points to the Dragons' tally after slotting a penalty goal from directly in front.
The joint venture elected to kick after Damien Cook was collected high by Nathan Brown.
Cook subsequently left the field for a HIA after getting up gingerly but was cleared to return.
Despite the Dragons dominating the opening 40 minutes, their control was not reflected on the scoreboard with only an 8-nil lead at the main break.
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The Sea Eagles burst out of the blocks in the second half but the Red V quickly applied the brakes.
Sloan scored his second of the match after picking up the Steeden, which had been knocked on by Ben Trbojevic close to the Dragons' line, and sprinting 90 metres downfield.
Manly finally hit the scoreboard after Tolutau Koula crossed in the 49th minute.
It was at this point that the match was turned on its head.
In controversial scenes, Toafofoa Sipley was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle on Mathew Feagai.
Sipley was given his marching orders after Feagai slipped and was collected high by Siosiua Taukeiaho. The prop was subsequently penalised too — a call Phil Gould labelled "totally unfair".
Feagai had to be helped from the field after suffering an ankle injury in the incident.
Toafofoa Sipley sin binned Nine
With the momentum swinging in Manly's favour, Reuben Garrick booted a 39-metre penalty goal to bring the Sea Eagles within a converted try, before Trbojevic was put over to lock up the score.
With Sipley still in the bin, Jacob Liddle danced around the Sea Eagles' defence to score on the fifth tackle and regain the lead for the Red V.
But Manly quickly responded as Daly Cherry-Evans chipped to Jason Saab, who then cleared Sione Finau to score in the corner.
Garrick missed a crucial conversion to level the score before Manly bombed several chances to rescue the match.
Cherry-Evans rolled the dice on a two-point field goal but botched the kick.
To add to Manly's woes, Luke Brooks was placed on report for a high shot in the second half.
Haumole Olakau'atu also faces trouble after he avoided the sin bin for another high tackle in the final moments.
Haumole Olakau'atu's high shot. Nine
Next week, the Dragons play the Roosters at Allianz Stadium while Manly are up against the Panthers.
