The Manly Sea Eagles have progressed through to the NRL semifinals, coming from behind to defeat the Canterbury Bulldogs 24-22. The Bulldogs held a 22-12 lead in the second half but imploded late, conceding crucial penalties and knock-ons to gift Manly the chance to snatch victory. A late try to Manly centre Tolutau Koula won the game for Manly, after the Sea Eagles decided to run the ball from their own end on a sixth-tackle play.
Manly's players look in as much shock as their opponents after coming from behind to win the elimination final over the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs were so dominant but were beaten by a courageous Manly side. And it was this try which won it Manly — one of the great finals tries.
Manly's Late Surge
The Bulldogs had looked in control for much of the game, dominating territory and field position. However, a series of errors and penalties in the final quarter allowed Manly to claw their way back into the game.
“They have absolutely shot themselves in the foot in the last 15 minutes,” ABC Sport caller Andrew Moore said. “I think they're in a state of disbelief. They're doing some stupid things,” ABC Sport sideline eye John Gibbs added.
The Turning Point
The turning point came with 15 minutes remaining when Manly, down by 10 points, decided to run the ball on the last tackle from their own 30-meter line. The gamble paid off, with Daly Cherry-Evans finding Tom Trbojevic who made a half-break and offloaded to Tolutau Koula who raced away for a crucial try.
“Manly have run the ball on last tackle — from their OWN 30-METRE LINE. And they have scored. Daly Cherry Evans passes inside to Tom Trbojevic who makes a half-break. Tommy Turbo offloads and the Sea Eagles send the footy to the left. The ball is with Tolutau Koula who is in space, AND HE MAKES THREE DOGS MISS,” ABC Sport commentator Michael Doyle said.
Bulldogs' Discipline
The Bulldogs' discipline was a major factor in their downfall. Back-to-back penalties in the second half gave Manly the field position that led to their first try, and a penalty against Reed Mahoney - his third of the game - led to their most recent score.
ABC Sport caller Luke Lewis said the Bulldogs had been dominant but feared their ill-discipline could be fatal. “Canterbury have been dominant... Manly haven't played well, and they've scored 18 points,” Lewis said.
Manly's Resilience
The Sea Eagles' resilience was evident throughout the game, as they refused to give up despite being outplayed for much of the first half. Cherry-Evans was particularly impressive, producing two big plays that turned the tide of the game. His pinpoint kick that led to Manly's second try and a long goal-line dropout that took away Canterbury's territory advantage were crucial moments.
“Arguably the best half of the finals weekend has come to an end. The Canterbury Bulldogs were outstanding in the opening 40 minutes, scoring three tries and winning the physical battle. But Manly hung in there and scored two tries, including a vital try in the 37th minute. Manly have had limited chances, and have made the most of them,” ABC Sport commentator Michael Doyle said.
A Tense Finish
The final 10 minutes of the game were tense, with both teams having chances to win. The Bulldogs were in a position to seal the game but a series of unforced errors, including a dropped high kick that led to Manly's third try, allowed the Sea Eagles to stay in contention.
“The Bulldogs lead 22-18, but the ABC Sport commentary team cannot quite belive the game is in the balance. ‘Canterbury might be self-destructing before our very eyes,’ — Andrew Moore. ‘The Bulldogs can't believe Manly are within four points. That's the amazing thing.’ — John Gibbs. ‘All Canterbury have to do is keep doing what they're doing.’ — Luke Lewis,” ABC Sport commentator Michael Doyle said.
Manly's Next Challenge
The Sea Eagles will now face a tough challenge in the semifinals, but their victory over the Bulldogs is a testament to their resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Their comeback victory will undoubtedly inspire confidence in the Manly camp as they prepare for their next challenge.
Bulldogs' Disappointment
The Bulldogs will be disappointed with their loss, but they can take some positives from their performance. They were dominant for much of the game and showed that they have the potential to be a force to be reckoned with in the future. They will need to work on their discipline and decision-making, but with a little more consistency, they can be a real contender in 2025.
A Game to Remember
This elimination final will be remembered as a classic, with Manly's dramatic comeback one of the great finals stories. The Bulldogs will be kicking themselves for their late implosion, but the Sea Eagles will be celebrating their hard-fought victory and looking forward to the challenge of the semifinals.
The Road Ahead
Manly’s victory sets up a highly anticipated semifinal against the Cronulla Sharks, who overcame a late challenge from the Parramatta Eels in a hard-fought qualifying final. The Sharks will be looking to avenge their round 19 loss to the Sea Eagles, who will be eager to prove that they can beat the top teams in the competition.
The Bulldogs, despite their disappointment, will be hoping to bounce back stronger next season. They have a young and talented squad with the potential to achieve great things. However, they will need to address their discipline and inconsistency issues if they want to be a serious contender for the premiership.
The 2024 NRL finals series has been full of surprises, and the elimination final between the Manly Sea Eagles and the Canterbury Bulldogs was no exception. The Sea Eagles' dramatic comeback victory is a testament to the unpredictable nature of the game and the importance of never giving up. The Bulldogs will be looking to learn from their mistakes and come back stronger next season, while the Sea Eagles will be aiming for a premiership title.
