Manly Warringah has moved into the NRL’s top four with a win against all odds, overcoming an early injury to superstar fullback Tom Trbojevic to beat North Queensland 38-6.
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The Cowboys couldn’t have played a worse first half if they tried, coughing up 11 errors and giving up four penalties or set-restarts as the Sea Eagles soared.
Things could have soured early when Trbojevic limped off the field in the 13th minute with a hamstring injury but a first-half Lehi Hopoate double saw the visitors go into the sheds with a 16-point lead.
Whether in response to being hoisted in the headlines all week or just reverting to a game of rocks after a month of diamonds, Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater endured a forgettable milestone 150th appearance for the club.
Drinkwater spilt a bomb to gift Hopoate his second try of the game and struggled to make any impact with the ball in attack.
North Queensland were better after halftime after no doubt being lambasted by coach Todd Payten but the staunch Sea Eagles defence held them scoreless for the rest of the contest.
Veteran Manly halfback Jamal Fogarty wound back the clock with a terrific performance, grubbering to himself to set up a late Luke Brooks try while kicking six of his seven attempts at goal.
TURBO’S HAMSTRING HORROR
The Sea Eagles suffered a huge injury blow when superstar fullback Trbojevic limped off the field in the 13th minute after succumbing to a left hamstring complaint.
Trbojevic was tackled innocuously by Kai O’Donnell and Jason Taumalolo, staying down for an on-field assessment before leaving the field.
No.18 Clayton Faulalo came on to replace Trbojevic with Tolutau Koula moving to fullback, lighting up the field with his speed and footwork – but none of his plays were finer than a trysaving tackle on Braidon Burns to keep the Cowboys at bay.
The bad luck for the Trbojevic family continued with Jake leaving the field for an HIA later in the first half when a cut above his eye was reopened, but he passed and returned to play in the second half.
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Originally published as Manly suffer massive injury blow as Foran makes it three on the bounce
