LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
In Round 12 of the Telstra NRL Premiership, the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles faced a tough defeat against the Parramatta Eels, losing 30-10 at CommBank Stadium.
Both teams experienced early injuries, with Eels centre Will Penisini leaving the game just 90 seconds in due to a category one head injury assessment after a collision with Lehi Hopoate.
Shortly thereafter, Manly half Jake Arthur also required medical assessment following a head knock in the sixth minute, leading to Lachlan Croker's unexpectedly early introduction to the match.
Manly scored first in the ninth minute when Lehi Hopoate made a successful dive into the northwestern corner.
This play involved a quick sequence on the left edge, showcasing a sharp pass from Tom Trbojevic and set up by a powerful run from Ethan Bullemor, assisted by Tolu Koula's skillful ball handling.
Despite the early advantage, the Sea Eagles struggled to maintain momentum and faced multiple challenges throughout the match.
Ultimately, the defeat highlighted areas for improvement as they look to rebound in subsequent games.