LeagueNews.co | Nick Loken
The Sea Eagles have emerged victorious in a tense clash against the Bulldogs, coming out on top with a thrilling 24-22 win in a knockout semi-final showdown at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
In a nail-biting encounter that had fans on the edge of their seats, Manly found themselves trailing 22-12 with just 25 minutes remaining.
But in true underdog fashion, the Sea Eagles fought back with determination and grit, scoring crucial tries through the magical playmaking of Daly Cherry-Evans and the speed of Tolu Koula to keep their season alive.
The Bulldogs drew first blood early in the match, capitalizing on a mistake by Tom Trbojevic to score a try through Jacob Kiraz.
However, Manly quickly responded with a slick try from Tommy Talau, courtesy of some swift passing from Trbojevic and Koula, to take the lead.
Despite the Bulldogs pushing ahead with another try, the Sea Eagles refused to back down.
In a moment of sheer brilliance, Lehi Hopoate rose high in the air to claim a bomb, before offloading to Ethan Bullemor who danced past defenders to score under the posts.
It was a seesaw battle of momentum and skill, with both teams leaving everything out on the field.
But in the end, it was Cherry-Evans who rose to the occasion, leading his team to a well-deserved victory and setting up a tantalizing showdown with the Roosters in the next round.
The Sea Eagles will need to dig deep and tap into their fighting spirit as they prepare for another fierce challenge in the quest for glory.