LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles were defeated 48-24 by the Melbourne Storm in Round 5, marking their first loss at home this season.
The Storm got off to a strong start with new signing Stefano Utoikamanu scoring first after receiving a pass from Cameron Munster.
Munster then scored a try himself, showcasing his skills by stepping past two defenders.
Jahrome Hughes contributed to the Storm's success with a well-placed pass that allowed Grant Anderson to score in the southwestern corner.
The Storm continued to dominate in the second half, with Anderson scoring his second try eight minutes in.
Melbourne then went on a scoring spree, netting four tries in a 10-minute period to secure a comfortable lead.
Despite their efforts, the Sea Eagles were unable to mount a comeback and ultimately fell short against the Storm's strong performance.
While the loss was disappointing for the Sea Eagles, there were still positive moments to take away from the game.
Coach Des Hasler acknowledged the team's effort, stating, "the boys never gave up, they kept fighting till the very end." Additionally, the experience gained from competing against a top team like the Storm will be valuable as the season progresses.
Overall, the match was a learning opportunity for the Sea Eagles as they faced a tough opponent on their home turf.
The players will need to regroup and focus on improving for future games.
As Hasler emphasized, "We will learn from this and come back stronger next time."
Moving forward, the Sea Eagles will use this defeat as motivation to work harder and refine their strategies.
While the loss was disappointing, the team remains determined to bounce back and continue their pursuit of success in the competition.
As Hasler summed it up, "We will dust ourselves off and be ready for the next challenge."