LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
'Gut-wrenching': Tom Trbojevic's injury setback devastates the rugby league community
The Sea Eagles have taken control of their destiny for a home final, but a cruel blow has thrown a spanner in the works.
Manly has set themselves up nicely for a home elimination semi-final in the first week of the finals, but their hard-fought 34-22 victory over the Bulldogs has come at a price.
Putting their previous loss to the Tigers firmly in the rearview mirror, the Sea Eagles soared over the red-hot Bulldogs in front of a jam-packed crowd at Allianz Stadium.
With the Bulldogs and Cowboys having already played and tied on 34 competition points each, the Sea Eagles now sit just one point behind.
A victory next week against the Cronulla Sharks would secure a home semi-final for Manly, no matter the outcome of the Bulldogs-Cowboys showdown.
Even in the unlikely scenario of a draw between Canterbury and North Queensland, Manly would leapfrog into sixth place thanks to their superior points differential over the Cowboys.
It's a tough break for Tom Trbojevic and the Sea Eagles, but they'll be looking to regroup and push on towards their finals dream.