Player ratings for the Manly Sea Eagles team in their Telstra Premiership semi-final clash with the Sydney Roosters at BB Print Stadium, Mackay.
1. Tom Trbojevic: Maybe the worst thing for the Roosters was Turbo being kept quiet by the Storm last week. The superstar fullback responded with a vengeance, bagging two tries, setting up another and producing three line breaks. Ran like a man possessed before getting a 15-minute early mark. 9/10
2. Jason Saab: Made amends for an early error when he dashed down the right touchline and provided Morgan Harper with a first-half try. Claimed a trademark runaway four-pointer in the second half. 7.5
3. Brad Parker: With great respect and affection, the red-haired centre is the epitome of solid but unspectacular. He was exactly that once again, giving a good account of himself without stealing any headlines. 7
4. Morgan Harper: Much improved after a tough night against Melbourne. Solid defensively, chalking up 21 tackles with only two misses as well as 106 metres. A try and nice offload to send Saab streaking away to score. 8
Turbo on the left, Turbo on the right.
5. Reuben Garrick: Ran the ball with energy and intent, gaining 143 metres from 13 runs. In fine form with the boot, nailing seven goals from as many attempts. 7.5
6. Kieran Foran: The veteran five-eighth's resurrection continued with another favourable performance. Collected a try after some magic by the Trbojevic brothers. 7
DCE continues the powerful start for Manly
7. Daly Cherry-Evans: Big-game experience and class came to the fore. All too easy as he produced a devastating left-foot step to score from a scrum. Superb short-side play to spark Harper's try. 8.5
8. Josh Aloiai: Bookended the match with more-than-serviceable stints. Narrowly denied his first try of the season in what would have been a reward for effort. 7
9. Lachlan Croker: Made a difference in his return from injury. Didn't run the ball but provided slick dummy-half service and reliable defence. Among the most improved players in the competition. 7.5
16. Sean Keppie: Promotion to the starting team was a Des Hasler masterstroke. Arguably the best forward on the field as Manly seized the early ascendancy. Bent the line with strength and subtle footwork. 8.5
11. Haumole Olakau'atu: Not quite as explosive as in other matches but did what was required, collecting more than 100 metres. A pile-driving tackle on Fletcher Baker was one for the highlight reel. 8
12. Josh Schuster: With so many other stars shining, the talented 20-year-old's vast skill took a back seat. Well contained, making 43 metres from 10 runs. 6.5
DCE leads shortside raid which ends up as a try to Harper
13. Jake Trbojevic: Sometimes criticised for passing more than he runs but nailed his role when it counted. Brilliant sleight of hand to set up a try and contributed to another with a line break. Made 119 metres. 8.5
Reserves
10. Martin Taupau: Came into the fray with gusto, pumping out 140 metres from 15 carries. A luxury to bring such a dynamic front-rower off the bench. 8
Walker through the middle and sells Tedesco a dummy
14. Dylan Walker: A fantastic point of difference. Granted, Manly were already dominating when he was injected, but his stats tell the story of a wonderful game: a try, a line break, a line-break assist and 160 metres. 8.5
15. Karl Lawton: Didn't have much of a chance to make an impact, only playing the final 19 minutes. 6
17. Taniela Paseka: Injected midway through the second half and crammed a lot of work into 29 minutes including 70 metres from nine runs. 7
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.
