The Sydney Roosters have overcome a Nathan Brown send-off and a late Manly onslaught to hang on for a 26-16 win that keeps their NRL finals hopes alive.
Staring at the prospect of missing the top eight for just the second time in the last ten years, Trent Robinson’s men had to defeat the Sea Eagles on Thursday night in front of a 12,197 crowd at the SCG.
Their victory wasn’t pretty but it will be a huge confidence boost as they attempt to claw their way up the ladder.
The win takes the Roosters up to 12th and one win outside of the eight, ahead of a run home which pits them against the Dolphins, Parramatta, Wests Tigers and South Sydney.
Brown will likely be absent for that season-defining stretch after the ex-Eels and Tigers forward was dismissed just after the hour mark for a high shot on Ben Trbojevic.
Brown had only been subbed on 30 seconds before he collared the Manly back-rower and left referee Ashley Klein with no option but to send him from the field.
It was the only blemish on a evening which could prove critical in the Roosters’ season, where the attack finally showed signs of spark and their defence displayed a return of their steely grit.
A first-half double from Daniel Tupou and a barge-over from Joey Manu helped the Tricolours run out to an 18-2 halftime lead.
Reuben Garrick’s penalty goal had opened the scoring for the Sea Eagles from right in front.
Manu added his second after the break with centre Billy Smith and winger Joseph Suaalii also finding their way across the stripe.
Brown’s send-off allowed Manly to hit back with tries to Brad Parker, Josh Schuster and Tolutau Koula coming in the final quarter of an hour, but that was the only time the Roosters’ line relented.
It was all too little too late for Anthony Seibold’s side who sit one point ahead of the Roosters.
They lost prop Matt Lodge to a knee injury early on Thursday, his absence adding to a growing list of sidelined front-rowers that includes Josh Aloiai, Taniela Paseka and Sean Keppie.
