In case we needed another reminder of just how amazing the game of Rugby League can be, the NRL served up fans a mouthwatering clash on Friday night between the Sea Eagles at favoured stomping ground Brookvale Oval and the red hot Bulldogs lead by try scoring freaks Josh Morris and Ben Barba. With enough story lines to write a best seller coming into the contest, the performances on the field gave us a game that looked more like an Origin or Grand Final contest with the Bulldogs once again making a huge statement walking out of Brookie with a 20-12 victory and for now sitting alone atop the NRL ladder.
The return of Des Hasler to Brookvale to take on the team he spent over 450 games with as a player and coach was always going to deliver fireworks, Manly made their intentions clear early, venomous tackles galore from all over the park at the Dogs ball carriers, enough to send the gargantuan "Dogzilla" Sam Kasiano off the field in the 10th minute with a suspected fractured cheekbone. The Dogs however absorbed everything Manly was able to throw at them early and the likes of James Graham and Aiden Tolman continued to soldier up field. In a clash of two forward packs loaded with massive men, perhaps none stood taller than the brutal Frank Pritchard. Despite the thunderous hits Manly were attempting to throw, Frank the Tank ran hard and tall all night, always looking dangerous, always freeing up his arms and looking to offload.
Anyone who knows anything about League knows full well that there's no more exciting name in the game right now than Ben Barba and once again he stamped his mark on this one. The enigmatic fullback kicked off the scoring with the first of two tries that really summarise the type of magical, everything goes his way form he is in right now. Stabbing through a grubber that was scooped up by his opposing fullback Dean Whare, he was soon the recipient of an inexplicable offload from Whare as he was being ushered towards the sideline. A slight hesitation step from Barba was all that was required to see him cruising in for yet another try.
It was not all glory for the X Factor though as he watched Manly co captain Jamie Lyon get his teams account under way. Barba was shadowing a Cherry Evans kick over the deal ball line, unaware of the lurking Lyon who pounced on the momentary lapse of the man who seemingly could do no wrong until that point. Manly valiantly fought their back into the game, persisting with their physical play trying to beat the Bulldogs into submission but the magician from Darwin was not done for the evening. With the Dogs barely holding on to a 2 point lead, Barba ripped away any hope from the Brookvale faithful in another stroke of brilliance, putting a kick through that proceeded to bounce off the padding of the goal post and perfectly into his hands to see him cross over for his second and the trade mark smile on display once again. His work under the high ball was also fantastic with a couple of body on the line Billy Slater like takes, and his defense saw him make a pair of critical try saving tackles.
The Bulldogs also saw halfback Kris Keating out of the game with the hamstring injury in the 21st minute, but once again five-eight Josh Reynolds showed why he may just be wearing a different shade of Blue in his future. His performance was once again tenacious and aggressive. At one point he was seemingly knocked out trying to tackle the hulking Tony Williams, but only minutes later he was out for revenge, rushing up out of the line to put a hit on the T-Rex, and then proceeding to get up and make a tackle around the ankles of the next ball carrier. His style of play is going to be a real joy to watch come playoff time and it was none too surprising to see him and his opposite number Kieran Foran start to go at it, two guys who approach the game very similarly. Reynolds just seems up for anything, whatever you throw at him he'll soak it up and then go looking for more.
No comments:
Post a Comment