Blog: Staying in the grind to seal comeback victory

Post match

Wests Tigers 

Warriors

Full-time: What a game! Warriors hold on for a 26-24 win. It was a hectic end to the match with the Tigers throwing out everything to try and steal back the lead, but would have a few moments they would love to have back, including kicking the ball out when trying to toe it ahead and playing the ball without a dummyhalf present, gifting the ball back to the Warriors. 

72nd min: And now, the Warriors are back in front with Metcalf booting over a penalty goal after Seyfarth was pinged for a high tackle on Nicoll-Klokstad. Warriors up 26-24. 

69th min: Ridiculous Warriors try from Leka Halasima. He gets the ball 30 metres out from his own line, runs down the right sideline, stepping his way out of would-be tacklers, celebrates before he gets the ball down - but gets his side right back in the game. Metcalf converts and we are once again - all locked up at 24-24. 

67th min: Successful captain's challenge from the Tigers with the Bunker agreeing that Galvin was pushed into a ball on it's way out over the deadball line. 

66th min: Tigers are denied the chance to pull further in front when Bula is ruled to take advantage of an obstruction, another let off for the Warriors. 

60th min: It's all happening. Latu Fainu is put on report for a dangerous tackle after dropping at the knees of Mitch Barnett. Tempers flare with the Warriors taking offence at the tackle. Terrell May then gives up a penalty, followed by one from Luai, giving the Warriors an attacking chance. However, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad is ruled offside after he touches down on a ball with a messy lead up and the Tigers hold onto their lead.

56th min: The Tigers are on a roll ... or are they? No try ruled after Terrell May celebrated scoring his first try for his new club, but he's lost it in his attempt to get the ball down. A huge let off for the Warriors who have been disoriented after they squandered their chance to score back-to-back tries to open the second half. 

52nd min: Latu Fainu, a late call-up into the side, goes through an ENORMOUS gap, catching the Warriors out in defence to put the Tigers in front. Andrew Webster will be filthy at the lack of concentration, while Benji Marshall will be lauding the fighting spirit of his side. Koroisau kicks the conversion from in front for a 24-18 lead.

49th min: The end-to-end play continues and this time it's the Tigers who score with Solomona Faataape going over out wide after a deft kick from Galvin goes in behind defenders. Koroisau's conversion attempt from the left sideline goes over and scores are locked up again at 18-18. 

47th min: Crowd favourite Bunty Afoa gets over the line for the Warriors, but swarming Tigers defence does well to hold him up. The Warriors then push the pass in their attempts to go over, with a pass from Metcalf going over the touchline.

45th min: Luai is put on report for a high tackle on Edward Kosi who was bringing the ball back for the Warriors. Moments later, Kosi is taken from the field for a HIA which he later passed. 

41st min: After giving up the momentum before the half-time break, the Warriors have claimed it back again early in the second half, scoring a try in the opening minute through Metcalf who rang in under the posts. He converts his own try for an 18-12 lead.

Injury update: Turuva has cleared his HIA and is back on the field.

Half-time: An entertaining half comes to a close with the teams locked up at 12-12. Despite the very wet conditions at Campbelltown, both teams have produced some some flashy play to score their tries. The Tigers have a few injury concerns, with Adam Doueihi ruled out in the warm up, while second rower Samuela Fainu also came off in the first half with a leg injury. 

38th min: A great hit-back from the Tigers just before half-time, with Starford To'a scoring against the run of play after a short pass from Lachlan Galvin puts Alex Seyfarth into a hole to get him bursting downfield before passing outside to his back. Tallyn Da Silva bends the sideline conversion over to draw level at 12-12. 

35th min: Marata Niukore goes over for the Warriors to finally capitalise on plenty of possession in their attacking area. The big man uses his strength to go past the smaller Jarome Luai. The Warriors were denied just moments before with the Tigers holding Wayde Egan up over the line, but they hit back almost instantly. Metcalf kicks the extras for a 12-6 lead.

Injury update: Backrower Samuela Fainu is off for the Tigers with a leg injury. A category 2 HIA for Sunia Turuva sees him off the field for the time being as well.

11th min: The home side hit back with prop Fonua Pole crashing over, with the Tigers capitalising on a penalty and a set restart given up by the visitors. Api Koroisau slots the extras to draw scores level 6-6.

4th min: Adam Pompey shows immense strength and good footwork on his way to scoring the first try of the match for the Warriors. Originally named on the wing on Team List Tuesday, he was later moved back to the centres when Rocco Berry was ruled out earlier in the week. Luke Metcalf coverts for an early 6-0 lead. 

1st min: Warriors show their intent early, pushing Wests Tigers Jahream Bula back into his in-goal to earn a line drop out. However, the home side do well to get the ball back with a short kick off.

Pre-game: The Tigers honour the career of PNG star Justin Olam who announced his retirement earlier this week. 

Late Late Mail

Wests Tigers: In bad news for Tigers fans before a ball has even been kicked,  Adam Doueihi has been ruled out after injuring his groin in the warm up. Jack Bird comes into the centres from the bench. Latu Fainu comes onto the bench, with Tony Sukkar the new replacement player. 

Late Mail

Wests Tigers: Blockbusting winger Jeral Skelton has been ruled out after suffering a hamstring injury against the Dolphins. Solomona Faataape is the player called in to replace Skelton after he failed to come up. Back-rower Samuela Fainu came off early at Kayo Stadium but he is good to go. No late changes an hour from kick off with Latu Fainu remaining as 18th player.

Warriors: Bunty Afoa is set to join the bench after Dylan Walker was granted an immediate release on compassionate grounds on Wednesday. Adam Pompey reverts to the centres after being initially being chosen to replace Roger Tuivasa-Sheck on the wing, with Ed Kosi coming into the side. Rocco Berry, who had been named in the centres for his first game of the season after overcoming a shoulder injury, is the player to make way for Kosi. No late changes an hour from kick off with Te Maire Martin confirmed as 18th player.

Sea Eagles v Eels at 4 Pines Park

Post match:

Sea Eagles

Parramatta Eels

Fulltime: Manly Sea Eagles put a tumultuous week behind them and secure a 26-12 win, relegating the Eels to their fourth straight loss. Captain Daly Cherry-Evans was solid after a week garnering plenty of off-field headlines after confirming his departure from the club at the end of the season. In bad news to come out of the win for the home fans, Tom Trbojevic was sidelined at half-time and did not take part in the second half, reportedly suffering from an MCL injury. 

79th min: Shaun Lane goes over for a consolation try, with Lomax successful with his conversion attempt to narrow the scores to 26-12.

78th min: In a passage of play that sums up the afternoon for Parramatta, Isaiah Iongi links up with Sean Russell to put him over on the right side ... but the pass is called forward. The Eels have tried hard and kept in touch with Manly, but could not muster enough to trouble them on the scoreboard.

67th min: Manly go bang-bang with Tolutau Koula crossing after hitting a hole hard, after being put into space by Hopoate. He was running so hard that he almost touched the deadball line with his arm, but all cleared. Garrick is successful again to put the home side out 26-6. 

62nd min: Corey Waddell gives the home side some breathing space, scoring the first try of the second half for Manly with a relatively easy go at the line. Garrick again slots the conversion, with the Sea Eagles now out in front 20-6. 

55th min: Milestone man Joe Ofahengaue gets his side on the board in his 200th match, giving Parramatta a sniff in their hunt for their first win. Manly lead 14-6.

48th min: Manly inch further ahead with Garrick again slotting a penalty goal to push out to a 14-0 lead. 

41st min: Bad news for Manly fans with Tom Trbojevic not returning from the sheds, reportedly suffering from an MCL injury. He will take no further part in the match. 

Half-time: The Eels were denied a chance to get on the board before the half-time break with Zac Lomax deemed to have knocked on when competing for the ball. While Manly have been dominant, they only have a 12-0 lead, which will have the Eels thinking they are well in the contest. Concerns at the break for Manly will be what seems to be an injury to fullback Tom Trbojevic who has been restricted in his first half involvements. 

20th min: Garrick steps up to kick a penalty goal to give the Sea Eagles a 12-0 lead.

Injury update: There are reports of an AC joint injury to Manly forward Josh Aloiai, with FOX reporting he's received treatment and is right to return to play. Tom Trbojevic has also been seen to by Manly staff on the field, with his knee seemingly causing some concern, but it has not stopped him from playing.  

16th min: Lehi Hopoate gets another try for the home side, crossing on the other side of the field after Ben Trbojevic takes on the line, attracting defenders to pop an offload to bis brother Tom who passes it out to his winger. Garrick misses the conversion attempt. Manly lead 10-0.

The Sea Eagles have been turning the screws on their opposition to start the match, with Parramatta giving up too many penalties, gifting the home side plenty of opportunities to score. 

8th min: The home side make Parramatta pay for their poor execution at the other end of the field to score the first try of the afternoon, with Jason Saab crossing after the backline get to work down their right side. Reuben Garrick converts for a 6-0 lead.

7th min: The Eels get over the try line first, but are denied a by the referee due to a forward pass.

1st min: The Eels have started in the worst possible way at a hostile 4 Pines Park, giving up a penalty in the opening minute of the match. 

Pre-game: Sea Eagles skipper Daly Cherry-Evans has spoken prior to kick off about the week that was since making his decision to depart the club at the end of the season public, saying he was looking forward to the focus being on the footy.

Late Mail

Sea Eagles: Tom Trbojevic's return from a hamstring injury sees Lehi Hopoate shift to the wing and Clayton Faulalo to 18th man. Josh Aloiai moves into the starting side in place of Taniela Paseka, who hopes to be back on deck in Round 25 after rupturing his Achilles against the Raiders. No changes in the one-hour from kick-off update, with Toafofoa Sipley dropping out of the extended squad. 

Eels: Prop Jack Williams dropped out on Saturday with a knee injury, replaced in the starting line-up by milestone man Joe Ofahengaue in his 200th NRL game. Charlie Guymer has been added to the bench. Winger Sean Russell and bench forward Daniel Keir come into the side with Joash Papalii the 18th player. No changes to the line-up an hour out from the game, with Jordan Samrani dropping from the squad.