Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles 31-6
Following a commanding display in the initial match of their NRL campaign, the Manly Sea Eagles dismantled the Canterbury Bulldogs with a resounding 31-6 win. Tom Trbojevic and Daly Cherry-Evans shone brightly, steering their team towards a decisive victory. Trbojevic, returning to action after a shoulder injury sidelined him since May, contributed with a try and two assists, whereas Cherry-Evans achieved a hat-trick of tries in addition to a field goal.
Coach Cameron Ciraldo expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, calling some of their errors “unacceptable.” These included a kick out on the full by five-eighth Matt Burton, an inexplicable pass to Viliame Kikau on the last tackle resulting in a kick out on the full, and a dropped ball by Josh Addo-Carr that was scooped up by Jake Trbojevic. The sin-binning of Bulldogs halfback Kyle Flanagan with five minutes left in the first half for a professional foul also proved critical.
Ciraldo specifically pointed out the team’s lack of coordination in fifth tackle situations and other areas, but remained optimistic about their future despite the presence of several debutants. He applauded their defensive tenacity while acknowledging that there were many areas that needed improvement. The Bulldogs’ next game at AAMI Park against the formidable Melbourne Storm will be a tough test for the team.
