The 30th-year celebration for the North Queensland Cowboys turned into a sobering affair as they faced a formidable Manly Sea Eagles team at Brookvale Oval. The Sea Eagles dominated the match, delivering a nearly flawless performance that left the Cowboys struggling to keep pace. In front of a crowd of 17,375 fans, the Sea Eagles showcased their prowess with a commanding display, leading 30-0 at one point during the game.
Manly's near-perfect execution was evident from the start, with Lawton setting the tone by working over Reuben Garrick on the ground. The Sea Eagles quickly capitalized on their momentum, with Jason Saab demonstrating his agility and skill despite having barely a metre to work with. Saab managed to beat his man and grubbered a kick inside, which was met with a spectacular dive by Drinkwater. However, Drinkwater's efforts were in vain as the ball sat up perfectly for Reuben Garrick to score.
A Tough Start for the Cowboys
The Cowboys' journey in their anniversary year began on a challenging note. As the game progressed, it became evident that they were not able to match the physicality and intent of their opponents. Tom Dearden acknowledged the strength of the Manly side, stating:
"They're (Manly) a strong side and they've got a big side." – Tom Dearden
Dearden also admitted that the Cowboys failed to match Manly's physicality and intent, which contributed significantly to their defeat. The Cowboys struggled throughout the match, lacking field position and turning over possession frequently, allowing Manly to maintain their dominance.
Shane Flanagan, reflecting on the team's performance, highlighted the missed opportunities:
"We didn't give ourselves a chance, dropping the ball on kicks…I think we had three play the balls in their 20 in the second half, just no field position." – Shane Flanagan
Flanagan further emphasized the importance of retaining possession and reducing errors:
"When we get field position, we can play footy, we can score tries. But when you turn the footy over and have errors like that today with a 68% completion rate, you're not gonna win." – Shane Flanagan
Sea Eagles' Tactical Brilliance
The Sea Eagles displayed exceptional strategic play throughout the match. They worked the short side effectively, with Cherry-Evans and Trbojevic maneuvering in tight spaces to maintain pressure on the Cowboys. Trbojevic’s timely injection of pace and skillful execution were instrumental in keeping Manly's momentum alive.
Tom Trbojevic praised his teammates for setting a solid foundation:
"They were unbelievable, the way they really set a platform for us and the boys continued with that same momentum." – Tom Trbojevic
He further expressed confidence in the team’s consistency:
"If they set a platform like that for us every week, we'll go a long way to winning every game." – Tom Trbojevic
The Sea Eagles’ ability to execute their game plan seamlessly resulted in them scoring seven unanswered tries, marking it as a triumphant opening game for them this season.
Cowboys' Late Efforts Fall Short
Despite being seriously humbled early in the match, the Cowboys made an effort to rally late in the game. However, their attempts came too late to alter the outcome. The Sea Eagles had established a significant lead, and although the Cowboys finally managed to put some plays together, they could not overcome Manly's robust performance.
Throughout the match, the Sea Eagles were warned not to let the Cowboys carry on anywhere, maintaining their defensive vigilance. This disciplined approach ensured that even when the Cowboys attempted to mount a comeback, Manly remained unyielding.
