Manly have defied their unwanted status as the NRL's kings of capitulation to hold on for a nerve-wracking 26-20 win over old rivals Melbourne. Beaten four times this year after holding double-figure leads, the Sea Eagles looked at risk of suffering the same fate again on Friday night at Brookvale. But this time they were able to hang on, defending 14 straight tackles on their line in the final three minutes to claim victory and move back into the NRL's top eight.
It marked a happy debut for teenager Lehi Hopoate, who threw the last pass for a crucial late Tommy Talau try that gave Manly a 26-14 lead with 10 minutes to go. Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. At that point, the hosts looked as if they had done enough to win in after previously leading 12-0 in the first half and 18-6 early in the second.
But the Storm refused to go away. Jahrome Hughes combined with Tyran Wishart to break Manly open with five minutes left, before the Sea Eagles' last-ditch tryline defence allowed them to hold on. Manly have now beaten premiership heavyweights Penrith, the Sydney Roosters and Melbourne this year, but still sit eighth on the ladder after fading late in other games.
It started well on Friday night, when they dominated field position and territory against a Storm side missing Ryan Papenhuyzen and Cameron Munster. Ben Trbojevic scored first when Luke Brooks put him into a hole, before Talau bagged a try moments later when he slid ove.
