Manly’s fans started the night booing club legend Daly Cherry-Evans every time he touched the ball, but they ended the game giving it to their own team after they slumped to a third loss in a row at home.

It was the former Sea Eagles skipper who had the last laugh as his new side the Roosters overturned a half-time deficit to run out 33-16 victors, witht the home fans calling for coach Anthony Seibold to be sacked.

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Cherry-Evans spent 15 years at Manly but dropped a bombshell on the club last season when he informed them that he would not be there in 2026, with the long-time skipper eventually joining the Roosters.

A freak storm 90 minutes before kick-off meant the stadium wasn’t at capacity, but there were plenty of people there to boo him as he ran on for the pre-game warm-up.

MATCH CENTRE: Sea Eagles vs Roosters stats and more

Cherry-Evans had a smile on his face as he received the jeers, with the club legend then giving his training top to a Manly fan as he went back up the tunnel.

The veteran playmaker was booed every time he touched the ball, but it wasn’t a malicious reaction from the crowd who roared when he was whacked by Luke Brooks in the first half.

Cherry-Evans played 352 games for Manly, and you can only imagine how disappointed the club’s loyal supporters would have been to see him play a part in several tries in enemy colours when their own squad is under so much pressure.

Manly Sea Eagles vs Sydney Roosters.Source: FOX SPORTS

BAD THINGS COME IN THREES

Manly’s season is threatening to collapse before the Origin period unless they can somehow turn things around, with disgruntled fans in the main grandstand turning on their coach by chanting “Seibold out” in the final few minutes.

They are now 0-3 with all of their losses at fortress Brookvale, and things don’t get any easier with a trip north to face the Dolphins next week.

Things started so brightly when Jason Saab sped away in the opening set to put Tom Trbojevic over after 30 seconds, while speedster Tolu Koula torched the Roosters defence from nearly 90 metres out to give them a half-time lead.

But a strip on Corey Waddell changed the complexion of the contest with the visitors racing in three tries in five minutes without Manly touching the ball.

Koula and Trbojevic combined for another try, but a lack of polish from the halves hurt them, while their forwards were well beaten again.

Manly score 30 seconds into the game! | 00:33

HOT CHOOKS

They were panned for their discipline all week, but the Roosters respected the ball and were rewarded with their second win of the season heading into the bye.

The visitors made just one error in the first half despite throwing the ball around with winger Mark Nawaqanitawase grabbing a double.

Robert Toia scored a crucial try to put them back in front before new recruit Reece Robson kicked early for Connor Watson, with Daniel Tupou then awarded a penalty try for being tackled without the ball.

It was a gutsy win considering Egan Butcher was knocked out of the contest in the opening five minutes, while Billy Smith (knee) didn’t return after half-time.

SAAB CRASHES OUT

Manly’s loss was soured late on when winger Jason Saab was sent to the sin bin for an ugly high shot on Roosters utility Hugo Savala who replaced Smith at left centre.

Saab raced out of the line and whacked his opponent which left the referee with little choice but to send him from the field.

Cleary doesn’t rule out 27′ Penrith exit | 01:04

WILD WEATHER

Manly fans were told not to boo Cherry-Evans for his return to Brookvale, but the footy gods had other ideas with a storm of biblical proportions smashing 4 Pines Park less than two hours before kick-off.

Wild weather was forecast, but no one could have predicted what lashed the northern beaches as torrential rain, non-stop lightning, booming thunder and cyclonic winds wreaked havoc.

Power went out at the stadium about 90 minutes before the match was set to begin as the tarp covering the pre-game band’s equipment was swept away to leave their instruments exposed.

It was impossible to see at one stage with the ground plunged in darkness, with the roof sounding like it was going to collapse at one stage under the weight of rain.

JUDICIARY

Jason Saab on report and sin-binned for a high tackle on Hugo Savala

FOX SPORTS LAB STATS

– Four straight wins for the Roosters against the Sea Eagles – the first time since 2013 they have won four straight against them.

– First time since 2004 Manly have lost their first three games of a season at Brookvale.

– The Roosters completed 46/49 sets – their most ever completed sets and second best ever completion rate under Trent Robinson (Since 2013).

– The Roosters trailed 10-8 at half time despite 54 percent possession and 49 tackles to 9 in the opposition.

– Tom Trbojevic scored the fastest Manly try on record (since 2007) when Manly shifted the ball on the second play of the game. He placed the ball under the posts after 30 seconds of game time. His second late in the game was the 28th time he has scored multiple tries in a match.

– All three of Manly’s tries were scored from over the half way line.

– Egan Butcher left the field early in the match after attempting a tackle on Taniela Paseka. He was assessed at a grade 1 concussion but won’t miss a game as the Roosters have the bye next weekend.

– Jason Saab was sin binned for a high tackle on Hugo Savala with eight minutes remaining. His first career sin bin. He has never been charged.

– Mark Nawaqanitawase’s try double gives him 8 games scoring 2+ tries in his 28 game career. He has scored 11 tries in his past seven games.

– Robert Toia scored the second try double of his career and had a hand in two others in a strong performance.

– Billy Smith did not return after half time with a reported Knee injury. He has previously suffered three ruptured ACLs.

– Daniel Tupou was awarded try 185 of his career – his first penalty try.

Fox Lab POTM: Naufahu Whyte. 16 runs for 155 metres, 59 post contact metres, 9 tackle busts, 17 tackles, 0 misses.

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TEAMS

Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Taniela Paseka 14. Brandon Wakeham 10. Kobe Hetherington 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 9. Jake Simpkin 15. Corey Waddell 16. Ethan Bullemor 17. Paul Bryan 18. Simione Laiafi 19. Josh Feledy

Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Angus Crichton 12. Siua Wong 13. Egan Butcher 14. Connor Watson 15. Blake Steep 16. Nat Butcher 17. Salesi Foketi 18. Cody Ramsey 19. Hugo Savala