The Wests Tigers were left scrambling for answers in front of a stacked crowd at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday, suffering a 46-18 loss against the Manly Sea Eagles.
Benji Marshall could not hide his frustrations as Manly went on an attacking rampage, with his team’s ill-discipline leaving them a man down midway through the final 40 and without a key star on the edge due to injury.
Heath Mason was the man to be given marching orders for the Tigers after he was pinged for a professional foul on Jamal Fogarty following a Bunker review.
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Fogarty attempted a chip and chase just shy of the 30-metre line but he was obstructed in the process by Mason, who swung his arm out to stop the halfback’s movement.
The Manly recruit did not get near the tryline when the ball was batted out by jock Madden, who successfully fended off a nearby Luke Brooks from scoring.
Mason was quickly ordered to the sin bin after the review was complete.
“It is a bit of a harsh call, but the precedent has been set throughout the year,” Luke Keary said in commentary on Fox League.
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The Sea Eagles capitalising on his absence to set up tries for Taniela Paseka and Jason Saab, but Marshall was then dealt a new problem to solve minutes later.
Taylan May is assisted by a trainer after suffering a shoulder injury. Fox League
With Alex Twal and Adam Doueihi watching on from the bench, Taylan May was forced off the field with a shoulder concern after he attempted to avoid being tackled.
May had pushed off the body of Rueben Garrick and immediately released the ball when he clutched at his shoulder, appearing in significant discomfort.
“They can ill afford to lose Taylan May. He has been brilliant for them,” Kevin Walters said on Fox League.
With May off the field, Jeral Skelton looked to inspire his teammates, punching over for a try in the 74th minute. Kai Pearce-Paul followed minutes later, but the pair’s efforts were not enough to change the result.
Marshall confirmed post-match that May had dislocated his shoulder.
“He will have to get a scan, but it could be the season (over),” he said.
Manly missed a chance to reach 50 points via Garrick with two minutes remaining, the Bunker denying his try-scoring efforts as he was unable to get the ball on the ground.
The Manly Sea Eagles celebrate a try. Getty
Earlier, Tolutau Koula kicked off the try-scoring blitz for the Sea Eagles in the first half, beating out five Tigers defenders to snatch a remarkable try in the third minute.
The Tigers defence could not get off the back foot after that try, with Jason Saab unlucky not to get over minutes later as his teammates were pinged for a forward pass.
Despite the error, the Tigers could not get out of their own half in attack. A quick shift to the right edge found Saab to runaway down the sideline and score.
“If you give this man an inch, he is absolutely gone,” Keary said.
Walters added: “(The Tigers) need to roll their sleeves up and get the ball down the field with some strong carries through the middle, or even maybe a little shift.”
Lehi Hopoate became Manly’s third try score in the 15th minute, while Luke Laulilii found an opportunity to snatch the first points for his struggling team in the 21st minute.
A penalty gifted the Tigers two more points before half-time, but Manly’s attacking blitz was not over yet, Clayton Faulalo claiming a try in the 32nd minute to bring the scores to 24-8 at the break.
The “absolute nightmare” that is Haumole Olakau’atu bulldozing ahead with the ball opened the tone for the final 40, with the star forward smashing over the tryline in what was a perfect statement for NSW Blues selectors.
“He moves like a centre … he is unstoppable,” Keary said.
Manly then ran away with the game to seal the scores at 46-12.