Canterbury Bulldogs’ defence has been placed under the microscope again after a controversial try to Manly’s Toafofoa Sipley brought about boos from the crowd.
With the score locked up at 6-6, thanks to tries from Corey Waddell and Jason Saab, Manly hit back in the 23rd minute through Sipley, with conjecture seemingly over the pass from Lachlan Croker at hooker.
Manly went on to win the game in emphatic fashion with a 42-24 result.
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Despite the controversy around Croker’s pass, Balmain Tigers great Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach took aim at the Bulldogs defence.
“He shouldn’t be able to score this close … that’s some soft defence, Liam Knight didn’t chase hard enough from marker,” he said on Fox League.
“It’s the easiest tackle in the game, chasing from marker there, just duck under the ball, you can make the tackle around the thighs.
“He just got pushed away there Liam Knight, didn’t chase hard enough, not aggressive from marker.”
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After the Sipley four-pointer, Manly scored another three unanswered tries through Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega, Haumole Olakau’atu and Daly Cherry-Evans with the score 28-6 in the 56th minute.
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Moments later, Jake Averillo gave the Bulldogs some hope when he went through the Manly defence.
Croker and Saab helped put the result beyond doubt though at 40-12.
Kyle Flanagan and Toby Sexton both scored for the Bulldogs in the final 10 minutes, however a Sea Eagles penalty goal helped put the finishing touches on a dominant performance.
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