Manly’s horror end to the season continued on Saturday night, as they were humiliated by a white-hot Cronulla Sharks outfit at Brookvale Oval.
If not for a late Daly Cherry-Evans intercept, the Sea Eagles would have been held scoreless at their traditional fortress of a home ground for the first time since 1993 – when coach Des Hasler was still playing.
It was the club’s fifth loss in a row, and easily the most emphatic of the quintet – as Cronulla virtually sealed a top four spot thanks to a masterclass from Dally M contender Nicho Hynes.
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The former Storm utility has been a revelation in the No.7 jumper for his new team, and scored twice tonight while setting up a couple more.
Hynes said he was delighted that the team had strung together an 80-minute performance.
“The last couple of weeks we got out to a lead and sort of let them back in the game, so just really happy with the effort for the full 80,” he said.
The Sharks will now finish in the NRL’s top four barring an incredibly unlikely scenario; two heavy defeats coupled with Parramatta producing two big wins.
Manly’s finals hopes were killed off last week, but fans would have been hoping for a spirited showing in not just their final home game of the season, but also a farewell for club stalwart Kieran Foran.
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The 32-year-old has racked up nearly 200 first grade games for the Sea Eagles across two stints, but will join the Gold Coast Titans next year.
“I’ve had so many wonderful memories over the years at this ground, and in these colours – knowing the people at this club for a hell of a long time,” Foran said afterwards.
“A new journey begins, I guess, next year – unfortunate we couldn’t get the win here tonight, but that’s alright.”
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