Des Hasler’s Manly homecoming ruined as Tom Trbojevic stars with double
The Manly Sea Eagles overcame an early scare from the Gold Coast Titans to run out 38-8 winners at Brookvale Oval on Sunday.
In Des Hasler’s highly anticipated return to Manly, Tom Trbojevic starred with a second-half double and two try assists.
After letting through the opening two tries, the Sea Eagles went on a seven-try blitz to bury the contest in front of their home fans.
Try-scoring machine Alofiana Khan-Pereira opened the scoring for the Titans in the ninth minute after the visitors went the length of the field.
With another break, Gold Coast scored back-to-back tries with second-rower Beau Fermor busting over from close range.
Shrugging off a sluggish start, the Sea Eagles responded with a solo try from Luke Brooks before Lehi Hopoate finished off a coast-to-coast effort.
Unfortunately, the star rookie emerged sporting a gruesome shiner and was forced off the field for HIA. While he passed his assessment, Hopoate was subsequently ruled out of the match at half-time with a suspected fractured eye socket.
While the Titans burst out of the gates, the Sea Eagles reeled in the deficit to lead 12-8 at the main break.
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To kick off the second half, Manly winger Jason Saab extended the hosts’ lead after benefiting from a crafty cut-out pass from Tom Trbojevic.
Moments later, it was Trbojevic’s turn after he received the ball from Reuben Garrick down the right-hand side before going over untouched.
