Written by Claire Stegbauer
The Western Suburbs Magpies produced one of their most dominant performances of the season, running in eight tries to defeat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 46-12 at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The opening exchanges were an arm wrestle with both sides enjoying their share of possession. However, it was the Magpies who struck first in the ninth minute. Shifting left through the spine, the hosts created space for Luke Laulilii, who burst through a gap and raced away to score in the corner. The conversion was unsuccessful, leaving the Magpies with a 4-0 lead.
The home side continued to build momentum through the middle of the field and were rewarded eight minutes later. After marching downfield on the back of a strong forward pack effort, the Magpies shifted right where slick hands found Faaletino Tavana on the edge, who crossed untouched for their second try of the afternoon. Javon Andrews added the extra's as the score read 10-0.
Manly responded through Fletcher Baker, who crashed over from close range with a powerful carry proving too strong for the Magpies defence. The successful conversion reduced the deficit and kept the visitors within striking distance. Shortly after, Aaron Schoupp looked destined to score for the Sea Eagles but was bundled into touch in a desperate defensive effort from the Magpies.
The Magpies regained control approaching halftime. With numbers on the left edge, Javon Andrews took on the line, sold a dummy and linked with Solomone Saukuru, who burst through the defensive line to score left of the uprights. Andrews added the extras to extend the lead to 16-6 at the break..
The second half belonged entirely to Western Suburbs.
Just five minutes after the restart, a swift passing shift out the the left saw Laulilii in space as he ran his way over the try line. Andrews added the extra's and shortly after launched a perfectly weighted kick across field towards the right flank where Tavana rose above the pack to bat the ball back. There to pick up the crumbs was Fiohiva Siale Fainga'a who regathered and grounded the ball to push the margin beyond three converted tries after the conversion, 28-16.
Momentum continued to build for the Magpies as errors crept into the Sea Eagles' game. Just before the 60-minute mark, Jared Haywood darted from dummy-half, sold a clever show-and-go and found fullback Jack Attard in support. The fullback sprinted away to score under the posts, with Andrews again converting the try.
Three minutes later, Latu Fainu displayed his kicking class with a perfectly weighted bomb towards the right corner. Tavana soared above the contest, secured the ball and planted it for his second try of the afternoon as the Magpies stretched their lead to 40-6.
The Magpies' forwards then joined the party. Haywood again sparked the attack from dummy-half, spotting space around the ruck before linking with Peter Taateo. The prop charged through, sold a dummy that fooled Manly fullback William Herbert and finished a superb solo effort beneath the posts to cap off a dominant afternoon from the home side.
Manly found some consolation in the dying moments. A kick from Thomas Demeio was launched towards the right edge, where Aaron Schoupp climbed above the contest, regathered the ball and crossed for the Sea Eagles' second try. Herbert converted to bring the final score to 46-12.
Talking Points
- The Magpies were clinical when it mattered. Western Suburbs turned their chances into points, scoring four first-half tries before piling on another four after the break to put the contest beyond doubt.
- Javon Andrews ran the show. The playmaker had a hand in several tries, controlled the attack and finished with six conversions in an influential performance.
- The outside backs delivered. Luke Laulilii and Faaletino Tavana both scored doubles as the Magpies consistently found success on the edges.
- Errors hurt Manly. The Sea Eagles struggled to build momentum, with handling mistakes and missed opportunities allowing the Magpies to dominate field position.
Key Moment
The match was already slipping away from Manly when Peter Taateo produced one of the moments of the afternoon in the 71st minute. After Jared Haywood darted out of dummy-half and exposed a tiring defensive line, the Magpies prop found himself in support. Taateo then sold a dummy that completely fooled Sea Eagles fullback William Herbert before powering over under the posts. The try capped off a dominant Magpies display and highlighted the confidence flowing through the side as they surged to a 46-12 victory.
What's Next?
The Magpies have a bye next weekend and will head into the break full of confidence after a dominant win. Meanwhile, the Sea Eagles travel to Tamworth for Regional Magic Round, where they will face the Bulldogs at Scully Park as they look to bounce back from Saturdays defeat.
