Finals Week 1
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 30 d. South Sydney Rabbitohs 6

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Partial tears for Stewart and Hicks
Mon September 10, 2007
Source: www.manlyseaeagles.com.au

Scans today confirmed partial tears to Manly duo Glenn Stewart and Chris Hicks' ankles as a result of injuries from last Saturday night's home semi against South Sydney.

With no fractures to the ankle injuries both players will now undergo intensive rehabilition treatment.

It is too early to determine their availability for Saturday weeks' final (against winner of Cowboys/Warriors).

News sent by: www.manlyseaeagles.com.au


Souths fairytale ended by slick Sea Eagles
Sat September 8, 2007
The Rabbitohs welcomed back David Kidwell for their first finals match in 18 seasons, but bowed out of the finals going down 30-6 in their match against the 2nd placed Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval.

Souths opened the scoring with a penalty on the back of some pressure on the Manly in the 6th minute, with halfback Joe Williams showing he came with his match face on in the early stages making no mistake with the kick.

The game settled into a groove, but it was Manly who began to get the upper hand in front of a capacity crowd. Their dominance was unrewarded initially as Manly had two disallowed tries in the opening 10 minutes, with Menzies first and the Brett Stewart being denied by the video referee.

However a turnover and some good play saw the Sea Eagles getg reward for pressure, with Menzies becoming the second-highest tryscorer in premiership history when he went over in the 16th minute. It was converted the Sea Eagles were in front 6-2.

Souths denied Manly a certain four-pointer in the 27th minute when Nigel Vagana came up with a massive shot on the Sea Eagles Jack Afamasaga on the try line, forcing the ball loose. It was desparate defence from the Rabbitohs, something that is a tenet of their first finals appearance since 1989.

The score stayed 6-2 for the remaining 24 minutes of the half, with both sides exchanging drop balls and forward passes, taking plenty of heat out of the game. Manly looked the better side through the first half of the contest at Brookvale Oval with better field position, possession and a penalty count lead 5-3.

Souths were first to score after the break, with behemoth winger Paul Mellor leaping high above the pack to score off a Joe Williams kick. Williams was unable to convert the try, but that was the end of the section for the Rabbitohs as the Sea Eagles poured on 24 answered points to go through to Week 3 of the NRL Finals.

Souths failed to exert any pressure on the Sea Eagles, making too many mistakes and showing little imagine in attack - something that plagued them all season. Unfortunately for the Rabbitohs, a controversial penalty against Paul Mellor for a late shot that left Manly half Matt Orford coughing up blood gave Manly the position and momentum they needed. Mellor turned his back on Orford and appeared to be unable to avoid contact, but the touch judge came in after Orford required attention and the match turned in favour of the Sea Eagles from that point.

The Sea Eagles, on the other hand, scored 4 converted tries and had another two disallowed through Souths desperation. Some of the tries were slick, Brett Stewart's match-winner came fomr some fantastic angle running and switch pass on the fringe of the ruck.

Steve Menzies had a huge match for the Sea Eagles, bagging himself a double from an in-field speculator kick from Brett Stewart, finishing the scoring 5 tries to 1.

Glenn Stewart completed the game but struggled requiring attention several times for a badly sprained ankle. Sea Eagles winger Chris Hicks was stretched off in the middle of the second half with what appeared to be a knee injury after buckling awkwardly in a strong tackle.

The fairytale season for the Rabbitohs is over, but the young guys will take plenty out of the experience. Meanwhile, the Manly juggernaut moves on into Week 3, but they'll be sweating on Glenn Stewart's fitness coming into the Grand Final qualifier in a fortnight.

Thu September 6, 2007
• Souths Live Site to watch Semi-Final
  
Tue September 4, 2007
• Taylor names team for qualifying final
  
Tue September 4, 2007
• Manly name team
  
Sun September 2, 2007
• Week #1 Finals Draw
  

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