The Sharks looked to be in cruise control leading 13-0 for a period of time, before the Sea Eagles stormed home – winning the game in the dying seconds, courtesy of a try to Michael Oldfield.
The Sharks went into the break with a 13-0 lead, after Wade Graham kicked a field-goal on the stroke of half-time, in what was a very physical clash between the two sides, in just over 15,000 people.
Kade Snowden, Origin prop, had a great game for the Sharks in both attack and defence, and did his Origin chances no harm whatsoever – after he was the provider for both of the Sharks tries.
There were however some controversial decisions in the game, and Sharks coach Stuart Flanagan questioned some of the referees decisions.
He made particular reference to a pass leading up to George Rose’s try, a pass leading to Daly Cherry-Evans field goal, as well as a few other decisions.
“If the George Rose try wasn’t a forward pass I’ll give it away and then two tackles before the field goal there’s a forward pass there as well,” Flanagan said.
“I think we were hard done by.”
The loss was heart-break for the likes of Paul Gallen and Kade Snowden, who were amongst the Sharks best.
Manly coach Des Hasler sympathised with his counterpart, but praised his side for their ability to never give up, and get the win in a grinding contest.
“It probably could have gone two ways, we could have lost, we’d be heading back to Brookie licking our wounds,” he said.
“It was a really tough, grinding, arm-wrestling game and not much show footy out there but I’m just so pleased because I know exactly how the Sharks would be feeling.
“They’d be feeling pretty low and pretty despondent.”
3 Jamie Lyon
2 Michael Oldfield
1 Kade Snowden