The Manly Sea Eagles were coming off a controversial loss to the Eels whereas the Brisbane Broncos were coming off of two heavy defeats in a row.
Talented Manly rookie Tevita Funa made his NRL debut in this clash.
Brisbane started much stronger than they have recent weeks by scoring first points.
Kotoni Staggs grubbered for himself to score 6 minutes into his return from suspension.
Jamayne Isaako converted and the Broncos had their first lead of the suspended season.
The Broncos again cracked the Manly line 15 minutes in.
The Broncos bombed to the massive winger Xavier Coates who took it in and grounded it to get the second try.
Isaako added the two from the far right side to make the lead 12-0.
The away team kept the points coming against the shellshocked Sea eagles with their third try coming in the 30th minute.
The Brisbane side had Manly beaten for numbers down the left side and former captain Darius Boyd powered over.
Isaako went 3 from 3 to make the lead 18-0.
5 minutes from half time, it looked like Boyd had crossed for his second but a second look from the bunker gave second thoughts.
Corey Oates obstructed Daly Cherry-Evans causing a no try and a penalty to the sea eagles.
Manly used this penalty to finally score.
After a great cutout ball, Funa raced over in the corner to score on debut.
To make the comeback even more difficult, Reuben Garrick missed the goal to keep the score 18-4 in Brisbane’s favour.
Manly needed to come out firing in the second half and they did exactly that.
After 3 and a half minutes, Cherry-Evans cracked the Broncos line with a slick run to get Manly back in the game.
Garrick kicked the goal and the Broncos lead was cut to eight.
15 minutes into the second half, Manly had their second unanswered try of the half.
A shoot by Boyd left space for Moses Suli to walk over and get the 4-pointer.
Garrick converted and the Broncos lead was down to just two points.
65 minutes in, Coates would give away a penalty for an escort and Garrick would level the scores at 18-all with the penalty goal.
With just less than 10 minutes left, Pat Carrigan was penalised for stripping the ball after the held call.
Garrick added the two to take the lead 20-18.
Manly showed gallant defence and just held on to win the game 20-18.
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Addin Fonua-Blake (MAN)
2. Xavier Coates (BRI)
1. Daly Cherry-Evans (MAN)
