A Daly Cherry-Evans field goal in golden point has seen Manly defeat the Cowboys 21-20 in their Round 18 clash at Queensland Country Bank.
Given these two sides’ attacking talents there were expectations this contest would be a free scoring shootout where each side traded tries for fun.
But despite the game’s chaotic ending, in reality it was anything but free-flowing and high-scoring as it became more of a grinding arm wrestle than anything, with both side’s trading set for set for much of the contest, until field goal delirium broke out in the game’s closing stages.
MATCH CENTRE: Cowboys v Sea Eagles, scores, stats
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Jason Saab scored the game’s opening try only a few minutes in following some lovely work from Daly Cherry-Evans, who threw a pass described as “as good a pass as you’ll see” by Fox League’s Greg Alexander.
Not long after that the Cowboys looked to have levelled the scores after Jeremiah Nanai stepped sharply off his right foot and burst beyond Luke Brooks into space behind Manly’s defensive line.
With Chad Townsend supporting on the inside, Nanai opted to pop the ball in for his halfback instead of barging over to score himself.
To repay his back rower’s unselfishness Townsend somehow spilled the football over the try line, allowing Manly to regroup and breathe a sigh of relief.
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In the week his end of season exit from the Cowboys was confirmed, Townsend wouldn’t have to wait long to rectify his schoolboy error.
The future Rooster lofted a beautiful pass out to Kyle Feldt, who streaked down the sideline and grubbered infield for his halfback to collect and score.
Moments later it appeared as though Todd Payten’s side had their second try of the night, only for referee Todd Smith to rule Jordan McLean’s ball to Jeremiah Nanai was forward.
It was at this point the game entered a back and forth grinding period played largely between both team’s 20 metre zones.
During this time the Cowboys looked likeliest to score, and they very well could have if Scott Drinkwater picked the right pass after breaking in the 31st minute.
Three minutes later, Drinkwater’s rare error would come back to bite his team when Saab again crossed. Cherry-Evans played straight and deep into the line and fed Tolu Koula, who fed Reuben Garrick, who fed Saab with some wonderful hands.
Unfortunately for the home side, their inability to convert their chances into points saw them enter the half-time break behind on the scoreboard.
A similar story played out in the second half, with the Cowboys dominating field position and territory but Manly scoring first.
Griffin Neame lost the football in the Cowboys attacking field position and it rolled into the path of Koula, who burst through a switched off defensive line and into the back field.
Several Cowboys chased the speedster hard, forcing him into a risky pass to the supporting Jason Saab.
It wasn’t an easy one for Saab to collect, with the ball travelling slightly behind him, and once he had it in his control he still had plenty of work to do, beating Val Holmes to score in the corner.
That try could have broken the home side, but it didn’t.
They fought their way back into the contest through their determination and consistency and scored next through Reuben Cotter.
Not long after that some beautiful work from Nanai set Kyle Feldt over in the right corner. No player has scored more tries in Cowboys history than Feldt and millimetre perfect finishes like his against the Sea Eagles show why that is the case.
“He knows how to get it down Kyle Feldt,” Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said.
After 18 minutes of the second half the Cowboys were well on the front foot, having had 66% possession, 87% of the territory and 12 tackles in Manly’s 20, compared to Manly’s zero in the home side’s 20.
A 57th minute penalty invited Manly into Cowboys territory for the first time in the half. Haumole Olakau’atu went close on the next set, as did Tommy Talau, who was forced into a rushed ball infield by some Cowboys scramble that the Sea Eagles knocked on.
Four minutes later the Sea Eagles were denied a try after the Bunker ruled Jason Saab had taken Murray Taulagi out in the air when competing for the ball.
Fox League’s Greg Alexander called the decision “rubbish”, arguing Saab only had eyes for the football.
Controversial Bunker call denies Manly | 00:54
In the ensuing 13 minutes the game re-entered a grinding arm wrestle, only for Cherry-Evans to break it open again seven minutes from full-time.
The Manly halfback slalomed his way through the Cowboys defensive line and fed Lehi Hopoate, on for the injured Saab. Hopoate was brought down by Drinkwater but Manly were awarded a penalty after some Cherry-Evans theatrics fooled the referee into thinking Cotter had taken him out of the ball.
A handful of tackles later Manly were awarded a penalty for a ruck infringement right in front of the posts. Garrick converted, giving his side a two point lead to defend for five minutes.
Enter Scott Drinkwater, who slotted a two-point field goal in the 76th minute with as much ease.
Nanai lost the ball from the ensuing kick off, an error which threatened to gift Manly the win, only for Cherry-Evans to shank his field goal attempt from close range.
On the next set Townsend pushed a field goal attempt of his own wide. The Cowboys No.7 had another shot deflected wide by Jake Trbojevic with 16 seconds of the contest remaining, sending this match to golden point.
In extra time, Val Holmes missed twice for the Cowboys, allowing Cherry-Evans to slot the 28th field goal of his career to ensure his side left Townsville with the two points.
WHAT WE LEARNED
IS DCE RUGBY LEAGUE’S MOST CLUTCH PLAYER?
Is there an NRL, past or present, who can lay claim to being as clutch as Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans?
The Sea Eagles and Maroons’ No.7 sealed his side’s thrilling victory with the seventh golden point field goal of his career.
Granted he missed a fair few chances to ice the game in regulation time, including a point blank field goal that he pushed wide in the 77th minute.
But time and time again the Manly halfback keeps a cool head to steer his side to victory amidst the chaos of the contest.
Speaking to Fox League post-game, Cherry-Evans was quick to credit the efforts of his teammates for allowing him to step up and be the hero.
“The boys worked hard, like Jake’s knock down. There were so many things that went into it before I could kick that goal,” he said.
“I’m just really thankful for the boys digging deep there.”
Explaining how he’s able to come up with clutch plays, such as his golden point field goal, Cherry-Evans explained “you’ve just got to focus yourself. It’s as simple as that.”
“Your heart’s beating through your chest so you’ve just got to try and settle that.
“There’s so much that happens before the shot so (I’m) just really grateful we got a chance to go out there.”
Perhaps the best summary of just how clutch Cherry-Evans is came not from the man himself, but from winger Jason Saab, who said post-game his halfback “was not missing the second one for sure.”
“We can count on Chez,” Saab added.
And count on Cherry-Evans Manly can, time and time again.
WHERE DOES THIS LEAVE THE COWBOYS SEASON?
Heading into next week’s bye a win here would’ve done the Cowboys a world of good.
They’ve had a largely mixed year. Some weeks they’re world beaters, other’s they’re elementary. And yet they remain within touching distance of finals football.
Which is why this loss to Manly would sting so much for Todd Payten’s side. Had they done so they’d have entered the bye on 22 points, equal on points with the fifth-placed Bulldogs.
Instead, they’re sitting eighth, one point behind their opponents tonight Manly and with the potential to slide even further down the ladder depending on results tomorrow.
Speaking to Fox League post-game, Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater summarised the frustrated mood around the North Queensland side.
“It’s going to be a long, long bye week,’ he said.
“A long time to think about that one.”
Most irritating for Drinkwater was the fact the Cowboys “had plenty of opportunities to win that.”
Which they did. Chad Townsend and Val Holmes had multiple chances to slot the game winning field goal and didn’t.
But on another night the Cowboys wouldn’t have let the game go to golden point. They had 53% possession, 66% of the territory and 22 tackles in Manly’s 20 yet failed to convert this into a solid victory.
“It’s going to be frustrating to think about that one until we play our next game,” Drinkwater said.
“I’m lost for words. (It’s) very disappointing.”
IS TURBO TOM MADGE’S MAN?
Tom Trbojevic made his long-awaited return from the hamstring injury he picked up in round 10 and instantly put his case forward for NSW selection.
Trbojevic started at left centre but roamed the field in attack, popping up at the opportune moment to inject his speed and ballplaying into the game.
It was a relatively subdued showing from the 27-year-old superstar, but just getting through the 80 minutes unscathed might be enough to get the nod on Sunday evening.
With Latrell Mitchell now ruled out of Origin III with a foot injury, Trbojevic has surely put his nose ahead of Bradman Best and Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i as the frontrunner to join Blues camp.
Trbojevic finished with three tackle breaks from 13 runs while making 23 tackles with two misses.
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