The Sea Eagles thrashed the Roosters 52-14 at Allianz Stadium in Round 16 last season – just five weeks after securing an 18-10 victory at their ‘Fortress Brookvale’ base.
The visitors romped to a 24-6 halftime lead courtesy of four tries in the first half and added five more tries in the second stanza, co-captain Jamie Lyon topping off the annihilation with a double inside the final four minutes.
In fact the Sea Eagles had four conversion attempts before Sam Perrett even crossed for the home team’s first four-pointer in the 31st minute.
The Roosters rallied briefly after the break, with Tom Symonds and Tautau Moga scoring the first two tries of the second half, before Manly clicked into top gear. The Sea Eagles’ mascot was left exhausted as Dean Whare (57th minute), Brett Stewart (61st minute), Jamie Buhrer (64th minute) and finally Lyon (76th and 80th minutes) raced over in quick succession. Lyon also booted eight goals from nine attempts for a personal haul of 24 points.
Back-rower Tony Williams, returning from a seven-match suspension for a dangerous tackle on Isaac De Gois in Round 3, starred for the Sea Eagles with two try assists, while Anthony Watmough added 147 metres and 31 tackles.
