Sin Bin, HIAs, and Three Players Reported as Dragons Prevail Over Sea Eagles in a ‘Strange Encounter of Rugby League’

The Dragons extended their winning streak against the Sea Eagles, inflicting a third straight loss with a tight 20-18 victory at Brookvale Oval on Thursday night.

Star winger Tyrell Sloan shone for the Dragons, scoring a brace, though the night was marred by injury concerns as Hamish Stewart (concussion) and Mathew Feagai (ankle) were unable to finish the match for the Red V.

“What a strange game of rugby league,” remarked Phil Gould during Nine’s coverage.

Manly faced an early setback when Jake Trbojevic was ruled out due to a category one concussion after a clash with David Klemmer just seven minutes in.

Despite repeated attempts to breach the Sea Eagles’ defence, the Dragons finally managed to break through and register the first points of the match in the 18th minute.

Sloan crossed the line unopposed in the corner following a clever overhead pass from Clint Gutherson.

In a further blow for Manly, Jazz Tevaga departed for a HIA after taking a hard hit in a tackle. Nevertheless, the hooker returned to the fray to begin the second half.

Pushing close to half-time, Valentine Holmes added two more points to the Dragons’ score after slotting a penalty goal from directly in front.

The Dragons opted for the penalty after Damien Cook was caught high by Nathan Brown.

Cook subsequently left the field for a HIA but was cleared to return shortly after.

Although the Dragons dominated possession for the first half, they could only manage an 8-nil lead at the interval.

Catch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Manly exploded onto the field at the start of the second half, but the Red V quickly halted their momentum.

Sloan notched his second try of the night after picking up a loose ball that had been dropped by Ben Trbojevic near the Dragons’ line and sprinting 90 metres for the score.

The Sea Eagles finally got on the scoreboard when Tolutau Koula crossed in the 49th minute.

This moment shifted the tide of the match.

In a contentious turn of events, Toafofoa Sipley was sent to the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle on Mathew Feagai.

Sipley received his marching orders after Feagai slipped, leading to a high tackle from Siosiua Taukeiaho. Phil Gould described the call as “entirely unjust.”

Feagai was assisted off the field after sustaining an ankle injury during the incident.

With momentum now shifting towards Manly, Reuben Garrick successfully kicked a 39-metre penalty goal to bring the Sea Eagles within a converted try, before Jake Trbojevic scored to level the match.

With Sipley still sidelined, Jacob Liddle weaved through the Sea Eagles’ defence on the fifth tackle to score and reclaim the lead for the Dragons.

However, Manly quickly responded as Daly Cherry-Evans executed a clever chip kick to Jason Saab, who then passed to Sione Finau to score in the corner.

Garrick’s critical conversion attempt to tie the match went astray as Manly squandered several scoring chances to clinch a win.

Cherry-Evans took a gamble with a two-point field goal attempt but misfired on the kick.

Things went from bad to worse for Manly, with Luke Brooks placed on report for a high tackle during the second half.

Haumole Olakau’atu may also face repercussions after narrowly avoiding the sin bin for another high tackle in the match’s dying moments.

Next week, the Dragons will go up against the Roosters at Allianz Stadium, while Manly will take on the Panthers.