Manly back in top-four contention

A Tom Trbojevic-led Manly have revived their NRL top four hopes with a 36-18 upset of Sydney Roosters.

After conceding 92 points in the past fortnight, the Sea Eagles bounced back in emphatic fashion with a come-from-behind victory over the second-placed Roosters yesterday.

The result opened up a four-point gap between ladder leaders Melbourne and the Roosters, all but sealing the minor premiership for the Storm with four rounds remaining.

The Roosters looked to be running away with the game after jumping out to an 18-4 lead before Trbojevic scored either side of halftime to get back within two points. And when Lewis Brown crashed over from dummy-half with 26 minutes remaining, the Sea Eagles had the lead again.

Trbojevic shook off the effects of a knee to the ribs from Latrell Mitchell and fittingly threw the last pass for Brad Parker’s match-sealing try in the 69th minute.

Halfback Daly Cherry-Evans was again a standout with his kicking game pinning the Roosters in their own half for most of the second 40 minutes and was rewarded with a late try.

In yesterday’s other NRL game, the Panthers scored two converted tries in the last six minutes to beat Wests Tigers 28-14 and regain a place in the top eight.

Broncos forward Joe Ofahengaue faces an NRL ban of up to five matches for his spear tackle on Gold Coast forward Max King.

Ofahengaue has been charged with a grade three dangerous throw for the 58th-minute incident in Brisbane’s big win over the Titans on Saturday and could be rubbed out until the second week of the finals.