By Joel Gould in Redcliffe
Manly have delivered for Kieran Foran in spectacular fashion to blitz the Dolphins 52-18 and give the club legend a memorable NRL coaching debut.
The Trbojevic brothers – Tom, Jake and Ben – were magnificent at a sold-out Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe on Thursday night while giant second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu reigned supreme on the right edge, swatting Dolphins away like flies.
Manly were direct, skilful and committed. All the qualities Foran displayed in his illustrious career were on show against a diabolical Dolphins outfit that offered nothing.
It was the equal-biggest win in history by any team in the first match after they’d sacked their coach, ironically matching Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf’s margin of 34 on debut at Newcastle in 2019.
Foran became just the third coach on debut to have his team score 50 points, joining Charles Fraser (Balmain in 1921) and Andrew Farrar (Illawarra in 1997).
“I was nervous,” a delighted Foran admitted as he reflected on an incredible day and week.
“Throughout the day, I was going for walks around Brisbane and I couldn’t sit still. I think I did four or five kilometres. I just wanted the win for the boys and the club. They deserved that tonight.
“It was a whirlwind week … it was crazy. That was an awesome effort and I felt like that performance was coming.
“There is a great footy team in there and we know that. We hadn’t started the year the way we wanted but that performance was a step in the right direction. It’s not the end result.”
In his wildest dreams, Foran could not have conceived of a 28-0 lead at halftime at the Dolphins’ home ground, particularly after Manly had lost their opening three matches of the season.
When Foran was installed as interim coach on Saturday, a day after head coach Anthony Seibold was axed, there was a sense there might be a form bounce.
But Manly’s transformation had to be seen to be believed.
The Dolphins could not handle fullback Tom Trbojevic and barnstorming Olakau’atu. It was no surprise when the giant forward stepped through an attempted tackle by Dolphins co-captain Tom Gilbert to set up Trbojevic for the opening try.
Brilliant hands by several Eagles and a slick catch and pass by Trbojevic put winger Lehi Hopoate over and the visitors led 12-0.
Dolphins lock Morgan Knowles was sin-binned for a professional foul and Manly took control.
The Dolphins’ attack was an utter mess. Their shape deserted them and errors followed.
Hopoate made them pay when he swooped on a Kulikefu Finefeuiaki dropped ball to race 50m.
Olakau’atu laid on a try for flying centre Reuben Garrick with an exquisite short pass and half Jamal Fogarty put another try on a platter for halves partner Luke Brooks with a brilliant grubber kick.
Olakau’atu gave Dolphins five-eighth Kodi Nikorima nightmares and stormed through him after the break. Tolutau Koula rampaged in for a try of his own.
Jake Trbojevic, criticised for his lack of impact in attack, ran the ball with vim and played a key role in the middle as did his brother Ben in the back-row, celebrating one of his best games in the NRL with a cracking try.
Tom Trbojevic left the field for a HIA in the second half, which he passed, but Foran elected to not put him back on.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored a consolation double but the home side had Knowles, Thomas Flegler and Connelly Lemuelu all put on report.
Woolf was scathing of his ill-disciplined side.
“It was a disappointing performance all round,” Woolf said.
“I don’t know where it came from. We have to have a good hard look at where we are at and make some changes.”