Tom Trbojevic scores double as Sea Eagles hammer Roosters to advance to NRL preliminary finals

Australia World

A Tom Trbojevic-inspired Manly has thumped the Sydney Roosters 42-6 in Mackay to march into its first preliminary final since 2013.

The Sea Eagles’ star fullback fired back after his quiet night last week against the Melbourne Storm, scoring two tries and setting up another.

The victory means Manly moves on to face South Sydney next Friday in Brisbane in a grand-final qualifier.

Trbojevic took just six minutes to make his impact on the match, crossing over for a try on the first play after winning his team a penalty for a late hit from Matt Ikuvalu.

When Trbojevic combined with his brother Jake just five minutes later before sending five-eighth Kieran Foran into a wide open gap, the Sea Eagles had bolted to a 12-0 lead.

Four Manly NRL players celebrate scoring a try against the Sydney Roosters.Four Manly NRL players celebrate scoring a try against the Sydney Roosters.
Manly celebrates after Kieran Foran (right) scores a try against the Sydney Roosters.
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Getty Images: Matt Roberts

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Daly Cherry-Evans scored Manly’s third try, busting through some weak Roosters defence with a left-foot step following a scrum.

He had a key role in Manly’s fourth try, with a bullet pass sending Jason Saab free down the right, before the winger passed inside to allow centre Morgan Harper to score.

The Roosters, who committed five errors in a lazy first half, only had an Ikuvalu try and an Adam Keighran penalty goal after the half-time siren to show for their efforts at the break.

Their sloppiness did not stop in the second half, with Trbojevic and then Dylan Walker extending the Sea Eagles’ lead.

The victory was sealed when Saab sprinted 80 metres on the back of another Roosters’ handling error, taking time to showboat with his teammates on the sideline before scoring.

Such was the ease of Manly’s win, Trbojevic was already off the field at that stage, having been given an early mark by coach Des Hasler.

The match marked the 325th and final appearance of veteran Roosters centre Josh Morris’s career, as he joins twin brother Brett in retirement.

AAP