A Standout Performance from Clayton Faulalo
In a tightly contested match, Manly continued their impressive form under the leadership of Keiran Foran with a 12-10 victory over the Gold Coast Titans. The Sea Eagles’ seventh win of the season was not as dominant as previous games, but it showcased the team’s resilience and depth.
Clayton Faulalo, who stepped in as a stand-in fullback, delivered a sparkling performance that played a crucial role in securing the win. His efforts included setting up the Sea Eagles’ first try with a stunning long-range pass to winger Blake Wilson, scoring a try himself, and contributing two line-break assists. Despite a minor injury midway through the second half when his leg was caught under a penalised hip-drop tackle by Jaylan De Groot, Faulalo still managed 20 runs for 234 metres.
Faulalo’s contributions have been vital for the Sea Eagles, especially with star player Tom Trbojevic sidelined due to a hamstring injury. His performances over the past month have been nothing short of exceptional, earning praise from Foran.
“He’s been unbelievable, Clayton, with his performances over the past month. He’s been near our best player on the field along with plenty of others,” Foran said. “He came up with so many special plays at important times. He’s very versatile and we have high hopes for Clayton as he’s unbelievably gifted. He’s worked very hard on his game.”
Foran’s Leadership and the Titans’ Struggles
Foran took over as head coach following a string of early-season losses, and all seven of the Sea Eagles’ wins have come under his watch. Interestingly, Foran was once a member of the Titans, playing his final game in September. However, he showed no sentimentality during the match as the Titans nearly pulled off a late comeback.
The Sea Eagles were missing several key players, including NSW Origin stars Haumole Olakau’atu and Tolu Koula, as well as outside back Lehi Hopoate, who was suspended. Despite these challenges, the team managed to secure the win, thanks in part to the efforts of replacement players.
Blake Wilson, Josh Feledy, and Jackson Shereb stepped up to the occasion, delivering exactly what was needed. Foran acknowledged the difficulty of the match, citing wet conditions and personnel shortages as factors that made the game more challenging.
“It certainly wasn’t our best performance, but when you consider the circumstances of a wet night, personnel missing, and tough conditions, it just made for a difficult night,” Foran said. “Defensively, I thought we were a little off tonight compared to where we’ve been, but still really pleased we were able to hold on and come away with the win.”
The Titans’ Challenges and Highlights
The Titans also faced their own set of challenges, with key players like Jojo Fifita and skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleau unavailable due to Queensland Origin duties. Despite this, they managed to score two tries, although their attack struggled to find consistency.
The first try came through winger Phillip Sami in the 65th minute, but the Titans couldn’t capitalize on their momentum. Their lack of possession and poor field position contributed to their difficulties.
“We made it hard for ourselves and kind of gifted them field position and possession, and that’s frustrating. It’s something we can control,” said Titans coach Josh Hannay.
Despite the loss, the Titans had some positive moments. Prop Moeaki Fotuaika made history by leading the team out onto the field for his 174th game, surpassing 2007 foundation player Mark Minichiello to become the most-capped Titan in club history.
