The Parramatta Eels have pulled off a stunning comeback with halfback Mitch Moses slotting the match-winning conversion from the sideline in the dying seconds to burn the Manly Sea Eagles.
Up against a 12-man Sea Eagles’ line-up, after Sean Keppie was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle at the 72nd minute, Parramatta made Manly pay with a crucial try in the final three minutes.
An overlap opened up for Will Penisini to score in the corner before Moses slotted the game-winning conversion from the sideline in driving rain at CommBank Stadium to hand the Eels a 22-20 win.
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“I have had a couple of those moments in my career and I haven’t iced them. I really wanted to compose myself coming to the kick … I’m just happy I nailed it,” Moses told Nine after his late-game heroics.
“I could probably tell the crowd was loud, but I couldn’t hear one thing. All I could hear was my throat rattling because I was screaming so loud.
“It’s a surreal moment. I’m happy I nailed it because I’ve been on the other end in past games and it’s not a good feeling. For me to do that, it was pretty big.”
Moses’ effort wrapped up a late fightback from the Eels.
The Sea Eagles led by 10 early in the second half before Tom Opacic found the line to reduce the deficit as the Eels came charging home.
Manly was dealt a cruel hand late in the game when star fullback Tom Trbojevic came out with a shoulder injury.
Trbojevic landed awkwardly on his shoulder after making a defensive effort in the in-goal.
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“Dislocated shoulder, but we won’t know the extent of the damage until scans are done,” said Manly coach Des Hasler after the game.
The result lifts Parramatta into fifth place on the NRL ladder with 14 points, while the Sea Eagles remain in ninth with 10 points.