'Brilliant': DCE's selfless act for 200-game legend

Two stalwarts of Manly shared a heartwarming moment during the Sea Eagles' 54-12 triumph over the Tigers on Friday night.

Daly Cherry-Evans broke the line in the 56th minute and looked certain to score before dishing off to milestone man Jake Trbojevic in the opposition's in-goal.

Playing in his 200th game for Manly, Trbojevic positioned himself in support and was rewarded by his skipper with his 32nd career try.

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Daly Cherry-Evans sacrifices a sure-try to give Jake Trbojevic a milestone game to remember.

"Who's there? Jake Trbojevic in his 200th, he couldn't believe his luck," Queensland great Corey Parker said on Fox League.

"It's a great sport, Daly Cherry-Evans, one-club man to Jake Trbojevic, one-club man," Andrew Voss added in commentary.

"Brilliant moment for Manly right there."

The Sea Eagles put on an attacking masterclass in their final game of the season, finishing with 16 line breaks and 61 tackle breaks.

Tolu Koula scored the opening try just 40 seconds into the match after pushing through in support following a break from backrower Haumole Olakau'atu.

However, the Tigers soon responded through Apisai Koroisau, who, playing at halfback instead of his preferred position as hooker, stepped through the Manly defence to go over.

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Koula had himself a first-half double after 16 minutes skipping — around several defenders to score.

A beautiful cutout pass from Jake Arthur then set up Jason Saab in the corner.

The winger backed up two minutes later but nearly botched the full-field transition.

Saab made a break inside Manly's own 15 metres with Cherry-Evans in support, but the ball zipped behind in the pass.

Fortunately, Olakau'atu was able to scoop up the loose ball before setting up Saab.

Ethan Bullemor crossed under the posts for his first try of the season, once again owing to a pinpoint pass from Olakau'atu.

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The try was awarded but there were suspicions of a forward pass in the leadup.

"Only a couple of metres (forward)," NRL great Michael Ennis said of the pass on Fox League at halftime.

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In brother Jake's milestone game, Ben Trbojevic was forced from the field for a head injury assessment in the 42nd minute. His concussion was subsequently classified as a category one, ending his night prematurely.

Again inserting himself into the action, Olakau'atu added his name to the list of try scorers with Lachlan Croker acting as a decoy to fool the Tigers' defence.

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Taking a leaf out of Cherry Evans' book, Saab looked to have a hat-trick before passing off to rookie Gordon Chan Kum Tong to score his first NRL try.

Finishing the night with seven conversions, Cherry-Evans added a try in the 64th minute to close the Sea Eagles' 2023 campaign.

Asu Kepaoa scored a consolation try after jumping over in the corner but the final whistle sealed the Tigers' second consecutive wooden spoon.

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