The Sydney Roosters are still alive in 2023 after a classy showing against the Manly Sea Eagles, walking away with a 26-16 win at the SCG on Thursday night.
After narrowly going down to the Raiders last week, the Roosters were desperate for a win to restore any hope of a top-eight finish this season.
It was a tense opening start of the game with neither side registering a try but it was the Sea Eagles who held a two-point lead courtesy of Rueben Garrick's penalty goal in the 9th minute.
The Roosters broke the deadlock in the 18th minute as Daniel Tupou soared above his taller opposing number to get the first try of the game.
It wasn’t long before they doubled their advantage as a silky bit of play from Suia Wong gave Joey Manu the perfect chance to go over for the hosts’ second.
Tupou had his second just moments before the break, giving the Roosters a near unassailable three-try advantage going into halftime.
It was more of the same in the second half for the Roosters, with Billy Smith going over in the 53rd minute to all but seal the result in favour of the hosts.
The tide of the game shifted in the 63rd minute when Nathan Brown was sent off for a dangerous shot, leaving the Roosters with 12 men to finish the game.
Josh Schuster capitalised for Manly with their first try but it was quickly cancelled out by the man of the moment Joseph Suaalii.
The Sea Eagles pushed with a late surge and were rewarded with two tries as a result, but it was too little too late as the Roosters held for the much-needed win.
The Roosters will look to keep the momentum going when they face the Dolphins next Saturday night as the Sea Eagles face the league-leading Penrith Panthers in seven days.