Coin-throwing claims as Manly down Eels - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Coin-throwing claims as Manly down Eels

By Steve Jancetic 29/07/2007 09:13:01 PM Comments (0)

Allegations of coin throwing from the Parramatta Stadium crowd marred Manly's thrilling 32-24 win over the Eels as Jamie Lyon made a triumphant return to his former home ground.

In an ugly aftermath to what had been a highly-charged afternoon, it was revealed Manly lock Luke Williamson and trainer Greg Alexander were both hit with coins thrown from the western stand.

Williamson was hit in the arm with a twenty cent piece as he made his way from the field after the game while Alexander was struck in the back and the leg.

"Fortunately no-one was hurt, thankfully it wasn't at my head," Williamson said.

"When we went back on the field for the second half our trainer noted there were plenty of coins on the ground around us as well."

While the incident could no doubt have ended in a serious injury, Williamson saw a funny side to it.

"Unfortunately they were twenty cent coins - if they were the gold ones I'd be going back there to pick them up," he said.

Parramatta chief executive Dennis Fitzgerald said the club had not received a complaint from the Sea Eagles, his first knowledge of the incident coming when confronted by the media.

The NRL will look into the incident with ground officials on Monday.

Former favourite son Lyon made his return to Parramatta a successful one with two tries in his first game there following his sudden departure after three rounds of the 2004 season.

Lyon admitted he thrived on the constant booing from the fans as Manly, who hadn't won at Parramatta since 1997, all but wrapped up a top-two finish courtesy of the win.

They also stayed in the hunt for the minor premiership following Melbourne's slip up against the Sydney Roosters on Friday night.

"I still think the minor premiership is up for grabs but we can only control what we're doing," Manly skipper matt Orford said.

"Melbourne could win the next five games and we could win the next five games and that's it."

Brisbane showed they weren't a spent force without injured stars Darren Lockyer and Karmichael Hunt, cruising past Cronulla 30-16 at Suncorp Stadium to stay in the hunt for a top four berth.

The Sharks' season, which looked so promising just a month ago, now seems headed for oblivion following their sixth straight loss, with a clash against what is sure to be a fire-up Storm outfit next weekend.

Several players await the findings of the match review committee, particularly Bulldogs skipper Andrew Ryan and South Sydney backrower David Fa'alogo, who were lucky to avoid send offs.

Ryan collected St George Illawarra co-captain Jason Ryles with a swinging arm - his only possible defence being that the Dragons giant was on his way down at the point of impact.

Fa'alogo could be in deeper trouble after collecting Gold Coast prop Ian Donnelly with an elbow in his side's 20-14 win at Telstra Stadium.

Melbourne prop Brett White could also be out for some time following his high tackle on Craig Wing in Friday night's upset loss to the Roosters.

Round 20 winds up on Monday night when Wests Tigers host North Queensland, both teams with plenty hinging on the result.

The Cowboys can maintain fourth spot with a win while they will drop to eighth with a loss, while the Tigers need to stay in the top eight.

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