Manly Set to Lose $3M in Media After Defeating 13-Man Dragons Despite securing a hard-fought victory over a depleted St. George Illawarra Dragons, the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles are set to face a significant financial blow due to reduced media revenue. Following the Dragons’ decision to field a 13-man team due to a COVID-19 outbreak, Fox Sports has reportedly withdrawn its coverage of the match. This decision is expected to cost Manly approximately $3 million in broadcasting and advertising revenue. “It’s a big hit,” said Manly chairman Scott Penn. “We rely heavily on media income to fund our operations.” The absence of Fox Sports coverage also means the game will not be televised free-to-air, further reducing the reach and potential revenue for the club. “It’s a shame that fans won’t be able to see the game on television,” said Tom Trbojevic, Manly’s star fullback. “We’ve worked hard all week and we wanted to showcase our performance on a big stage.” Despite the financial setback, Manly were determined to secure the win against a depleted Dragons team. After a tough battle, the Sea Eagles emerged victorious 16-8. “We’re proud of our effort,” said coach Des Hasler. “It wasn’t easy, but we showed a lot of character and resilience.” However, the victory came at a cost, with Manly now facing a potential significant financial loss. The club is exploring alternative ways to generate revenue, but it remains unclear whether they will be able to recoup the lost media income. “We’re working on a number of different options,” said Penn. “But it’s going to be a challenge to make up the lost ground.” The financial blow to Manly highlights the challenges faced by sporting codes during the COVID-19 pandemic. With crowd restrictions and reduced media revenue, clubs are struggling to stay afloat.Manly’s Bravest VictoryManly’s Bravest Victory Manly Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold celebrated a hard-fought 30-14 victory over the Dragons, despite losing several key players to injuries. The win saw Manly return to the top eight after a remarkable performance from a depleted bench. During the match, several Manly players suffered injuries, including Taniela Paseka (thumb fracture), Tof Sipley (MCL), Corey Waddell (ankle), and Reuben Garrick (HIA). This reduced Manly’s bench to zero at several points during the game. Seibold praised his team’s resilience and toughness, particularly in the absence of key players like Tom Trbojevic, Matt Lodge, and Josh Aloiai. He confirmed that Sipley, Paseka, and Garrick would be unavailable for next week’s match against Souths. Despite the injury crisis, Seibold expressed optimism about Manly’s prospects, emphasizing the team’s speed and ability to cause problems for Souths. The match was characterized by an exchange of tries, with the Dragons holding a 10-8 lead at halftime. Nathan Brown and Haumole Olakau’atu played crucial roles in keeping Manly afloat, while Daly Cherry-Evans and Luke Brooks found holes in the Dragons’ defense. A penalty resulted from incidental contact between Kyle Flanagan and Olakau’atu, sending Flanagan for a HIA. This gave Manly a significant advantage, and they capitalized on it with a try from Jason Saab set up by Cherry-Evans. Manly’s victory lifts them above the Dragons into eighth place in the standings, while the Dragons suffered a setback in their pursuit of a third straight win. Dragons coach Shane Flanagan emphasized the learning experience for his players and expressed confidence heading into their next match against Manly at Brookvale Oval.Manly Expected to Lose $3 Million in Media Revenue After Dragons Victory Despite securing a narrow victory against a depleted Dragons team, the Manly Sea Eagles are facing a significant financial setback. According to industry sources, Manly is set to lose approximately $3 million in television and streaming revenue due to the match’s lackluster performance. The game, which was played in front of a small and subdued crowd, failed to generate the desired audience numbers. The absence of key Dragons players, including Ben Hunt, was a major factor in the low viewership figures. The match also lacked the intensity and drama that typically attracts viewers to NRL games. The financial loss is a blow to Manly, which has been struggling financially in recent years. The club had hoped to use the Dragons game to boost its revenue and reduce its operating expenses. Manly’s management is now considering options to mitigate the impact of the revenue loss. These could include cost-cutting measures or renegotiating sponsorship deals. The defeat and the subsequent financial ramifications have raised concerns among Manly fans and supporters. Some are questioning the team’s leadership and strategy, while others are calling for a change in direction. It remains to be seen how Manly will respond to this setback. The club’s next match is against the Sydney Roosters on Thursday, and a strong performance will be crucial to restoring confidence and generating support.