THE Sea Eagles need an NRL finals miracle when they face premiers St George Illawarra at Kogarah next Sunday.

Manly survived a late scare on Sunday night to qualify for the finals in eighth place despite losing their final-round match 30-24 against the Bulldogs at Brookvale Oval.

The Sea Eagles place in the finals was only guaranteed after the Dragons thrashed the ninth-placed Rabbitohs 38-24 at Kogarah Oval following Manly’s loss. Had Souths won by more than five points, Manly would have missed out on the finals.

But it appears their campaign hangs on a thread, with three Sea Eagles placed on report in the disappointing loss against the Bulldogs.

Centre Steve Matai is almost certain to be suspended after being placed on a report for a high off the ball shot on Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis. Forwards Chris Bailey and Jason King will also face anxious waits on Monday after being placed on report for high tackles.

Star players Kieran Foran (shoulder), Anthony Watmough (ankle/heel), Brent Kite (collarbone) and Joe Galauvo (groin) are also battling injuries.

“We are busted, left, right and centre in there, we are really struggling,” Manly coach Des Hasler said on Sunday night.

The Sea Eagles mentor was also unimpressed with Matai’s ugly tackle on Ennis in the 50th minute.

“It didn’t look good from the first angle I saw it, I don’t think his carryovers are all that good so it doesn’t look good,” Hasler said.

“I think Steve will be disappointed, it puts us in a position where we need a player of his calibre ... especially when we are already down on troops so we could do without it.

“Young centre Dean Whare injured himself in the 20s ... it makes it even tougher for us now.”

A lack of patience and at times soft defence hurt the Sea Eagles against Canterbury.

The lead switched five times in the first 40 minutes before the Bulldogs slipped ahead 18-16 at half-time. Early four pointers from Ben Barba and Josh Morris stretched the Bulldogs lead out to 28-16 by the 55th minute.

Jamie Lyon barged over in the 65th minute to make the deficit eight, and with the crowd of 15,993 willing them home, it looked like a late revival was on the cards.

But in the end, pushed passes and a last ditch tackle on Michael Robertson from the departing Luke Patten gave Canterbury the two points and the ultimate send off for Brett Kimmorley.

“We had numerous opportunities to put the game away but didn’t take them,” Hasler said.

“We had a job to do today but didn’t do it.”

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