Report: From hottest favouites on Sportsbet in round 1 to biggest outsiders ($3) in round 2. Manly faced a seemingly daunting challenge travelling to Townsville to face the red hot premiership favourites who, had thrashed the Broncos away in round 1. An injury to Steve Mattai led to reshuffle with Steve Menzies moving to the centres and Luke Williamson starting in the second row. Shayne Dunley was moved to the bench with Monaghan starting as hooker and Travis burns at five-eighth. Former Raiders winger Michael Robertson debuted for Manly with Paul Stepheson starting on the bench. With some very doubtful "benefit of the doubt" video referee decisions and the sin binning of Steve Menzies for backchat, all seemed lost as the Cowboys raced to a 20-4 lead early in the second half. But Manly showed more grit than in round 1 and despite a 3-11 penalty count began to get on top. Two great tries to Brett Stewart gave Manly a huge "sniff" and the Sea Eagles went close to scoring from a cross field kick in the dying seconds which would have brought off an amazing victory. But alas it was not to be. Overall a huge improvement on round 1, especially in defence, and a solid base for Des Hasler to build on.