Manly Warringah Sea Eagles recorded an impressive 36-24 win over the Parramatta Eels at Lottoland today in round 18 of the Telstra Premiership.
In front of the biggest home crowd of the season of 15,245, Manly went into the game in fifth place with the Eels one position behind them with both teams on 20 competition points.
The Sea Eagles made one late change with centre Dylan Walker shifting to five-eighth to replace Cade Cust with Brad Parker coming off the bench to play in the centres.
The Sea Eagles opened the scoring in the fourth minute with a try to winger Reuben Garrick in the right corner. Garrick converted the try from the sideline for a 6-0 lead.
The Eels hit back in the 11th minute with a try to winger Ethan Parry from a grubber kick after winger Jorge Taufua tried to let the ball go out over the dead ball line. Half-back Mitchell Moses converted from the sideline for a 6-all scoreline.
Three minutes later, the Eels took a 10-6 lead when centre Brad Takairangi dived on the ball from a Moses grubber kick. Moses converted for a 12-6 lead.
The Sea Eagles were denied a try to Taufua in the 19th minute when the referee called a forward pass from full-back Tom Trbojevic.
Manly hit back to draw level at 12-all in the 26th minute when Garrick converted a try to captain and half-back Daly Cherry-Evans after he took on the line in a nice show and go play.
A minute later, Tom Trbojevic leapt high to take the ball out of the arms from Parramatta full-back Clinton Gutherson to score a sensational try from a bomb by Cherry-Evans. Garrick failed to convert the try for a 16-12 lead.
The Sea Eagles extended the lead to 20-12 in the 31st minute when Parker latched on to a rocket pass from Walker to beat three defenders to score out wide. Garrick converted for a 22-12 lead.
A grubber kick from Cherry-Evans then saw prop Addin Fonua-Blake swoop on the ball in-goal to score in the 35th minute for a 26-12 lead. Garrick failed to convert from close range.
Half-time: Sea Eagles 26 Eels 12
Garrick grabbed his second try when he leapt high to defuse a Dylan Walker bomb in the 43rd minute. He converted his own try for a 32-12 lead.
The Sea Eagles were then denied a try a few minutes later to Taufua after he put a foot in touch in trying to score.
A superb cut out pass by Tom Trbojevic saw Garrick grab a hat-trick of tries when he crossed in the 56th minute for a 36-12 lead. He failed to convert his own try.
The Eels pulled a try back when lock Nathan Brown scored under the posts. Moses converted for a 36-18 scoreline with 18 minutes remaining.
Manly second-rower Joel Thompson was denied a try in the 68th minute on an obstruction call from the video referee.
The Eels reduced the margin again when winger Maika Sivo dived over in the corner to score in the 72nd minute. Moses converted from the sideline for a 36-24 scoreline.
Manly play competition leaders Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park next Saturday night.
