Match Report: ANZAC Round vs Eels

The taste of victory was even sweeter for Manly with several members of their 1976 premiership-winning team watching on, 50 years after the Club’s grand final triumph over the Eels.

The result keeps Kieran Foran’s perfect winning record in tact since he took over as interim head coach a month ago, and has the Sea Eagles placed sixth on the ladder through eight rounds.

Manly got off to a hot start in a low scoring first half, crossing with their first opportunity in Parramatta’s end zone.

In his 100th appearance at 4 Pines Park, skipper Jake Trbojevic pounced on a spilled bomb to cross for his first try of the season.

Parramatta responded with their first visit into Manly’s 20 metre zone after receiving a penalty for a high tackle. A quick shift to their right resulted in a try to winger Brian Kelly in the Ken Arthurson Stand corner.

Manly held their two-point advantage until midway through the first half when the Eels were awarded a penalty in front of the sticks for offside, Mitchell Moses levelling the score at 6-6.

The home side were unable to break the deadlock until just a few seconds from half time, despite looking likely to score on several occasions.

After threatening with every touch Haumole Olakau’atu was trapped just short of the line a minute out from half time after collecting a bomb. 

He then put big shot on Eels' forward Dylan Walker to give his side possession with just 15 seconds in the first half remaining.

Jamal Fogarty, whose kicking game was again a factor in the end result, needed no invitation to take the one point on offer in front of the posts to put his side ahead 7-6 at half time.

Manly looked the more energetic of the two sides in the second half, after a sapping first forty minutes. 

A bursting run by Reuben Garrick down the western touchline off a silky ball from Tolu Koula didn’t result in points, but it was a sneak peak at what was to come.

Lehi Hopoate had his prints all over Manly’s first try of the second half. It was his jolting tackle on Eels' winger Kelly that regained his team possession, followed by a try after collecting a quick ball from left centre Clayton Faulalo.

Fogarty converted to put Manly ahead 13-6 on 50 minutes as the Sea Eagles began to let loose.

Olakau’atu continued to threaten with every touch and was chopped down inches from the line in the 53rd minute after making a 35 metre bullocking run.

Garrick scored moments later beating his opposite number one on one close to the line to make it 17-6, with Fogarty adding the extras.

One minute later the full house at the fortress was again on its feet when Fogarty raced away to score from inside his own half after bursting on to a Ben Trbojevic short-ball.

Perhaps still out of breath, the nifty no.7 missed the conversion to leave Manly ahead 23-6

The Eels we’re reduced to 12 men on the hour mark when replacement hooker Tallyn Da Silva was given 10 minutes in the bin for a spear tackle on his opposite number Jake Simpkin.

Manly extended their lead just a few minutes later with another beautiful long-range effort.

Hopoate went on a weaving run to the centre of the field from 70 metres out before putting a flying Jason Saab through a hole and on his way to the line. Fogarty again unable to land the extras.

The Eels scored their first try of the second half with 13 minutes remaining when Mitchell Moses collected an infield kick from his winger to reduce their deficit to 15 points.

A neat kick from Fogarty then forced a repeat set for Manly in the 72nd minute which resulted in a try to Faulalo after he collected the short drop out and raced in to score.

Up 33-12 with seven minutes remaining, Olakau’atu was given a well-earned rest after a colossal performance with and without the ball.  He ran for almost 200 metres from 19 carries, made a stack of line breaks, and rattled plenty of bones.

Manly were almost in again when Ben Trbojevic made a long-range break down the hill side touchline before kicking infield for Garrick, who was stopped just short of the line.

The Eels scored a late consolation in the final minutes on a day that was all about remembrance, and about Manly.

Sunday arvo. ANZAC Round. Full house. Four in a row.

For the record, the last time Manly won four on the trot in the same season was in Round 6, 2022. It was at 4 Pines Park against the Titans. The try scorers were Olakau’atu with a double, Garrick, and Foran.