Manly stake claim by slapping Eels
MANLY have signalled their top-four hopes with a resounding 36-24 victory over Parramatta at Lottoland.
The Sea Eagles were 12-6 down after 15 minutes yesterday but raced in the next seven tries to make a mockery of the fifth-versus-sixth contest.
Manly winger Reuben Garrick picked up his first career hat trick before finishing with a 20-point individual haul.
He was well-supported by star Tom Trbojevic, who ran a game-high 250m, set up a try and scored one himself in yet another scintillating performance. Trbojevic has still to taste defeat in eight games so far this year – six in the NRL and two for NSW in Origin.
The victory consolidates the Sea Eagles’ grip on fifth spot on 22 points, two behind the Sydney Roosters and fourth-placed Canberra.
It also sets up a tantalising road trip to face ladder-leaders Melbourne next week.
For the Eels, the loss ends a three-game winning streak and raises questions about their ability as a finals force.
The healthy crowd of 15,245 looked set to be in for a hardfought contest when Parramatta responded quickly to Garrick’s first try for Manly.
First it was debutant Ethan Parry who scored with the second touch of his NRL career, while Mitchell Moses produced a 40-20 and grubber for Brad Takairangi. But the mini fightback proved a mirage.
The Eels’ middle melted against a white-hot Sea Eagles attack, with Daly CherryEvans, Brad Parker, Trbojevic and Addin-Fonua Blake all crossing within 11 minutes.