Manly's Jorge Taufua goes over for his third try last night against the Knights at Brookvale. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited
SO much for Manly's powers being on the wane. The Sea Eagles arrived at Brookvale Oval last night with a daunting record against Newcastle, but some still questioning their premiership credentials. By the time the full-time siren sounded, Manly was undefeated and the Knights had been put back in their box.
The Sea Eagles led at half-time and went on with the job in the second half as they produced a performance of composure and class. Even the loss of Steve Matai (neck) late in the first half failed to stop their momentum. Manly was sheer class.
The Knights, on the other hand, struggled. While Sea Eagles halves Kieran Foran and Daly Cherry-Evans controlled the game, their Newcastle counterparts Jarrod Mullen and Kurt Gidley failed to pick up where they left off in last week's win over Wests Tigers.
They still had some hope at the break but Manly drove another nail in the coffin five minutes into the second half through backrower Anthony Watmough.
The NSW and Australia forward got the ball in his own half, pinned his ears back and set off. Brett Stewart loomed in support but Watmough went on his own, finishing off a movement be began 60m up the field. The Sea Eagles were flying at 14-0 and Newcastle looked desperately out of sorts.
Midway through the second half, the Sea Eagles ended the contest. Winger Jorge Taufua was having an outstanding game against Akuila Uate and continued a great night by crossing for his second. He would reach a hat-trick by the end of the night.
Jamie Lyon kicked the conversion from the sideline and the Sea Eagles were leading 20-0.
Stewart capped his night with his 67th try in 70 games at Brookvale Oval and the Knights had been brought back to earth.
Newcastle had come into the game on the back of a confidence-boosting win over the Tigers but their record at Brookvale Oval was cause for concern. Of the Knights' 13 games at the ground, they had won only twice there, the last time seven years ago.
Balancing that was the record of Gidley, who had won seven of his past 10 games against Manly. Significantly, Gidley had missed both clashes involving the sides last year - the Knights won at home and then lost on the road.
But he made a successful return from shoulder surgery at halfback in the win over the Tigers, in the process giving his hopes of a NSW recall a lift and rediscovering his partnership with Mullen.
Mullen flourished against the Tigers - he finished the game on the bench with a hand injury but only after creating two tries in the flogging of the Tigers.
The Manly halves had been on fire themselves. Foran and Cherry-Evans were inspirational in the club's come-from-behind win over Brisbane in round one. The respective form and class of the halves meant whichever pair dominated would go a long way towards determining the victor.
It was Manly which got off to a flying start. Newcastle centre Dane Gagai was twisted awkwardly in a tackle and the ball came loose. Gagai got back to his feet but he probably wished he was off the field moments later as the Sea Eagles made him pay.
Manly went straight to where Gagai was standing in the centre and moments later it was in for the opening try of the match through Taufua, who accepted a Matai pass and snuck over in the corner.
The Sea Eagles winger managed to get the ball down despite the attention of Uate, video referees Steve Clark and Gavin Badger gave the green light, and the score was 4-0.
Gagai was eventually forced to take a seat on the sideline, but it didn't stop Manly scoring for their second try of the night. This time it arrived through co-captain Lyon. Foran produced a pinpoint kick and Lyon raced through, plucked the ball from the air and then kicked the conversion.
Manly hit a hitch only seconds before half-time when Matai was taken from the field following what appeared to be a neck injury after reeling away from a tackle.
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