Daly Cherry-Evans, in record-breaking game number 310, scored a try under the posts, set up another and kicked Penrith to death in a game that almost lifted 4 Pines Park off its foundations.
It was a decade ago that many Manly fans suggested Cherry-Evans not let the door hit his bottom on his way up to the Gold Coast.
MATCH CENTRE: Sea Eagles vs Panthers teams, scores, videos, updates
The only place to watch every game of every round LIVE with no ad-breaks during play is Fox League, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >
On Saturday afternoon, in front of a heaving, sold out crowd of 17,381, the 35-year-old cemented champion status – if it needed cementing – alongside Manly greats Bob Fulton, Steve Menzies and the man whose record Cherry-Evans broke, Cliff Lyons.
His grubbers, seven of them, tortured the Panthers. He kicked six goals, two from the sideline. He celebrated his try by booting the Steeden onto Pittwater Road.
MANLY’S TEST
In a late-season contest at 4 Pines Park last year, the Sea Eagles threw so much caution to the wind against front-runners Penrith it came back and hit them in the face. Reuben Garrick initiating a zero tackle kicking duel is case in point.
On Saturday afternoon in fine conditions, against the testing material of the NRL, the Sea Eagles took a more traditional approach – they completed 30 of 41 sets, ran hard – none harder than new local favourite Nathan Brown – and were strong in defence.
The game was a chance for the Sea Eagles to learn where they sit against the best team in the competition.
What they learned was: enough pressure, Penrith will blink like anyone else.
DROPPED BALL RULED KNOCK-BACK
For the last several seasons, NRL referees have adopted what appears effectively touch football’s ‘drop ball’ rule when it comes to the adjudicating knock-ons. Simply put, nearly everything that hits the deck is called ‘knock-on’.
And when Manly’s Tommy Talau dropped an attempted intercept and Tolu Koula picked it up and scorched 90 metres to score, it was widely assumed – even by cheering Manly fans – that either Todd Smith or the people in the bunker would rule ‘knock on’.
They did not. And Koula’s converted try took Manly out to a 14-6 lead at half-time.
Smith’s whistle also stayed in his pocket when Isaah Yeo appeared to go high on Tom Trbojevic and when Sunia Turuva’s head was pulled back following a tackle by Josh Aloiai.
EDWARDS AUDITION
Another Dylan Edwards’ audition for James Tedesco’s NSW Blues fullback spot, another storming performance from the Panthers custodian.
Edwards work-rate was typically ‘busy’ – 255 metres, 144 kick return metres, 44 post-contact metres. He laid on a try-assist for Brad Schneider’s opening try.
When he charged onto Daly Cherry-Evans’ grubber and scorched 90 metres to score, the game’s momentum turned his team’s way. His 68th minute try got his team back within 14 points.
HEAD KNOCKS
Garrick took a solid knock to the cheek-bone, friendly fire from the shoulder of Jaxson Paulo. He went down and stayed down momentarily. He walked off but didn’t come back on, ruled out immediately with category one HIA.
Panthers forward Liam Henry didn’t go down but wobbled like a boxer after a shot on a hard-charging Brown. Henry was adjudged category one, also.
And Brown kept on charging, receiving an ovation from the Jane Try Stand in his fifth game for the club.
RELIVE ALL THE ACTION IN OUR BLOG BELOW! CAN’T SEE IT? CLICK HERE!
MATCH PREVIEW
Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans will become the most capped Sea Eagle of all time when he leads his team onto the park against the Penrith Panthers at Brookvale.
Manly are 1-17 and the Panthers have made one change with James Fisher-Harris shifting to the bench for Lindsay Smith.
Cherry-Evans is currently level with club legend Cliff Lyons on 309 games.
For the Panthers Fisher-Harris is back from injury.
Brad Schneider will again be the halfback with Nathan Cleary not due back until after the bye.
The Panthers can cement their spot in the top four, while the Sea eagles need to win to cement their spot in the top eight.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
TEAMS
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Tommy Talau 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Jaxson Paulo 6. Luke Brooks 7. Daly Cherry-Evans 8. Taniela Paseka 9. Lachlan Croker 10. Josh Aloiai 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 12. Ben Trbojevic 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Karl Lawton 15. Corey Waddell 16. Toafofoa Sipley 17. Nathan Brown. 18th man: 18. Ethan Bullemor
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Sunia Turuva 3. Izack Tago 4. Taylan May 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Brad Schneider 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 15. Lindsay Smith 11. Luke Garner 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 10. James Fisher-Harris 14. Daine Laurie 16. Liam Henry 17. Matt Eisenhuth. 18th man: 18. Soni Luke
Discussion about this post