Watching Manly and Parramatta at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon felt like being at an under-6s game when one team just keeps feeding the ball to their biggest and best player to wreak havoc.
Haumole Olakau’atu was that go-to man for the Sea Eagles, with his impact on both sides of the ball going a long way to seal a 33-18 win.
One of the loudest cheers belted out from the main grandstand when Olakau’atu was given an early mark with seven minutes remaining.
The Tongan wrecking ball was outstanding as Manly made it four wins on the trot. Caretaker coach Kieran Foran finally got to celebrate a win at home.
Foran lost Tom Trbojevic last week to a hamstring injury – at least he gets the best seat in the house to witness Olakau’atu in full flight.
The back-rower crunched Dylan Walker just before half-time, which left the former Manly utility with his arm in the sling. Ronald Volkman passed a head injury assessment when hit around the chest by Olakau’atu, but may need a little longer to overcome the threat of potentially being monstered like that again.
The 27-year-old Olakau’atu had the big crowd on their feet every time Manly spread the ball right. Not only did he require three and four defenders trying to stop him, but he was always looking to squeeze the offload. One of his first carries in the second half had Jack Williams wobbling about on his feet.
Olakau’atu’s combination with Jamal Fogarty continues to improve, and the on-field chemistry with fellow Tongan Tolu Koula is a bonus. He is an aerial threat, and because of his sheer presence, is always creating room for his teammates because defenders only have eyes on the future Manly captain.
The knee injury to Liam Martin means NSW need a new right-edge backrower for at least Origin I Canterbury’s Jacob Preston has been excellent, but Queensland would hate the idea of containing Olakau’atu.
There are plenty of good times to be had on the northern beaches right now. The Eels’ win comes after defeats of the Cowboys, Dragons and Dolphins.
The toughest game on the calendar, however, awaits next Sunday evening when Manly take on Penrith, then premiers Brisbane.
Fogarty came from the field with a few minutes remaining and was pointing to his groin. Manly will be hoping it is nothing more than a strain.
Cult hero Jake Trbojevic scored the opening try inside five minutes when Eels centre Will Penisini dropped a Fogarty kick.
The crowd erupted once they spotted Trbojevic’s famous black headgear bob up in the middle of the pack.
Parramatta wasted no time hitting back via Brian Kelly who bounced out of a Lehi Hopoate tackle and crossed in the right corner.
Both teams had their chances – and their share of set restarts – but lacked the polish to convert any field position into points.
The Eels did well to hang in the contest as long as they did, and the second-half scoreline was not a fair reflection of their effort. They are down on troops, but having a red-hot crack.
Parramatta hooker Tallyn Da Silva could be in a spot of bother after he was sin-binned for a lifting tackle on Jake Simpkin.
For Manly, forward Corey Waddell’s afternoon was cut short because of a pectoral injury.
There were comical scenes when winger Jason Saab deliberately headed a Fogarty ball forward in the first half, only for the Eels to regain possession.
From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
