Watching Manly and Parramatta at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon felt like being in an under 6s game as one team kept giving the ball to their biggest and best player to wreak havoc.
Haumole Olakau’atu was the player of the Sea Eagles team, with his results on both sides of the ball going a long way to achieve a 33-18 victory.
One of the loudest cheers came from the grandstand when Olakau’atu was awarded an early goal with seven minutes remaining.
Tonga’s drop ball was excellent as Manly won four times in the toss. Interim 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 see Olakau’atu on the run.
The full-back brought down Dylan Walker before half-time, which left former club Manly with his arm in a sling. Ronald Volkman passed evaluation for a head injury when he was hit in the chest by Olakau’atu, but he may need a little more time to overcome the threat of possible abuse like that again.
27-year-old Olakau’atu had the crowd on their feet every time Manly spread the ball to the right. Not only did he need three and four defenders to try to stop him, but he was always looking to squeeze. One of his first defenders in the second half Jack Williams was shaking on his legs.
The combination of Olakau’atu and Jamal Fogarty continues to improve, and the on-field chemistry with fellow Tongan Tolu Koula is a bonus. He is a threat in the air, and because of his sheer presence, he often creates space for his teammates because defenders only have eyes for the Manly captain.
A knee injury to Liam Martin means NSW need a new right winger for at least Origin I Canterbury’s Jacob Preston has been excellent, but Queensland would hate the idea of including Olakau’atu.
There are many good times to be on the northern beaches right now. The Eels’ win comes after defeats to the Cowboys, Dragons and Dolphins.
The toughest game on the calendar, however, awaits next Sunday evening when Manly take on Penrith, then Brisbane’s predecessors.
Fogarty came off the field with minutes to spare and was pointing at his groin. Manly will hope it is nothing more than problems.
Cult hero Jake Trbojevic scored the first try within five minutes when Eels center Will Penisini knocked down Fogarty’s kick.
The crowd erupted as soon as they saw Trbojevic wearing a black cap in the middle of the pack.
Parramatta wasted no time in hitting back through Brian Kelly who got off Lehi Hopoate’s shot and headed into the top right corner.
Both teams had their chances – and their share of the restart – but were unable to convert any field position into points.
The Eels did well to hang on to the contest as long as they did, and the second-half scoreline was not a fair reflection of their efforts. They are less soldiers, but have a red-hot crack.
Parramatta star Tallyn Da Silva could be in for a treat after being booked for a tackle on Jake Simpkin.
For Manly, forward Corey Waddell’s afternoon was cut short due to a chest injury.
There were funny moments when winger Jason Saab deliberately headed Fogarty’s ball in the first half, only for the Eels to regain possession.
