NRL 2025: Masterful Will Kennedy performance spurs Sharks to crucial win over Sea Eagles

A freakish try among Will Kennedy’s masterclass spurred the Sharks to a superb 24-18 win against Manly, piling pressure on outgoing skipper Daly Cherry-Evans.

A second straight loss, this time at the hands of the Sharks, has only increased the drums beating around Daly Cherry-Evans after the Manly skipper’s bombshell last month that he will leave Brookvale at the end of the season.

Manly’s capitulation to the Storm last week did nothing to quieten the noise suggesting Cherry-Evans’ announcement would have a negative effect on the Sea Eagles on field performances and a Will Kennedy masterclass turned things up a notch.

Kennedy was outstanding in all facets of the game and scored a brilliant 20 metre individual try early in the second half, when he left no less than six Manly players snatching at air as the Sharks scored a 24-18 victory on a warm Saturday afternoon at Optus Stadium in Perth.

The pressure is mounting on beaten Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans. Picture: Getty Images

Cherry-Evans was steady without starring, despite scoring a try in the 78th minute that got Manly within sight of an unlikely victory, but it was Kennedy who shone brightest.

The Cronulla fullback was a class above everyone else on the field, with scything runs, brilliant defensive reads and equally safe hands under the high ball and when the pill was on the ground.

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Kennedy’s stunning try came moments after he had run 90 metres only to be denied by the bunker despite a try being awarded.

“He was great, he’s been building,” Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon said, unhappy with the bunker’s decision to deny his fullback a try.

“He was in hospital the night before the game when we played the Bulldogs and then went back to hospital the day after with a nasty infection.

“He still turns up and plays. These are the stories you don’t hear about. He was a little healthier this week and he had a stronger game. That’s what he’s capable of.”

Will Kennedy scores for the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

The result continued the Sharks’ hot hand in Perth, stretching their winning record to four games and was a pleasing bounce back after a last minute heartbreaker against Canberra last start.

If the NRL hoped a ticking scoreboard would engage the local fans, they would have been sadly disappointed in the first half.

It took no less than 35 minutes for the first four pointer, a great finish by Sam Stonestreet off a brilliant Braydon Trindall pass. On the stroke of halftime it was the same combination, this time from a Trindal grubber, that kicked the Sharks clear 8-0 at the break.

Manly face a tight turnaround before their next match against the Dragons at 4 Pines Park on Thursday night and will no doubt face more questions about their captain as their season threatens to go off the rails.

STONESTREET HERE TO STAY

Coming into this season Sam Stonestreet was sitting behind Sione Katoa on the Sharks depth chart but when the veteran winger underwent shoulder reconstruction surgery following a pre-season injury, Stonestreet was given the chance to add to the five NRL appearances he made last year.

Samuel Stonestreet scored another double for the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

The Shire local has grabbed the opportunity with both hands, complementing his two slick tries today with 182 run metres.

At 22 and with Katoa’s return still uncertain, Stonestreet is set for a long NRL career.

OLAKAU’ATU INJURED

Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu sent a huge scare through the team when he hurt his right shoulder trying to tackle Kennedy on the fullback’s brilliant try-scoring run.

He spent the last 25 minutes of the game in duress, but the NSW Blues contender battled on bravely and ended the match with seven tackle busts.

Sea Eagles coach Anthony Seibold confirmed the injury wasn’t serious ahead of their game against the Dragons on Thursday.

“Haumole seems fine,” he said.

“He got a cork to his shoulder. He was able to stay out there. He’s sore, but I thought he showed a ton of courage and effort to keep going.”

Sharks prop Addin Fonua-Blake came off late with a right leg injury, but Fitzgibbon said it wasn’t “significant”.

Haumole Olakau'atu’s 100th NRL game ended in injury. Picture: Getty Images

COOK STUDIES CASH COW

Last week Western Australian premier Roger Cook accused the NRL of treating WA like a ‘cash cow’, suggesting they were only interested in money and had ignored the strategic value of a team in the west.

The Cook government had been vocal in supporting a consortium-based bid for a Perth team, but the premier’s comments appeared to put the future of the expansion team in jeopardy.

Things can change in a week however and Cook was on hand at Optus Stadium to watch the Sharks overcome Manly, reviving hopes that a Western Bears franchise will be confirmed for 2027.

Originally published as NRL 2025: Masterful Will Kennedy performance spurs Sharks to crucial win over Sea Eagles