Panthers’ stunning NRL slump hits fresh low in Manly beat down

The Sea Eagles were far too strong for Penrith on Saturday night, subjecting the premiers to a scarcely believable place on the NRL ladder.

Penrith are officially on the ropes, with the four-time reigning premiers anchored to the bottom of the NRL ladder eight rounds into the season after a 26-10 loss to Manly at CommBank Stadium.

Just a week after they looked to have turned the corner, snapping a five-game losing streak with a comprehensive victory over the Roosters, the Panthers were outclassed night by a Manly side coming off its own three-game winless stretch.

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With star fullback Tom Trbojevic, NSW forward Haumole Olakau’atu and departing skipper Daly Cherry-Evans all making huge contributions, the Sea Eagles consigned the Panthers to their sixth loss from eight starts this season.

Trbojevic, in his first game back since round four, was in everything, bobbing up on both sides of the field in attack, having a hand in a try and running for more than 180 metres in an 80 minute display.

Nathan Cleary’s side is in strife, while Haumole Olakau'atu (right) celebrated with Manly.

The Sea Eagles opened the scoring just five minutes into the fixture via centre Reuben Garrick, who scored his eighth try in his last seven games at CommBank Stadium.

They added a second courtesy of Tommy Talau and went to the sheds at halftime up 14-0.

It didn’t take long for the premiers to begin their fight back, Blaize Talagi scoring from dummy half six minutes into the second period, before Izack Tago took advantage of three consecutive sets on Manly’s goal line and a magic Paul Alamoti pass to get them within four points.

That’s where it ended for Penrith and began again for Manly with tries to Olakau’atu and Tolu Koula, the former when the hulking backrower snatched a bomb right from the arms of his NSW teammate Dylan Edwards to plunge over.

Izack Tago celebrates a try in Penrith’s brief comeback. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Referee Belinda Sharpe was kept busy throughout, awarding 16 penalties – a count won 9-7 by Penrith – placing eight players on report and sending three players to the sin bin.

Panthers backrower Scott Sorensen, Manly prop Siosiua Taukeiaho and Alamoti became the latest players sin binned in a round of banishments.

Respective halfbacks Cherry-Evans and Nathan Cleary put on a State of Origin dress rehearsal, continuing a healthy battle throughout this fixture.

Queenslander Cherry-Evans and his NSW nemesis Cleary crossed paths time after time and were both in their side’s best few players.

Tom Trbojevic (left) was superb all night for the Sea Eagles. NRL PHOTOS

Manly also may have found their long term replacement for Jake Trbojevic in Fijian international Caleb Navale.

Playing off the bench in just his third NRL appearance, the 21-year-old middle forward received just ten minutes of game time but made an impression on both sides of the ball, including saving a potential Luke Summerton try on the line.

After dominating the competition for the last four seasons, the Panthers are now two points behind 16th in a shocking looking NRL table ahead of next week’s clash with Brisbane, while the Sea Eagles enjoy a bye in round nine.

Originally published as Panthers’ stunning NRL slump hits fresh low in Manly beat down