NRL round five: Manly Sea Eagles defeat Penrith Panthers 32-18

You wouldn’t know the Sea Eagles lost to the Dragons a week earlier, with DCE inspiring his troops to a statement victory over the defending premiers in his milestone game.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 06: Daly Cherry-Evans (c) of the Sea Eagles celebrates with his team mates after a try during the round five NRL match between Manly Sea Eagles and Penrith Panthers at 4 Pines Park, on April 06, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Manly are the great enigma of the NRL.

At their best they can beat premiership heavyweights Penrith. At their worst they struggle against the likes of St George Illawarra.

They may finish this season somewhere in between. But if coach Anthony Seibold can unlock the Sea Eagles’ consistency then there is no limit on what they can achieve this year.

They just have so much strike across the park. Naturally you look to big names Daly Cherry-Evans and Tom Trbojevic. But this Sea Eagles side is way more than that these days.

They have speed and size. Taniela Paseka continues his evolution as one of the game’s best rising props. Haumole Olakau’atu a damaging force on an edge while they have speed to burn through Tolutau Koula.

It was just the fifth time since 2020 that Penrith have conceded more than 30 points.

Tom Trbojevic brushed off a poor round four performance with a strong showing. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Daly Cherry-Evans became the most-capped Sea Eagle of all time during the win. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Party time in Brookvale. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

But what was more impressive was how their forward pack battered a Penrith forward pack who have rarely lost match-ups in recent seasons. Penrith’s outside backs who have led their yardage and helped get them out of trouble were also limited by a willing Manly team.

Even former NSW forward Nathan Brown – who is at his third club in as many years – looks rejuvenated. Bouncing off the back fence from kick-offs, Brown wound back the clock to receive a standing ovation from a packed 4 Pines Park crowd when he came from the field.

In the absence of Nathan Cleary, Cherry-Evans again showed why only Cleary stands in his way as the game’s best halfback.

He scored try of his own and laid on another in his record breaking match.

Scrum Luke Brooks isn’t overplaying his hand and is just feeding his damaging players on the outside.

The only problem for Manly? They will hop on a plane next week to play the Warriors but no one knows what sort of Manly side will step onto New Zealand soil.