Semi Radradra and Chris Sandow reminded Parramatta fans there’s life after Jarryd Hayne as the Eels dished out a 42-12 hammering to Manly at Pirtek Stadium.
But to be fair, new Parramatta recruit Anthony Watmough’s serve to his former club during the week helped generate the 18,718 bums on seats.
Watmough’s battle with Manly’s new recruit Willie Mason promised plenty of fireworks – two veterans of the code with similar stats.
It was the 34-year-old Mason’s 288th game, the 31-year-old Watmough’s 287th. Mason’s played 13 Origins for NSW, Watmough 14. Mason’s won 24 Kangaroo caps, Watmough 16.
But the difference last night was Watmough inspired Parramatta, and while Mason did everything possible to do the same, the Manly forwards never broke out of a trot.
As a result the Eels fans rose to the occasion as their team crossed for seven tries to two, with Radradra notching three, and Sandow two.
Radradra became the first NRL player to score a hat-trick in the opening round in successive years, and he went within a whisker of a fourth. The 22-year-old Fijian flyer has now scored 27 tries in 32 games, and there’s plenty more in store.
Sandow is relishing Brad Arthur’s coaching. He has been given an open brief and he’s thriving on the extra room to move, sending support on their way.
So two games decided in the 2015 NRL, with almost identical results. Parramatta did to Manly what Souths did to the Broncos on Friday night – both games were one-way traffic.
Parramatta were far too clinical and positive for a well-below par Manly, who weren’t allowed to get into any rhythm. Playmakers Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran were cut off at the source, and even champion fullback Brett Stewart was kept in check.
Foran grabbed the chance to give former teammate Watmough a ‘facial’ early in the first half. Watmough smiled. Foran’s luck ran out when he limped off with a torn hamstring in the second half. How long he’ll be out of action won’t be known until later today. And Manly forward James Hasson is on report for an ugly knee lift to Watmough, who had to leave the field with damaged ribs.
So Manly coach Geoff Toovey will have his hands full this week, trying to find replacements to piece together his battered squad.
Not so for Brad Arthur. His side was like a well-oiled machine – the passing was slick and accurate, the defence rock solid.
And he’s found a goal-kicking winger in Reece Robinson who looks as though he puts himself in a trance before he moves into the kick. Don’t change, Reece. If the trance means you kick seven from eight from all over the park every week, keep putting yourself into outer space.
But the man of the match was Parramatta five-eighth Corey Norman, whose combination with Sandow and his outside backs kept the ball moving smoothly to the wings.
“We haven’t changed too much, we just had fun,” was how Norman described the romp. The bulk of the 18,718 crowd would readily agree.
Brad. H
Guest
I think there should be an investigation as to why there was no coverage of The World's Most Angry Man during the game , especially when Manly had their try dis-allowed . Seeing Tooves blow his nut is one of the reasons I watch Manly and them getting FLOGGED by Parra is the other one :-)
Timothy Schuster
Guest
Manly got bashed in the forwards. Parra gave away so much ball in the first half as soon as Manly started giving it back in the 2nd half it was one way traffic. Hasson is terrible. Adds nothing but terrible errors every game he plays. The Eagles need to make Brooky a fortress and tough it out this year. Mid table will be a good result for a club that is obviously divided on and off the park
The Barry
Roar Guru
No doubt the defending was poor but a couple of Normans long passes to exploit it were sublime.
Haz
Guest
I can't figure out if it was good play by Norman that created the overlaps, or poor edge defence from Manly's experienced partnership of Lyon and Hiku. But my my, those tries looked soft as butter on a 40-degree day. It wasn't a case of Radradra doing anything spectacular, so much as Hiku being caught marking the centre instead.
The Mouth
Guest
Add to that Reece Robinson let one try in, but set one up and kicked 7 from 8. The mind boggles.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
The last time the Squeals topped the ladder was 2005's minor premiership.
Jimmy
Guest
Well done parra, I just like the way they play. I think they will lose games that become a bit of a grind but I think ihey are an exciting side to watch. Give me their style of play any day over that Stuff the Broncos dished up on Thursday. I think the sides with The best number 9's are highly advantadeg this year. Peats snd de Gois were Really good. Raadradra is a star. Takarangi played the best game of his career. I will tune in to the next few Parra games for sure.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Arthur didn't seem a happy man at all during the press conference. Thankfully for Eels fans, their coach is not a head in the clouds type of guy.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
They were jealous of his amazing name and the beard that came with it.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I think it was a combination of manlys left edge having no communication (unlucky injury probably being the major factor) and the eels having a very good night with their plays.
Kaks
Roar Guru
the atmosphere in the stadium was great! however did anyone else feel like the "louder! come on louder!" pre-recorded message a little cringe and embarrassing?
The eye
Guest
Round 1 or Round 23 is irrelevant when it comes to fundamentals of size and ability..compared to the other 14 clubs that Parra pack would rate in the bottom 1/3 ..Hiku was awful and Reece Robinson will again prove to be a liability..Ryan Morgan is better than Beau C.and I'm stumped as to how Lussick is considered a better footballer than Pauli P.(other than a horses for courses thing)and Chayse Blair is still in the NRL
Steve
Guest
For the life of me I will never work out why Radradra wasn't signed by European scouts. Of that Fijian u/20 World Cup side I think 8 backs were signed by European clubs and Semi wasn't, the guy is a star. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
Andrew
Guest
I agree, I thought norman was great, had great vision and controlled the game. glad he received man of the match. Sandow played like a man we wanted 2 years ago, could be to little to late for contracts, but he had a cracker as well. Been a long time since eels fans have praised both halves in a game. Up the mighty eels, great start to my weekend.
steve b
Roar Guru
The lads at Parra did a good job on Manly their forwards were tough which we havent seen in years gone by. Cory Norman did a top job in the centre steering his troops .Sandow was at his cheeky best,lets just hope for the long suffering EELS fans they can keep it up as for Gus Gould its time for him to go get this guy out of the commentary box .We all know he hates Parra but not once did he say how good Parra was going it was all how bad Manly was playing , and he is the same week in week out if the team who is supposed to win isnt and old Gus dosent like that particular team we get the same old its time for some new blood in the box .
Zedman
Roar Rookie
The Eels looked good and should have a big year but I think we are seeing the demise of what was a very good Manly side. Dce's departure and Forans injury are massive blows to a club that was struggling anyway.
Hamish WIlliams
Roar Rookie
I think you'll find it was Ballin who gave the face massage. I think your summation was correct for the second half. I'm inclined to side with Brad Arthur. It was pretty frustrating in the first half. Continual dropped ball really let us down. But very positive to see the ease in scoring points. I'm not sure if that was Parra being good, or Manly being poor. It was a no brainer to attack Manly's left side once Gutherson went off and it paid handsomely. Agree with you on Moeroa Barry. He hits like a locomotive. How good is it to have the footy back. Nothing better than a packed house at Parra Stadium and being in the thick of it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Torn hamstring for Foran? That's not good for Manly.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Impressive first up display from Parra. Gee it's going to be exciting watching Moeroa develop. He's a devastating runner and defender already and he's only 19!! Forwards were tough but too many mistakes. Junior Paulo is a tank off the bench. Brad Arthur will be gluing the ball to Lussick's hands at training. Takarangi and Champion give them two tough centres. All summer I've read how Norman has no vision, can't pass and takes the wrong options. I thought he did ok last year. He was outstanding last night with some great options to set up his outside men. He and Sandow are an exciting combination. They'll have shockers during the season but that's how they play. One win doesn't make a season but the eels will be one of the exciting teams to watch this year.