Manly, with veteran centre Steve Matai grabbing a double, have maintained their status as a bogey team for the Warriors with a 34-18 NRL win in Auckland.
It was the Sea Eagles’ fourth victory in a row over the Warriors and their 10th in the past 11 meetings between the sides.
The result on Saturday night takes them to 3-3 for the season and above the Warriors on the table.
Coach Trent Barrett said he was aware of the Sea Eagles’ record over the Auckland club, but ultimately it didn’t mean a lot to him or the players.
“We had a big job to do against a side that had won two in a row,” he said.
“I thought to a man we didn’t have a bad player today.”
Barrett said his team laid the groundwork with the way they began the match, including producing some solid defence.
“We just showed a lot of intent in everything we did,” he said.
“Our aim was to start well and we built our way into the game. We had a pretty simple plan and every one of them did a terrific job.”
The Warriors were also seeking their third win of the year and coach Andrew McFadden said conceding 30-plus points at home wasn’t good enough.
But he also gave credit to Manly, who he said were physical and showed plenty of enthusiasm.
“It wasn’t the worst performance,” he said.
“We got beaten by a very good side who had lots of energy. They played a pretty tight game and we fell over at the end.”
Manly dominated possession in the first 25 minutes, when they built a 12-0 lead through tries to back-rower Martin Taupau and prop Josh Starling.
The Warriors hit back before halftime through centre Blake Ayshford.
Matai grabbed his first try early in the second spell after a contentious decision.
Warriors centre Solomone Kata had appeared to make it out of the in-goal, only for referee Gavin Reynolds to rule a line dropout.
“It was a big call,” McFadden said.
“I thought he got it wrong but we have to live with that.”
Skipper Ryan Hoffman, asked if the bunker had been involved in the decision, said he had gone up and queried who had made the call.
“He said they all made it,” Hoffman said.
“I find it hard that five people can get that decision wrong.”
Issac Luke gave the Warriors hope when he barged over from dummy half, before Matai completed his brace with nine minutes to go.
There was time for Kata to grab his seventh try of the season, but the Sea Eagles had the last say when winger Tom Trbojevic crossed in the final minute.
Two players were put on report, Manly five-eighth Dylan Walker for an intended trip and Warriors prop Jacob Lillyman for a high tackle.
Muzz
Guest
For Sale NRL Bunker As new conditions. Paid $2 million. Receipts available. All offers above $12 considered.
Benedict Arnold
Guest
It's kinda sad when the team with the oldest half back in the competition is proving to be one of their most consistent/ best players. But I just don't get this side... ryan hoffman - aus internationa/ nsw blue rep player. RTS - NZ FB, 2015 dally m fb of the year simon mannering - nz captain ben matulino - nz international jacob lillymn - QLD rep player SJ - golden boot, nz HB isaac luke - NZ hooker thomas leuluai - nz rep player They have 3/4 of the NZ spine who are currently ranked no.1 in the world and the starting forward pack is made up entirely of rep players except for sam lisone who has only played the 1 game for samoa. This is a core group of players that should be dominating at the moment but they aren't for some unknown reason. It has to be the culture at the club and the coach. If a Bellamy or a Hasler had his hands on these players they would be pushing for a title and they would not look underdone and overweight like they do at the minute.
Schuey
Guest
I reckon giving DCE a week or two on the bench when he is fully fit might sharpen his mind up. Apart from a long kicking game Api has better form than DCE. DCE is pretty good, wondering if he'll ever reach the level of influence & consistency a true superstar like Thurston presents?.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Yes, agree with you on those calls. Must be really frustrating for the players but they also did not play anywhere near their best footy and gave away a bunch of what I could only call stupid penalties which didn't help their cause. The frustration is clearly getting to Hoffman who is usually a pretty laid back character. I think he is finding out why Mannering decided to call it quits as captain. Must be one heck of a frustrating job! Also think Luke is pretty unfit, barely getting to the ruck on time and when it goes wide the outside backs play dummy half. Unless the players start playing with more discipline they're going to lose more games.
ferret
Guest
I reckon the Warriors play the game like a really good Q Cup team but make too many mistakes to be a good NRL team. And the most disappointing thing for their fans is that it's their senior players that are major offenders. Issac Luke gave away two silly penalties, Matualno drops the pill cold, Johnson goes on sabbatical every second game. In the past it was the Warriors young guns losing games by giving away silly penalties or forcing passes. This year the senior players appear less than 100% switched on. Do they believe in their coach and his tactics? Concerning the Bunker, I'm not sure why the video ref gets involved during general play. AS EJ mentioned there are dozens of subjective calls by the ref every game. At each play the ball the ref has to decide; when is the tackle too long, markers "square", back the 10 (or back with me)?; gone too early in defence?, milking etc etc. Obviously we can't wait for the video ref to decide on every play. So, like all other sports, let it flow and limit the Bunker to "Try / No Try".
API v DCE
Guest
Its going to be funny when Manly run out Api instead of DCE when he comes back!! Api is playing better.
Geoff Evans
Guest
He was not in the field of play , he landed on the tryline and bounced out. Wake up one eyeYou yourself said youhad a dozen beers under your belt so that is an excuse for not seeing properly.
Stu
Guest
Robson was added to look after game management, something he his incapable of doing. Lolohea or Leuluai to 6 with Johnson at 7.
MAX
Guest
The bunker's glass wall may be its jaw. But, this is Todd's favourite toy. Cuddle up.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
The call was wrong. Just like other calls throughout the game. It is part and parcel of a sporting contest. The refereeing didn't decide any of the outcomes last night. Yet on both match reports Mike from tari is having a whinge about the refs. With the caveat that he doesn't support any of the teams. Which somehow makes it better?! So much focus is on the errors. And not the good things that are being done. Is it any wonder the time needed in the bunker has increased dramatically? They are so fearful of making an error because that will be the focus after the game. Rarely is it about the game itself in the NRL. But yes James I'm pleased with the progress under Barrett. He appears to have them playing with a bit of ticker and pride. The cornerstone of Manly packs over the years, which appeared to be lacking in 2015. The finesse isn't there yet but I'm hoping that will come.
James Dean ( seriously )
Guest
Perfect ? Hardly , if your in the field of play your in the field of play , and he was in the field of play , how they got that wrong is beyond me . What's the point in the technology if blind Freddy with a dozen beers under his belt can see it was a Shiite call . But as you say EJ , the standard of footy was good and I imagine you and the rest on the peninsula are breathing a sigh of relief with Barrett pulling off a few wins .
eagleJack
Roar Guru
On the game itself it was great to see Manly head into the sheds with a lead for the first time this year. That first tackle on Matulino from the kick off signalled their intent. More of that please. Their attack is disjointed and lacks polish but DCE coming back will help with that. Who he partners in the halves will be interesting. Api has been Manly's best these last 2 weeks. His short kicking game immense, and he is strong defensively. Hits hard for a little man. Dylan Walker might be a bit nervous. Feel for Warriors fans. The team has the talent but once behind they lose all structure. That comes back to Johnson and his game management. They need to bring Lolohea closer into the action.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Two good games of footy last night and Mike from tari wants to whinge about the refs. Typical NRL supporter. The game is on a hiding to nothing. Such a small minded bunch that follow the sport and need for everything to be perfect. Refs/umpires make errors in every sport. But the overwhelming focus on it in the NRL is mind blowing. The media feed the masses, and they lap it up, many unable to think for themselves.
James Dean ( seriously )
Guest
6 games in and the Bunker is a Bunky . Sell it for scrap.
Mike from tari
Guest
I don't follow either of these teams but I enjoy a good game of footy, unfortunately ruined somewhat by perplexing refereeing decisions, the Kata change of decision on the try line, the putting Isaac Luke on report for a cannonball when he hardly touched the legs, penalising Warriors for holding down in the tackle but only penalising Lyon once for the same thing when he would not get off the tackled player at least 5 other times, it's no wonder Hoffman was frustrated, there were some bad decisions against Manly but they didn't stand out like dogs balls.