An unstoppable second half performance saw the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles record a crushing 56-24 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Cbus Super Stadium today.
The Sea Eagles trailed 24-8 at half-time after the Titans finished the first half with a 24/24 completion rate with Manly starved off possession and field position.
However, the second half belonged to the Sea Eagles who ran in an unbelievable nine tries to score 48 unanswered points.
Winger Reuben Garrick scored four tries to put his name in the club's record books for most tries in a match, joining the likes of Bob Fulton, Ken Irvine, Russel Gartner and Steve Menzies to name a few.
Brilliant full-back Tom Trbojevic scored three tries in the win to record his third hat-trick for Manly and his second against the Titans.
Lightning fast winger Jason Saab also scored two tries to take his tally to 11 tries in 13 games in his first season at Manly.
The match also marked the 250th game for Sea Eagles Captain Daly Cherry-Evans since making his NRL debut for Manly in the opening round of the 2011 season. The game also saw the 150th NRL match for Dylan Walker.
The Sea Eagles went into the clash without Jake Trbojevic due to injury with Sean Keppie coming off the bench to start at lock.
The Titans applied some early pressure on Manly's line through a weight of possession and came up with a try in the sixth minute to full-back Jayden Campbell from a Tyrone Peachey grubber kick. Half-back Jamal Fogarty converted for a 6-0 lead after eight minutes.
The Sea Eagles hit back quickly when the ball shifted left for full-back Tom Trbojevic to dive over in the left corner in the 12th minute. Winger Reuben Garrick failed to convert from the sideline for a 6-4 scoreline.
Trbojevic then grabbed his second try two minutes later when he leapt above Jayden Campbell to steal the ball to score off a Kieran Foran bomb. Garrick's conversion attempt hit the upright for an 8-6 lead to Manly after 16 minutes.
The Titans took the lead in the 20th minute when winger Greg Marzhew dived over in the corner after second-rower Sam Stone pushed the ball back from a crossfield kick. Fogarty failed to convert the try for a 10-8 scoreline.
After an unsuccessful Captain's Challenge from Manly, the Titans extended their lead when Campbell put a kick behind the line for Marzhew to score his second try. Fogarty failed to convert from the sideline for a 14-8 lead.
The Sea Eagles were unfortunate when a kick from Campbell deflected off the leg of Kieran Foran for Patrick Herbert to score next to the posts. Fogarty converted for a 20-8 lead after 32 minutes.
A grubber kick from Peachey behind the line saw second-rower David Fifita pounce on the ball to score. Fogarty's attempt hit the upright for a 24-8 lead after 38 minutes. It remained that way to half-time.
Four minutes into the second half, Manly winger Jason Saab picked up a loose pass from Cherry-Evans to race 55 metres to score out wide. Garrick failed to convert the try for a 24-12 scoreline.
Two minutes later, Garrick dived over in the left corner after some nice hands from Foran and Trbojevic. Garrick missed his fourth straight goal for a 24-16 scoreline.
The class and skill of Cherry-Evans then saw Saab score his second try in the 52 minute when he pounced on a short grubber. Garrick converted his first goal to leave Manly trailing 24-22.
A beautiful cut out pass from Trbojevic saw Garrick go over in the 57th minute for a 26-24 lead. Garrick failed to convert his own try.
Trbojevic was then denied a try next to the posts a minute later but the Sea Eagles were in again a minute later when Garrick crossed for his third try. He converted his own try for a 32-24 lead with 20 minutes remaining.
Three minutes later, Trbojevic crossed for his third try. Garrick converted for a 38-24 lead.
A minute later, Garrick scored his fourth try out wide. He converted for a 44-24 lead.
The tries continued inside the final 10 minutes through second-rower Haumole Olakau'atu and Cherry-Evans. Garrick converted both for the 56-24 scoreline.
The win sees the Sea Eagles move to 18 points to remain in sixth position.
