Olakau’atu terrorises Parramatta as Manly make it four straight
Watching Manly and Parramatta at 4 Pines Park on Sunday afternoon felt like being in an under-6s game where a team kept feeding the ball to their biggest and best player to wreak havoc.
Haumole Olakau’atu was the most preferred name of the Sea Eagles and he achieved a 33-18 victory with his impact on both sides of the ball.
One of the loudest cheers went up from the main stand when Olakau’atu was given an early mark with seven minutes remaining.
Tongan’s devastating ball was outstanding as Manly made it four wins on the trot. Caretaker coach Kieran Foran finally had the opportunity to celebrate the win at home.
Foran lost Tom Trbojevic to a hamstring injury last week; At least he had the best seat in the theater to watch Olakau’atu in full flight.
The back-rower cracked Dylan Walker just before half-time, leaving the former Manly assistant’s arm in a sling. Ronald Volkman passed the evaluation for head injury when he was struck in the chest by Olakau’atu, but he may need a little more time to overcome the threat of potentially turning into such a monster again.
Olakau’atu, 27, brought the huge crowd to their feet every time Manly kicked the ball to the right. Not only did he need three or four defenders trying to stop him, but he was always trying to lighten the load. One of his first carries of the second half featured Jack Williams wobbling on his feet.
Olakau’atu’s combination with Jamal Fogarty continues to improve and his on-field chemistry with Tongan Tolu Koula is also a bonus. He is an aerial threat and always makes room for his teammates due to his presence as defenders only have eyes for the future Manly captain.
Liam Martin’s knee injury means NSW need a new right-side back-rower; At least Origin I Canterbury’s Jacob Preston and South Sydney’s Tallis Duncan were excellent, but Queensland would hate the idea of containing Olakau’atu.
There are so many good times to be had on the northern beaches right now. The Eels’ win came after defeats by the Cowboys, Dragons and Dolphins.
But the toughest match on the calendar awaits next Sunday evening when Manly face Penrith, followed by premiership Brisbane.
Fogarty came off the field with a few minutes left and was pointing at his crotch. Manly hopes this is nothing more than tension.
Cult hero Jake Trbojevic scored the opening try inside five minutes when Eels center Will Penisini brought down a Fogarty shot.
The crowd stood up when they saw Trbojevic’s famous black helmet in the middle of the group.
Parramatta wasted no time in hitting back through Brian Kelly, who leapt from a Lehi Hopoate tackle and crossed into the right-hand corner.
Both teams had their chances and had a stake in the restart of the sets but lacked the skill to convert any position on the court into points.
The Eels did well to hang on for so long in the contest and the scoreline in the second half was not a fair reflection of their efforts. They face the troops but have an angry rift.
Parramatta hooker Tallyn Da Silva could be in hot water after being sin-binned for a lifting tackle on Jake Simpkin.
Manly striker Corey Waddell’s afternoon was cut short with a chest injury.
There were humorous scenes in the first half when winger Jason Saab deliberately deflected a Fogarty ball forward, but the Eels regained possession of the ball.
