Sea Eagles boost NRL finals chances with biggest win of 2024

The Manly Sea Eagles have improved their chances of making the 2024 NRL finals, thrashing the Newcastle Knights 44-6 at 4 Pines Park on Sunday evening.

There were parallels to the Sharks’ 59-6 drubbing of the Tigers earlier in the weekend, as Manly put on an absolute clinic for 80 minutes against Newcastle.

Admittedly, the Knights were without Dane Gagai, Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best courtesy of this Wednesday’s State of Origin decider. However, the visitors did themselves no favours with a woeful performance.

“It’s not just the players, I got some stuff wrong too,” said Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien after the match.

“It was a hard one to watch and a hard one to be a part of.”

Trbojevic and Hopoate turn it on for Manly

Two players stood head and shoulders above the rest of the side for the Sea Eagles, with fullback Tom Trbojevic and young gun Levi Hopoate standing tall.

Trbojevic was back in the No.1 jersey after playing in the centres last week, and he looked much more comfortable.

He bagged a try 15 minutes in, then added two assists over the course of the match.

“Of course, it felt natural being back there,” said Trbojevic, who is paying $8 at Bet365 to be Manly’s top tryscorer this season.

“I’ve always been a fullback. It’s hard to see myself playing elsewhere but I’m open to doing what’s best for the team.”

Hopoate, who will have his eyes on Trbojevic’s fullback position further down the line, scored himself a brace against the Knights.

The 19-year-old crossed twice in the second half, going over in the 58th and 77th minutes, despite dislocating his finger on field.

Sea Eagles looking good to make top eight

With their victory over Newcastle, the Sea Eagles sit in seventh place on the NRL ladder.

They sit one point clear of eighth and trail the fifth-placed Bulldogs and sixth-placed Dolphins by just one point.

NRL bookmakers have improved Manly’s outright winner odds to $19, putting them on the fourth line of betting alongside the Brisbane Broncos.

Bet365 is giving them a $1.14 chance of making the top eight, and $4 for a top-four finish.

Next up, Manly will face the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday, with the latter desperately seeking a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

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