Storm 26 Sea Eagles 4
MANLY's millionaire owner, property developer Max Delmege, predicted before the match that the Storm would lose by eight points, they were shadows of their former selves and they would not win this year's premiership.
Had the defending premiers sliced off the Sea Eagle's head, stuck an apple in its mouth and then served it up to Delmege on a silver platter, they surely would not have made as obvious a point as they did on the field. They completely shut out Manly in much the same manner as last year's grand final. They proved they are, in every way, as efficient as ever. And they are again the team to beat in the premiership.
Manly could do nothing but latch on to the tail of the tornado and hold on as the Storm raged to their 26-4 victory, having led 14-0 at half-time.
Storm fullback Billy Slater could do no more to impress national selectors after scoring two brilliant individual tries, but for Manly there is more to worry about than the fact that the scar tissue of last year's grand final defeat remains. Back-rower Anthony Watmough suffered ligament damage to his ankle when he twisted awkwardly in a tackle. He will undergo scans today.
In the lead-up to the match, Manly players confessed they were yet to watch a replay of last year's grand final. It was a moot point. Not even the most hard-nosed players would subject themselves to a re-run of their own execution. Not even Des Hasler. Still, it was clear from the outset they had learnt from last October, when the Sea Eagles repelled wave after wave of attack as the Storm harassed them down the left edge.
But like the grand final, last night it soon became clear that the Storm - for whatever reason - have Manly's measure.
That was clear when Storm five-eighth Greg Inglis scored in the 19th minute using the same right-hand fend that was successful last time. But you sensed the try that inflicted the most damage was Slater's second only 10 minutes later.
Storm centre Will Chambers set it up when he gobbled up a round-the-corner pass from Ryan Hoffman, smoked it downfield and kicked inside for halfback Cooper Cronk to pounce.
From the next play, Slater produced a dancefloor move that must have had national selectors in Sydney twirling their moustaches in anticipation of the Centenary Test against the Kiwis on May 9.
From a cold, standing start, he jinked and jived, weaved around one of his own players and threaded through Manly's line to push his side out to 14-0 lead, which they took to half-time.
If Slater didn't impress Australian selectors with last night's virtuoso performance, he should consider returning to his former job as a trackwork jockey. If Manly halfback Matt Orford left NSW selectors with a positive impression - based on his first-half performance at least - it will be some minor miracle.
Orford shrugs his shoulders whenever asked why he is considered a choker when it comes to big games. Last year's grand final provided some compelling evidence. Last night's match was merely additional proof as he struggled to ignite anything on final plays when the pigskin was in hand or on his laces.
What's certain it that his former coach, Craig Bellamy, who will coach NSW for the first time this season, does not share the opinion of those who believe Orford is merely a maligned character. While he might not say it publicly, take it as fact that Ballamy wasn't distraught that astronomical figures dragged Orford north. He's more than happy with Cronk - and he will not be happy if Orford is his No.7 for the Blues, even though the two were seen sharing a beer outside the Manly rooms after the match.
No, Manly never looked like scoring a point. When their centre Steve Bell - another former Stormboy - slid across in the 54th minute, they appeared to have finally troubled the scoreboard attendant.
But video referee Bill Harrigan threw the decision back to referee Tony Archer, who declared Inglis and co had held him up.
There and then, Delmege must have known his days as a prophet were over.
MELBOURNE 26 (B Slater 2 G Inglis A Quinn R Hoffman tries C Smith 3 goals) bt MANLY 4 (M Bani try) at Olympic Park. Referee: T Archer. Crowd: 13,632.
