A statement performance from Dean Hawkins has steered the Eels to a dominant 30-10 win over the Sea Eagles.
Hawkins stepped in for NSW representative Mitchell Moses and starred with four try assists, while Joash Papalii celebrated his NRL debut with a try assist and try in the space of two minutes.
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Manly got on the board first through Lehi Hopoate, who went on to score a first-half double, but it was the Eels’ new-look backline that stole the show in the first 40 minutes.
Papalii was thrown into the action much earlier than expected after the Eels lost Will Penisini to a head knock 90 seconds into the game — and the 20-year-old shone.
The Eels scored two tries in two minutes to lock up scores before getting a third just before half time.
Hawkins had a hand in all three tries, while Papalii set up the first and scored the second.
The Eels picked up where they left off in the second half, with Isaiah Iongi and J’maine Hopgood scoring to extend their side’s lead.
Even with Tom Trbojevic in their side Manly couldn’t find the spark necessary to keep up with a spirited Eels outfit.
“We were so good six days ago!” | 04:34
HIGH-FLYING HAWKINS
There’s no tougher job than stepping in to replace a superstar No.7 but Dean Hawkins passed the test with flying colours.
The Fox League panel challenged Hawkins pre-game given he was signed to the Eels for this exact reason – to steer ship when Mitchell Moses was unavailable – and the 26-year-old delivered.
He had a hand in all three of the Eels first-half tries with his kicking game, running game and passing game on show.
Hawkins put in a grubber under pressure in the lead-up to the Eels’ first try and then threw the final pass to set up their next two tries.
Champion halfback Cooper Cronk was particularly impressed with how Hawkins was able to put Jack Williams into a gap to score with the Fox League expert analyst calling it a “beautiful try assist” and added: “Dean Hawkins, give yourself a pat on the back.”
Hawkins had his fingerprints on everything in the second half too, adding another two try assists to his tally to take his final stats to four try assist and two linebreak assists as well as a forced dropout and 16 tackles with one miss.
“He was brought to the club for something like this and he has delivered for his team… he’s been absolutely terrific,” Cronk said.
PAPALII’S DEBUT TO REMEMBER
After a head knock to centre Will Penisini, Eels debutant Joash Papalii was almost immediately thrust into the action against the Sea Eagles.
And the young gun, who arrived from the Bulldogs ahead of the 2025 season, well and truly proved he has what it takes to cut it in the NRL.
The 20-year-old impressed in the pre-season challenge, with many expecting him to feature in first grade earlier than Round 12.
However, he has taken his opportunity with both hands, setting up a Jordan Samrani try in impressive fashion before scoring one of his own.
“A moment to remember for this 20-year-old from Punchbowl… the joy belongs to this man. He has been compared in style to someone like Roger Tuivasa-Sheck,” commentator Dan Ginnane said.
“We haven’t seen his step yet, but we have seen his smile and that could light up CommBank Stadium.”
Papalii finished his side’s big win over Manly with 54 running metres and a try from nine carries, slotting onto the wing.
CHERRY GRIPE
This was Tom Trbojevic’s chance to show NSW selectors that they missed a trick by not picking him for the Origin opener, but instead it was a horror show for the Sea Eagles who looked lifeless without veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans.
Trbojevic played a part in both of Lehi Hopoate’s first-half tries and produced a strong tackle to deny a rampaging Luca Moretti, but he was well contained in attack and held to just one tackle bust.
Manly’s middles were no match for the Eels which meant Jake Arthur and Luke Brooks didn’t have the time and space they needed to ask questions on the edges.
The attack looked slow and was far too side to side, with the Sea Eagles missing Cherry-Evans who may not be in the best form, but he’s still able to create opportunities even when the team is on the back foot.
It’s a worrying sign for Manly who will be hoping Jamal Fogarty comes in next year and fixes the glaring issues on display on Friday night.
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TEAMS
Eels team: 1. Isaiah Iongi 2. Sean Russell 3. Viliami Penisini 4. Jordan Samrani 5. Josh Addo-Carr 6. Dylan Brown 7. Dean Hawkins 8. Jack Williams 9. Ryley Smith 10. Junior Paulo 12. Kitione Kautoga 13. J’maine Hopgood 11. Kelma Tuilagi 14. Dylan Walker 15. Luca Moretti 16. Ryan Matterson 18. Joash Papali’i. 18th man: 17. Matt Doorey
Sea Eagles team: 1. Tom Trbojevic 2. Jason Saab 3. Tolutau Koula 4. Reuben Garrick 5. Lehi Hopoate 6. Luke Brooks 7. Jakob Arthur 8. Ethan Bullemor 9. Jake Simpkin 10. Siosiua Taukeiaho 11. Haumole Olakau’atu 15. Corey Waddell 13. Jazz Tevaga 14. Lachlan Croker 16. Nathan Brown 17. Matthew Lodge 22. Caleb Navale. 18th man: 18. Clayton Faulalo
