Manly start 2025 with a Turbo Charged thrashing

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Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles v North Queensland Cowboys

The Manly Sea Eagles have started the 2025 season with arguably their best performance in a long time with a 42-12 win over the North Queensland Cowboys.

The opening forty minutes was just one-way traffic as the Sea Eagles found their form quickly as possible and burnt the Cowboys out of the game. The hosts scored after just three minutes when back-to-back penalties helped them upfield and Haumole Olakau'atu scored out wide after steam rolling three defenders.

Another penalty against the Cowboys saw Manly go upfield and with ease Jason Saab was able to score. The Cowboys could only touch the ball for taking the kick-off with Ben Trbojevic scoring after Lehi Hopoate won a kick contest. Garrick added his second conversion of the night for a 16-0 lead after just 11 minutes.

Things weren't going right in any facet for the Cowboys as they could barely touch the ball and after 25 minutes Reuben Garrick added a penalty goal before just two minutes later, Tom Trbojevic found space through the middle before linking with Ethan Bullemor to score.

A couple of late first half penalties pushed the Cowboys upfield but their attack was just not in sync including a couple of passes that went more towards Kasey Badger on the sideline than the intended target.

The second half was a fast start for the Sea Eagles and they extended their lead to 30-0 when Tof Sipley was able to keep the ball just off the ground before reaching out to score. A burst down a narrow side from Jason Saab created space before a kick back into the middle of the field for Reuben Garrick to score. Garrick converted for a 36-0 lead.

Daly Cherry-Evans then added Manly's next just short of the hour mark as he went through some space and some poor defence to score. The conversion was good for a 42-0 lead.

The Sea Eagles eased up on the pressure leaving what looked like an almost certain 50 points in the bag as the Cowboys were able to pick up two late tries with Scott Drinkwater going through before Braidon Burns scored to put some respectability in the scores.

Next week, the Sea Eagles have a trip to Auckland to take on the Warriors on Friday night in front of a big crowd whilst the Cowboys return home for another tough task up against the Cronulla Sharks.