Manly’s Strong Performance Under Kieran Foran
Manly’s resurgence under interim coach Kieran Foran has continued with a fourth consecutive win, as the Sea Eagles scored five tries in the second half to defeat the Parramatta Eels. This victory marked Manly’s first home win of the season, following a challenging start that saw them suffer three straight losses at Brookvale Oval, leading to the dismissal of former coach Anthony Seibold.
Under Foran’s leadership, the Sea Eagles have remained unbeaten and are currently sitting sixth on the NRL ladder after round eight. The 35-year-old, who retired as a player at the end of last season, has made history by becoming the first coach since the grand final era began in 1954 to take over mid-season and win their first four matches.
Penrith Panthers Dominate Newcastle Knights
Earlier on Sunday, Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards delivered an exceptional performance, guiding the Panthers to a dominant 32-point win over the Knights in Newcastle. Edwards scored a hat-trick of tries within the first 20 minutes at Hunter Stadium, while also accumulating 284 metres in running.
Edwards, who is the current NSW State of Origin fullback, has started the past five Origins for the Blues. However, his form has sparked an intriguing selection battle with Sydney Roosters captain James Tedesco, who previously held the position. This competition has become a “good problem” for NSW coach Laurie Daley ahead of Game I on May 27.
Penrith coach Ivan Cleary praised Edwards’ development in 2026, highlighting his all-around contributions during the match. “Dyl’s just everywhere all the time, he’s had a great season, does so much work, and some of the quality today as well — he turned up in the right spot to get the tries but threw a nice pass to a try as well, which is an evolution in this game as well,” Cleary said.
Cleary also acknowledged Tedesco’s outstanding performances, stating, “Teddy (Tedesco), I think he’s been outstanding, and that’s what you want ultimately. You want competition for spots, and no-one owns any Origin jersey.”
Melbourne Storm Face Challenges
Meanwhile, the Melbourne Storm have faced further difficulties with starting halfback Jahrome Hughes already ruled out of next week’s clash. Hughes failed a Head Injury Assessment (HIA) after Melbourne’s 42-point loss to South Sydney on Saturday.
The Storm’s number seven has entered concussion protocol and will not be available for the team’s upcoming match against the Dolphins at Lang Park. This setback adds to the challenges the Storm are facing this season.
Key Matches and Highlights
Other notable results from the weekend include:
- Manly Sea Eagles 33-18 Parramatta Eels: A strong second-half performance helped Manly secure their fourth consecutive win.
- Penrith Panthers 44-12 Newcastle Knights: Dylan Edwards’ standout performance was key to the Panthers’ victory.
Relive all the action from the weekend’s matches below.
