NRL round 3 LIVE: Can Parramatta down the high-flying Sea Eagles?

I know Xavier Coates may have the try of the year wrapped up already, but this one might finish the season in the top 10. What a spectacular effort from Manly.

It started inside their own 20 after Josh Aloiai was absolutely hammered on the first carry from the kick-off, they flung the ball wide for Reuben Garrick to race away down the right flank. As he approached Eels fullback Clint Gutherson, Garrick kicked ahead and Tom Trbojevic managed to outsprint Dylan Brown and score an absolute pearlier.

That is rugby league at its absolute best. Such a joy to watch.

Reuben Garrick makes no mistake with the conversion. What a start by the Sea Eagles.

Eels 0 Sea Eagles 8

Manly strike the first blow with Reuben Garrick kicking a simple penalty attempt from next to the uprights.

They had the opportunity after there was a crusher tackle penalty with Eels forwards Joey Lussick and Joe Ofahengaue in the tackle.

Eels 0 Sea Eagles 2

We had a captain’s challenge in the first tackle of the match on Friday night, and we’ve had another one after just a minute here at CommBank Stadium.

Daly Cherry-Evans has appealed to the referee after Josh Aloiai was ruled to have knocked the ball on in a tackle. He’s right, you know. Replays show J’Maine Hopgood having a little nibble at knocking the ball free.

Manly get the penalty and deep on the attack now.

We’re underway at CommBank Stadium. The Eels are celebrating Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s 200th NRL match, while also wearing black armbands as a tribute to someone close to the Parramatta prop.

Daly Cherry-Evans kicks off for Manly. This should be a cracker between two teams very much starting the year well.

Team news is in. Surprise, surprise, just the one change to discuss from the teams named on Tuesday.

Parramatta coach Brad Arthur has elevated Joe Ofahengaue to the starting side with Junior Paulo switching back to the bench. It’s been a familiar tactic this year and expect Paulo to play big minutes once he comes onto the field about the 20-minute mark.

No changes for Manly boss Anthony Seibold.

As an aside, it might have been an uncomfortable couple of hours for Arthur before kick-off with sons Jake (Sea Eagles) and Matt (Eels) playing each other in the NSW Cup curtain raiser. Blacktown Sea Eagles got the chocolates with a 40-20 win, which included Josh Schuster, playing in the middle of the park, grabbing a try.

It’s been a flying start to the year for the Sea Eagles, who upset the Rabbitohs in Las Vegas and then were very impressive disposing of the Roosters last week.

Luke Brooks is an early favourite for buy of the season, Daly Cherry-Evans keeps on keeping on, Haumole Olakau’atu is maybe the scariest man in the NRL right now and Tom Trbojevic is back. What’s not to like? They could even finish the weekend top of the ladder with a big win today.

But maybe it was a strange tactic used towards the end of last season which proves how coach Anthony Seibold is happy to think outside the square.

Adrian Proszenko did a deep dive on how the Sea Eagles are shaking up the NRL. You can read it here.

Righto, get your thoughts in?

Hello and welcome to Sunday footy from CommBank Stadium.

Adam Pengilly here to take you through all the action from one of the greatest rivalries in rugby league: Manly and Parra.

It reminds you of those old Tooheys New ads back in the day. We might not be in the 1980s any more, but the feeling between these two clubs still burns. Here we go again.

It’s a fine afternoon in Sydney’s west and we’re expecting close to a capacity crowd.