NRL live updates: Manly Sea Eagles vs Parramatta Eels — blog ...

A serious note from Brookvale Oval.

A photographer from the Australian Associated Press — who we at ABC Sport use as a service — has had an apparent heart attack while working at Brookvale Oval.

John Gibbs reported to ABC Sport that the photographer had been taken to a nearby hospital.

Our thoughts are with them, and their family.

The first 40 minutes were really interesting for the neutral.

Parramatta looks a lot more committed in defence, while Manly looks a little off.

But the Sea Eagles have found ways to win so far in 2024.

Hey Mike.

Remember mate, Parra led 10-4 after 50 minutes last week in Darwin.

It was the second half where it all went pear-shaped.

But I agree. Parra looks much sharper tonight. We have a great 40 minutes coming up.

Bailey Simonsson makes a break down the right touchline with 30 seconds to go.

He chooses to kick in field — was that the right decision?

Daly Cherry Evans is able to come across and kick the ball dead, and the clock will run down to half-time.

Simonsson could have taken the tackle and Parra would have had maybe two more plays.

It's done now. The Eels will be happy going into the break.

Parramatta are feeling it at the end of the first half.

It was almost a copy of the previous try, just to the right.

A play-the-ball on fourth tackle 30 metres out. Parra swing to the right with a ball out the back to Gutherson.

 Will Penisini gets the ball and makes his opponent miss, he draws the Manly full back and gives the ball to Bailey Simonsson who finishes off the play.

Gutherson has missed all conversions tonight — they have all been from the sideline.

Maika Sivo has a double.

He has become the first opposition player in history to score a double in three consecutive matches at Brookvale Oval.

The ball was played 25 metres from the Manly line. Parra goes to the left, and Gutherson is able to create and overlap.

They give it to Sivo who charges to the line and scores.

I wrote earlier that both teams are into each other in this contest.

Well it is threatening to kick-off between the interchange benches.

ABC Sport sideline reporter John Gibbs has told the live call that Manly's Josh Aloiai was trying to goad Parramatta's Joe Ofahengaue into a wrestle on the sideline.

Odd, considering the saga in the Bulldogs-Knights clash last week.

Luke Brooks has produced a grubber kick to the left wing that Luke Lewis on ABC Sport called "pin-point",

Final play of the set, close to the Eels' try line, Brooks gets the ball and sees the Parramatta right-winger infield.

He grubbers in behind and Manly's Tommy Talau collects it in stride and scores.

Reuben Garrick kicks the conversion. 

It is 6-6.

There have been some strong tackles in the opening 25 minutes of this contest.

A few players have been slow to their feet after being on the receiving end of a bone-rattler.

We have had some push and shove between the two sides.

Ref Gerard Sutton has a word to both captains to ensure the emotion does not boil over.

Maika Sivo finishes off a great passage of play for the Eels.

Dylan Brown set it up earlier with a linebreak which required a great one-on-one tackle from Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic.

On last tackle, it looked like the play was dead when Parra centre Morgan Harper was caught with the footy.

But he got an offload to Clint Gutherson, who throws a basketball-style pass to Sivo he goes into the corner.

Manly are threatening, but have missed a chance.

Jason Saab was unmarked on the right wing, five metres from the try line.

The pass bounces to him, and the Saab is just into touch before he can get the ball down.

To be fair, I think he dropped it over the line anyway.

In all honestly, Manly were the only team who looked like scoring in the last 10 minutes —and they had 12 men.

I don't believe Parra had a tackle inside Manly's defensive 20 metres.

Well done Sea Eagles.

Parramatta spilled the ball midfield and gave Manly great field position.

Manly have a set, finish 10 metres out, Daly Cherry-Evans grubbers and the Eels play at it and give the set restart.

They have another set at the line, but the Eels' defence holds strong.

Clint Gutherson has a simple goal attempt by his standards — 21 metres out on a slight angle to the left.

He nails it.

Parra leads 2-0.

The Eels have been awarded back-to-back penalties for dangerous tackles.

Josh Aloiai is called for a lifting tackle on J'maine Hopgood. ABC Sport caller Luke Lewis says Hopgood, the ball carrier, contributed to the dangerousness of the tackle. 

Nevertheless, it's a penalty.

Two plays later there is another lifting tackle.

Haumole Olakau'atu has been sent to the sin bin. Not a great lifting tackle on Shaun Lane.

Penalty to the Eels in front of the posts.

The Manly Sea Eagles have come out with serious intent.

They have had two sets with the ball and have moved the ball laterally well — trying to spread the Parra defence.

The Sea Eagles' first defensive set was fierce. Parra only making 26 metres.

Parramatta are coming off a horror show last week.

But they have won four of their past five meetings against the Sea Eagles — including round three just five weeks ago.

Let me what you think throughout tonight's clash.

Let's go.

There is a huge crowd at Brookvale Oval.

Australian Defence Force veteran David Milne is reading the Ode.

Both teams stand arm-in-arm for the Last Post.

There is stone silence at Brookvale.

Thanks for joining us Natty.

Make sure you let me know your thoughts during tonight's clash between the Sea Eagles and Eels.