Monaghan leads Manly to win

Manly's Michael Monaghan made a last ditch bid for the NSW halfback job tonight by outshining teammate Matt Orford in the Sea Eagles' 22-12 NRL win over Parramatta at Brookvale Oval.

Monaghan put forward his case for inclusion in the Blues team when it is named on Tuesday by taking control of the Eagles to resurrect Manly from a 6-2 halftime deficit and claim a four tries to two victory in front of 19,944 fans.

Fullback Brett Stewart also put forward a strong argument for NSW selection, scoring two superb individual tries to take his tally at Brookvale to 35 tries from his last 34 games.

Despite playing at hooker Monaghan was everywhere tonight, igniting the Eagles comeback in the second half when they scored four tries in 15 minutes to steal the contest away from Parramatta.

Monaghan put Anthony Watmough through for a 60m break off a short ball in the 48th minute.
On the next tackle he grubbered ahead for Jamie Lyon, who in turn toed it away from an Eels defender and scored to level the game at 6-6.

Monaghan almost scored himself with a dummy half run in the 54th minute but was pulled down short, although Stewart scored with an identical run on the next tackle to give Manly the lead.

Orford tried all night and his efforts were finally rewarded in the 58th minute when his grubber was fielded by winger Chris Hicks who scored for a 16-6 lead.

Stewart then solidified the Manly buffer when he ran around the Parramatta defence and grounded the ball in the corner with just inches to spare in the 63rd minute - Lyon's sideline conversion grabbing a 16-point lead.

While Orford's attacking kicking game was solid, it was the midfield creativity of Monaghan and his long kicking game which prompted former NSW coach and Nine commentator Phil Gould to call for Blues selectors to consider him for Origin I.

"If you want a wildcard for NSW number seven I would take Michael Monaghan without any fear or favour," said Gould.

"I don't know if he is the best but I know you can win with him."

Eels replacement Zeb Taia burst over in the 68th minute which reduced the deficit to just 10 points but Manly held strong in the final 10 minutes.

Parramatta had started the better with Tim Smith stepping over in the 15th minute for an early 6-0 lead to the Eels.

Eels substitute Mark Riddell missed a sitter of a drop goal attempt in the 39th minute, spraying his shot from 8m out and directly in front of the posts.

Less than a minute later he was involved in giving away an obstruction penalty 20m out from his own line with just 20 seconds on the clock before halftime which allowed Lyon to grab an easy two points for Manly with a penalty goal.

Kiwi Test centre Steve Matai was a late inclusion for Manly after passing a fitness test on the ankle he injured in round one, with hooker Matt Ballin the unlucky player dropped.

His return gave Lyon a full run at five-eighth, but he didn't shine in the role and NSW selectors would be unlikely to gamble on him playing there for Origin I.

Matai was placed on report late in the first half for a swinging arm on Ben Smith which left the Eels centre with a bloodied nose.

AAP