‘Torrential Triumph’: Tom Trbojevic Shines as Sea Eagles Decimate Cowboys with a ‘Mesmerising’ 10-Minute Surge

On Saturday night, the Manly Sea Eagles delivered a commanding 42-12 victory over the North Queensland Cowboys at Brookvale Oval.

Fullback Tom Trbojevic played a pivotal role in the match, amassing 234 run metres, providing two try assists, and contributing significantly with one line break and three line break assists.

“With that amount of possession, he’s virtually unstoppable,” remarked Mal Meninga during his commentary for Fox League.

Reflecting on Trbojevic’s impressive opening half, Cooper Cronk quipped: “Give him the Dally M already; he’s in red-hot form as the season kicks off.”

Haumole Olakau’atu crashed over the try line to kick off the scoring just three minutes into the match. The hulking back-rower capitalised on a precise pass from skipper Daly Cherry-Evans, powering through three defenders to score.

Reuben Garrick was unable to convert the try, yet the quick start established an aggressive tone for Manly.

Just four minutes later, Manly had doubled their lead on the right flank with Jason Saab scoring, followed swiftly by a try from Ben Trbojevic before the 10-minute mark.

“We’ve witnessed some teams in the last twenty years make strong starts, but I can’t recall one as good as this,” Greg Alexander noted during the Fox League broadcast.

“They haven’t coughed up the ball; they’ve been flawless with it.”

The Cowboys found themselves penalised for holding onto Cherry-Evans as he attempted to reach a grubber and break through for a try.

This was not considered a professional foul or penalty try, but Garrick slotted the penalty kick, extending the Sea Eagles’ lead to three converted tries.

The offensive display continued as Trbojevic feigned a run at the halfway mark before sprinting through to set up Ethan Bullemor for a try right under the posts.

Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Manly ended the first half with a commanding 24-0 lead, having completely stifled North Queensland’s attack.

In the first half, Manly dominated possession, while the Cowboys were forced into making a staggering 152 tackles compared to Manly’s 53.

“Those numbers are astonishing,” Alexander remarked regarding the tackle discrepancy.

The second half saw the bombardment continue, with Toafofoa Sipley powering through for another try in the 49th minute.

The Sea Eagles’ momentum didn’t let up, as Trbojevic and Saab connected to create space for the winger down the shortside, leading to Saab’s exceptional grubber that allowed Garrick to score.

“I can’t believe my eyes. Manly are playing phenomenally well … this is truly scintillating football,” Alexander exclaimed.

Cherry-Evans, marking his 15th season opener, got in on the scoring action himself, executing a clever dummy and slipping past Jeremiah Nanai for a try, bringing Manly’s tally to 40 points.

The Cowboys eventually broke through with a consolation try from Scott Drinkwater in the 72nd minute, followed by a second from Braidon Burns five minutes later, though it did little to affect the outcome.