The Manly Sea Eagles and the Melbourne Storm have been going at it for the good-side of 20 years, building a fierce rivalry that has produced plenty of fireworks over the seasons. The two foes played back-to-back Grand Finals against each other in 2007 and 2008, a rare circumstance that has yet to be done since.
The Storm was victorious in 2007 and, quite frankly, by far the best team in the competition, who sat six-points clear in first place. They met with the second-placed Manly, who lost their star fullback Brett Stewart early, and the side wasn't able to get out of second gear, letting the Storm run rampant in a 34-8 win.
12 months later, revenge was on the Sea Eagles' mind, producing one of the most complete demolition efforts ever in a Grand Final, winning 40-0 and sending the retiring Steve Menzie off as a Grand Final-winning legend. The Sea Eagles were a much silkier attacking outfit this time round, winning all three of their finals matches with a combined result of 110-12 points.
Here are some of the best showdowns that highlight why this rivalry is so special.
4. Round 11, 2018 - Dylan Walker vs. Curtis Scott
After a poor start to the year, only recording three wins so far in Manly's season, many were expecting the reigning premiers to run away with this one, but with Smith sidelined, it was a perfect time to strike. It was a try-less first half, with a 4-2 score in favour of the Storm at the break from a few penalty goals. However, when Curtis Scott and opposing centre Dylan Walker got into a melee, all hell broke loose. Scott was sent off, Walker in the sinbin and Apisai Koroisau also spent ten on the sidelines for running in with a punch. It was tough old-school footy, encapsulating the heated rivalry between the sides.
Manly were able to capitalise on the 12-man defence, scoring four tries while another Storm player also spent time in the bin, making it a two-man overlap. Trent Hodkinson made his return for the Sea Eagles for the first time since 2010, while a young Moses Suli started to stamp his presence in first grade. The pressure was building all game, and it ended up becoming a quality underdog win for the Sea Eagles.
