Staines bags another double as Penrith run riot against Manly
Staff at the Post Office Hotel in Forbes were run off their feet again as patrons queued for their free schooners every time proud local and Panthers rookie Charlie Staines a try.
After the 19-year-old bagged four tries on debut a fortnight earlier - and gave the poor publican heart palpitations - he was at it again at Lottoland, jagging a double in the opening 25 minutes.
Charlie Staines crosses for his second try on Saturday night.Credit:Getty Images
When The Sun-Herald called the pub midway through the game, staffer Sarah O'Neill said: "We've got about 40 people in here. They're all coming back as we speak for their second free drinks.''
Staines somehow stayed in the field of play to bag his first in the eighth minute, then defied gravity by leaping high into the air and planting the ball down for his second.
He put so much effort into getting across the line that Staines twinged his hamstring and his night was suddenly over.
Sadly for the Sea Eagles, so was theirs.
The Panthers remained at the top of the NRL ladder by blasting the Sea Eagles 42-12.
Their first half was nothing short of unreal. Next Saturday night's clash back home at the foot of the mountains against Canberra will be a belter.
Hopefully Staines will be cleared of any serious injury. There was his fantastic debut, but then he celebrated afterwards with too many family and friends, and breached COVID-19 protocols even further when he dragged himself off to hospital that same night with lockjaw.
Nathan Cleary, who spent a lot of time growing up in Sea Eagles territory, had the ball on a string. He grubbered for himself in the second half to score.
Few halfbacks would have been capable of firing his long looping pass with such accuracy for Staines' second.
Cleary is in serious form. The only possible knock on the kid right now is his hair.
Liam Martin let the Manly boys know he meant business with nearly every tackle, while James Fisher-Harris was again excellent in the middle.
One of the few highlights for the Sea Eagles was skipper Daly Cherry-Evans racing nearly 90 metres to mow down Brent Naden for what looked ready to be more points just before half-time.
He also set up Jake Trbojevic's first-half try, helped put Jorge Taufua over with a wobbly cross-field kick, and came up with a vital 40/20 midway through the second half. But again the Penrith defence refused to buckle.
Dylan Walker returned from a foot injury and forced newly re-signed Cade Cust out of the 17 altogether.
And coach Des Hasler would have cringed around the 11th minute when he realised Walker had re-injured his foot and hobbled from the field. Walker appeared to suffer the fresh injury in the opening set, but tried to play through the pain.
Curtis Sironen slipped with four minutes remaining and hobbled off with what appeared a knee injury.
Manly will finish the weekend outside the eight and needing to beat the New Zealand Warriors at home next Friday evening. Each week that passes means Tom Trbojevic is a week closer to returning from his hamstring injury.
The Manly fans were unhappy when Isaah Yeo took an eternity to get the ball between the posts and was awarded a try. They blew up when Brendan Elliot knocked on after he collided with Martin who did his best to diffuse a Cleary kick.
But even the most rusted-on Sea Eagles supporters would have appreciated what Penrith produced.
In keeping with the August 1 horse's birthday, why not have a small bet on Penrith meeting the Sydney Roosters in the grand final? With Staines to score a try. And the Post Office Hotel to hand over their share of free beers.