Tom Trbojevic has shown why he is the best man for Manly's No.1 jersey, spearheading the Sea Eagles to seventh spot on the NRL ladder with a 44-6 win over Newcastle.
In a brutally one-sided affair at Brookvale, Trbojevic tormented Newcastle's makeshift edges and tore apart the Knights' defence with his hands.
With no Kalyn Ponga, Bradman Best or Dane Gagai, Newcastle struggled to threaten in attack and never appeared to be in the contest.
In defence, the makeshift centres of Dylan Lucas and Thomas Cant were sitting ducks for Trbojevic.
Playing out of position at centre himself a week ago as Manly eased him back from a hamstring injury, Trbojevic only moved back to No.1 with Tolu Koula injured this week.
But on Sunday he put to bed any questions over his best position in this Sea Eagles side.
The 27-year-old's speed and presence were issues for the Newcastle defenders all match, as he regularly created space out wide for his outside men.
Winger Lehi Hopoate benefited with a double, while fellow outside backs Jason Saab, Reuben Garrick and Tommy Talau all scored tries.
"I've always been a fullback, so of course it felt natural being back there," Trbojevic said.
"It's hard to see myself playing elsewhere, but I'm open to doing what's best for the team. I'm happy to do whatever."
It's also now hard to see Manly playing Trbojevic anywhere but fullback.
Of their eight tries, four came when Trbojevic swung across to an edge and chimed in before a winger or centre broke down field.
He set up another when he scooped up a ball on the half-volley and found Haumole Olakau'atu unmarked, putting the second-rower over untouched.
And the No.1 also scored one try himself, chasing down a Luke Brooks bomb and leaping over opposite number Fletcher Sharpe to catch the ball and score.
"He's an elite player," coach Anthony Seibold said of Trbojevic.
"We came with a plan and the guys executed the plan really well.
"We wanted to use our weapons, which is Turbo (Trbojevic) ... and our speed."
Still, the highlight of the day belonged to Hopoate, who set up a try by running on to a cross-field kick from Brooks, catching it and passing inside to Talau in one motion.
South Sydney-bound halfback Jamie Humphreys also impressed on debut, scoring Manly's first and having some nice touches in their backline movements.
Newcastle could also have entered the top eight with victory on Sunday.
Instead, they remain in 10th place and with a difficult fortnight ahead against Brisbane and Penrith.
Their only points came when Tyson Frizell crossed late, but by that stage they trailed 38-0.
Their afternoon was summed up by two penalties from kick-offs, while one of Manly's tries came in the plays after Newcastle failed to get a man to dummy-half.
"We can't let it define us, we need to pick ourselves up," coach Adam O'Brien said.
"I know we're going to lose games, but how we lose them and the fight has always been reasonably good.
"You would have to go back to (early) 2023 to really look at some really disappointing games.
"I don't believe that is who we are any more, but that's who we are tonight and we need to fix it."
