Dally M Medallist Tom Trbojevic picked up where he left off in 2021 as Manly thrashed Wests Tigers 28-4 in their trial at Leichhardt Oval.
With both teams fielding their strongest available sides in the first half on Friday, the star fullback had a hand in all three Sea Eagles tries, breaking clear on the stroke of the main break to help set up Christian Tuipulotu on his 21st birthday.
Young Manly winger Raymond Tuaimalo Vaega collected a second-half hat-trick as the big guns kicked their feet up.
There were seemingly no injuries with NRL ramifications except for Manly forward Sean Keppie copping a head knock.
The Sea Eagles led 12-4 at half-time - winger Reuben Garrick unable to land a conversion - after which both coaches rung the changes and gave mostly their younger players a run.
Manly captain Daly Cherry-Evans had some typically classy moments including a booming 40/20 that preceded the playmaker's involvement in Garrick's 25th-minute four-pointer.
Underfire Tigers halfback Luke Brooks threw the pass for second-rower Kelma Tuilagi to score early in proceedings but had few other highlights in his 40-minute stint.
With recruit Jackson Hastings (leg injury) and Adam Doueihi (knee) sidelined, Brooks partnered promising five-eighth Jock Madden in the halves.
Fullback Daine Laurie and James Roberts (knee infection) also sat out, but Tigers fans got their first look at centre Oliver Gildart and lock Tyrone Peachey in black and orange.
Maori All Stars representatives Dylan Walker and Morgan Harper were rested for the Sea Eagles as they watched on with Jake Trbojevic (rib) and Josh Schuster (ankle).
Despite Jake's absence, Tom Trbojevic took the field with little brother Ben, who played in the centres, and quickly had an impact by firing a ball for Brad Parker to open the scoring.
Tuaimalo Vaega snaffled a bomb at pace and careered away to get on the scoresheet.
Sea Eagles speed machine Tolu Koula came off the interchange and while he wasn't seen in open space, his zip was obvious as he positioned Vaega for his second and third tries.
A 19-year-old fullback or centre, Toula clocked a record 100m track time of 10.58 seconds at the AAGPS Athletics Open Championships in 2019.
The Bunker was heavily involved with three tries overturned on review and a captain's challenge sent upstairs.
The result was sweet for the Sea Eagles after they were belted 52-18 by the Tigers in last year's trial.
