DES HASLER stayed quiet, but Paul Gallen squealed.
"They were awesome - they're the best team I've played this year," the Sharks captain said.
The message was clear. The Sea Eagles are the new benchmark. They blew the Sharks away with an opening 40 minutes in which they did not make one error.
Pounding Cronulla in the top-of-the-table clash proved beyond any reasonable doubt they are motoring towards premiership redemption.
"Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, this is a war," screamed the ground announcer before kick-off. The kiddies were confused. If this was a war, why was there a big toy shark called MC Hammerhead running around? Wars have mascots and cheer girls?
A frenzied crowd of 18,217 piled in after a week of hate-inspired build-up, and when Sea Eagles' second-rower Anthony Watmough's first tackle knocked the living stuffing out of Kade Snowden, it was on.
If only more wars ended so soon. The Sea Eagles led 6-0 after five minutes; 12-0 after 13 minutes when Josh Perry - taking on Sharks prop Ben Ross for the first time since their early round collision sent Ross's teeth to the moon - powered over; and 22-0 after 23 minutes.
This was no war. It wasn't even a street fight. It was a tip-toe through the tulips in what was supposed to be the match of the week.
"It's a daunting place to come," Hasler said.
"Our opening 40 minutes, I think we completed 20 out of 20 sets. It was very disciplined, very sharp and very clinical. We've got Parramatta at Brookvale Oval next week and we would like to see all our fans turn out and really get behind this team.
"We want the doors closed and the joint full."
The Sharks were supposed to prove last night they are grand final contenders and not pretenders. Maybe their hopes are make-believe. Gallen had an enormous game but he was something of a one-man band. It was 22-6 at the break.
"Tense stuff, folks," said the ground announcer. Yes, mate. Tense stuff. Sharks halfback Brett Kimmorley had some unhappy moments. It was not particularly tense stuff, folks.
"They stung us early and we couldn't recover," Sharks coach Ricky Stuart said.
Asked directly if Manly were the NRL benchmark, Hasler said: "Oh, no. No, no, no."
Rodney Rude gets less laughs.
"I think we're a better team overall than last year," Sea Eagles captain Matt Orford said.
Glenn Stewart ended up with a double. Orford ended up with a hobble. He limped off with 15 minutes left but later claimed to be OK.
Hasler spent the game in a glass box next to the journalists. There were occasions when watching Hasler was more entertaining than the war that never was.
The man rides every minute. He cares a great deal. Brilliant. Manly wake this morning on top of the ladder, if not the world.
MANLY 34 (G Stewart 2 M Ballin J Perry B Stewart M Robertson tries M Orford 3 J Lyon 2 goals) bt CRONULLA 6 (P Gallen try L Covell goal) at Toyota Stadium. Referee: J Robinson. Crowd: 18,217.