Manly are up to fourth place in the National Rugby League after a 50-10 rout of Parramatta on Monday night at Brookvale Oval.
The Sea Eagles replaced Cronulla in fourth spot after their nine tries to two victory, their first win in four games.
And bad news for New South Wales with Eels playmaker Jarryd Hayne ruled out of the State of Origin decider with a hamstring strain.
A day which began with Hayne's withdrawal finally delivered some good news for the Blues with back-rower Greg Bird declared an almost certain starter for the final game.
While skipper Paul Gallen remains a 50-50 proposition as he battles a foot injury, scans on the ankle injury Bird sustained playing for Gold Coast on Saturday night could not have been more positive for the Blues.
The loss of either Gallen or Bird would have been a devastating blow for a Blues side which lost its most experienced player in Hayne barely an hour into the squad's preparation for the Origin decider.
Hayne's place on the wing will be taken by Newcastle Knights flier James McManus.
