BY CURTIS WOODWARD

@woodward_curtis

Rugby league is back baby and how damn good is it!

Each weekend we will dive deep into the biggest rivalry of the round and there can only be one this time… how do you feel?

Here are five of the greatest modern matches between the Blue and Gold Army and the Silvertails.

ROUND 8, 2006 AT THE SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND

Old foes Manly and Parramatta clashed at the SCG to commemorate the 30-year anniversary of the ’76 grand final. The Eels shot out to a 16-0 lead during the first-half but the resurgent Eagles clawed their way back to make it 22-all before a late Matt Orford field-goal sealed a classic win.

ROUND 2, 2010 AT PARRAMATTA STADIUM

This is a game Manly coach Des Hasler would surely like to forget. His Sea Eagles shot out of the blocks with a commanding 20-0 lead to leave the locals at Parra Stadium in total shock. Enter 2010 Dally M Medalist Jarryd Hayne as the Eels made a mighty comeback to win 24-20 including a cracking Timana Tahu try.

ROUND 10, 2003 AT BROOKVALE OVAL

Eels coach Brian Smith dropped a bunch of players ahead of their trip to Manly to face the Sea Eagles and it seemed to do the trick… almost. In a high scoring encounter, the combatants finished regular time at 34-all leading to the first golden point game in the history of the NRL. Ben Walker won the game for Manly with a penalty shot from wide out.

ROUND 22, 2016 AT PARRAMATTA STADIUM

With both teams preparing for Mad Monday, Parramatta were strengthened by the return of several stars before kick-off. Little Eels dynamo Bevan French scored a magical opening try but there weren’t many points after that.

ROUND 3, 2014 AT BROOKVALE OVAL

The hapless Eels traveled to Brookvale for what many thought would be a hiding to nothing against the powerhouse Sea Eagles but nobody showed Parramatta the script as they scrapped to an 18-16 lead with less than ten minutes to play. Manly broke Eels hearts however with a Steve Matai try with less than 60 seconds to play.