The Parramatta Eels have opened their National Rugby League season with a 42-12 rout of Manly in Sydney, with the Sea Eagles coach afterwards confirming Daly Cherry-Evans is leaving for the Titans.
Manly were dominated up front by a dynamic Eels pack and fell apart across the park in the second half - the ongoing re-signing saga surrounding Kangaroos rep Cherry-Evans and Kiwis star Kieran Foran appearing to have sapped the Sea Eagles' famous resolve.
Daly Cherry-Evans is leaving Manly for the Titans Photo: Photosport
Semi Radradra proved there will be life at Parramatta after Jarryd Hayne as the blockbusting winger scored a hat-trick to spearhead the Eels' big win.
Radradra scored in the eighth, 34th and 53rd minutes to inspire a tough and spirited Eels outfit in their first match since Hayne announced he will play for the San Fransisco 49ers in the NFL.
With Hayne watching on, a trim-looking Chris Sandow steered Parramatta around the park brilliantly, scoring two tries.
Foran, who's expected to announce soon that he's joining Parramatta next season, also pulled a hamstring to compound a wretched night for the visitors, whose coach Geoff Toovey confirmed after the game that Cherry-Evans is heading to Gold Coast in 2016.
"Yeah he just announced that to the boys after game, so that's disappointing but at least he's got his future, I suppose, settled, and we can get on with playing some good football," Toovey told reporters.
"We're all very disappointed obviously you know, but again as I said it gives some clarity around the matter and we can move forward."
Foran is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.