Adam Lucius at Brookvale Oval
Manly has officially farewelled veteran Steve Menzies and placed one hand on the minor premiership following a spiteful 28-10 win over Gold Coast at a packed Brookvale Oval.
The comfortable victory puts the Sea Eagles on top of the NRL ladder on for and against from Melbourne, setting the scene for an intriguing last round shoot-out between last year's grand finalists.
The win could come at a cost though, with Anthony Watmough and Steve Matai certain to come under scrutiny for high tackles.
Manly and the Storm both sit on 36 competition points but the Sea Eagle have nudged ahead on for and against.
Des Hasler's men boast a points differential of +272 with the Storm close behind on +264.
Cronulla is level with Manly and Melbourne but its modest for and against record will prevent it snatching pole position unless there are major upsets in the final round.
The Sea Eagles travel to CUA Stadium to meet the disappointing Panthers on Saturday night while Melbourne hosts South Sydney at Olympic Park on Sunday evening.
Manly's last home appearance of the year, which began with the southern stand being officially christened the Fulton-Menzies Stand, was full of emotion.
The man of the moment ran out through a guard of honour formed by players from his junior club the Harbord United Devils, with Manly players wearing Harbord's red and white socks.
And the 14,755 fans didn't have to wait long for Manly to hit the front.
Watmough broke a couple of tackles close to the line before finding Glenn Hall, the powerfully-built second-rower proving impossible to stop from close range.
Matt Orford landed the conversion and after 10 minutes the hosts led 6-0.
The Sea Eagles went further ahead in the 22nd minute when centre Steve Matai took on Mat Rogers and touched the ball down on the line at his second attempt to ground it.
Orford missed the kick and it remained 10-0.
But for all its dominance, Manly had to be content with a four-point lead at halftime after the Titans struck three minutes before the interval.
Scott Prince launched an innocuous looking bomb which Manly players let Gavin Cooper take uncontested.
Cooper couldn't believe his luck when he spun around and saw vacant land between him and the try-line.
Prince converted the try to leave the visitors trailing 10-6 at the interval.
A bizarre try six minutes into the second half restored Manly's 10-point advantage.
Matt Orford drilled a poor kick straight at Prince, the ball striking the ducking Titans skipper on the shoulder and falling into Watmough's hands.
He found Stewart backing up and the Sea Eagles No.1 cruised over for his 47th try in 51 Brookvale Oval appearances.
Orford landed the conversion for a 16-6 lead.
Manly went further ahead just before the hour, Orford and Menzies cleverly creating space for Matai to surge over in the corner.
Orford struck his sideline conversion beautifully and the Sea Eagles were comfortable at 22-6.
Kite crossed for Manly's fifth try soon after before the game exploded in spectacular fashion.
Titans hooker Nathan Friend, the smallest player on the field, took exception to a tackle by Josh Perry on Daniel Conn, chasing the Sea Eagles prop and throwing the first punch as players came form everywhere to join the brawl.
Jordan Atkins scored a late try for Gold Coast to eat away at Manly's for and against.
Manly 28
Tries: Matai 2, Hall, Stewart, Kite
Goals: Orford 4
Gold Coast 10
Tries: Cooper, Atkins
Goals: Prince
Sportal Player of the Year
3 - Anthony Watmough (Sea Eagles)
2 - Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
1 – Matt Orford (Sea Eagles)