Manly's 32-10 romp over Newcastle on Sunday wasn't particularly mind-blowing, but it's what they left in reserve which will be terrifying other teams as the Sea Eagles charge towards the NRL finals.

The Eagles were clinical and ruthless in scoring after just 44 seconds and setting up a 22-0 halftime lead but despite the convincing victory - their first in Newcastle since 2006 - they appeared to be cruising in second gear.

Like St George Illawarra and Melbourne, Manly have fought hard to turn themselves into an efficient machine and they look in total control of their game.

Despite the ease in which they crushed the Knights, stars Brett Stewart and Kieran Foran just did what they needed to do, Anthony Watmough wasn't required to return from a minor shoulder problem and Glenn Stewart and Brent Kite were given early showers.

Only time will tell what Manly are capable of when they fire from all cylinders.

"I was very pleased with the way we defended today. It's always a tough ask, always a tough job coming to Newcastle and today we played really consistent football," said coach Des Hasler, who was more focused on pushing for an upgrade to Brookvale Oval - after being impressed by the Knights' outstanding new facilities at Ausgrid Stadium.

Hasler is justifiably frustrated that most other NSW league venues have received major funding for upgrades, while Brookvale has been largely ignored.

Not for the first time, he called on NSW premier Barry O'Farrell and sports minister Graham Annesley to come to the party and provide the Sea Eagles with a substantial boost for the future, as they aim for more immediate success on the field this season.

"I hope you're listening, Barry. There are probably over 400,000 people in the Northern Beaches constituency and they deserve the same facilities," Hasler said.

Sea Eagles' captain Jamie Lyon was best on ground, scoring a double - including a runaway effort in the first set of the match.

Michael Robertson, Steve Matai and the Stewart brothers also crossed for Manly who will remain in second place after the weekend.

From their opening-minute lapse, the writing was on the wall for the Knights - and to compound their poor play, they were again cursed by significant injuries and lost key outside backs Wes Naiqama (partially torn tricep) and Junior Sa'u before halftime.

The Knights also had the likes of Kurt Gidley and Matt Hilder unavailable, but the reality is they were never in the match anyway.

Sa'u was taken to hospital for precautionary scans on his neck and shoulder region, after a nasty collision resulted in him being stretchered off in a neck brace.

James McManus also suffered rib cartilage damage but played on - and with some lucky calls going his way from the match officials, the winger scored a late double.

Coach Rick Stone was offering no excuses, as his team dropped out of the top eight and prepare for a dog-fight to make the finals.

"From the 20th minute until the 40th minute, there was a few blokes who probably thought it was too hard," Stone said.

"We just panicked a bit after they got 12-0 up."

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