Des Hasler wants to refer to them as "Voldemorts", but Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy might have something sterner to describe the match officials as after his side were denied two tries in their 24-22 loss to Manly.

Referee errors threaten to overshadow the first class performance by Cherry-Evans with the Storm robbed of two almost certain tries either side of half-time.

The first resulted in a potential 12-point turnaround when Jared Maxwell refused to check with the video referee over a potential try to Storm winger Young Tonumaipea.

The try would have seen the Storm extend their lead by least four. Cheyse Blair looked to have fumbled a crossfield kick during a contest with Tonumaipea, only for the Melbourne winger to put the ball down inside the dead ball line.

Despite Tonumaipea's protests, Manly received a 20 metre restart and the match changed. Stewart went on to score from the ensuing set with the Sea Eagles scoring three tries in the final nine minutes of the first half to take a 24-6 half-time lead. Melbourne would only touch the ball for one more set in the half after the no try ruling.

As the Storm tried to claw their way back into the game, they were denied what seemed a regulation try by video referees Steve Chiddy and Luke Patten. While the on-field decision was no try, Tim Glasby's momentum looked to have seen him carry Brett Stewart over the tryline, only for it to be deemed a double movement.  

In what may be a NRL first, referees boss Tony Archer fronted after the game but said he was unable to go into the  Tonumaipea decision because he had not had a chance to review it. Archer supported "the process" of the no try to Glasby.

"It's hard for me to speculate until I review it," Archer said of the first decision. "I'll review it overnight and be in a better decision to comment.

"[Glasby's situation] The ball hit the ground short on the line and the video referee ruled he drove off his leg. I was happy with the process."

Despite the adversity, the Storm fought back to score 16 unanswered points with Blake Green scoring a second half double.

Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy refused to comment on the officials in fear of a fine.

"If there are avenues for me to talk to someone about tonight I will do that," Bellamy said. "I can't say anything.  At the end of the day I don't give a rats' what we did in the second half. I was hugely disappointed in what we did at the end of the first half."

If Cherry-Evans was worried about the reception he would receive from the Manly faithful, he quickly had them falling in love with him again, igniting the crowd with a first half blitz.

Coach Geoff Toovey praised Cherry-Evans' efforts.

"They all appreciate Daly about his playing ability and character," Toovey said. "I'm sure he wants to send them out on a high note.

"The whole club has been under a bit of pressure. The players have handled it very well. We want to build some momentum."

Cherry-Evans showed his class, laying on two tries in his first appearance since announcing his defection to the Titans at the end of the year. Stewart's brace also saw him overtake Steve Menzies as the most prolific try-scorer at Brookvale Oval – taking his tally to 79 from 86 games in front of a crowd of 10,531.  

After a disastrous pre-season filled with conjecture surrounding the futures of Cherry-Evans Kieran Foran, potential player rifts, uncertainty surrounding coach Geoff Toovey and a round one shellacking at the hands of the Eels, the playing group was able to brush that aside to beat Melbourne.

Cherry-Evans had a hand in each of Stewart's two tries while a deft crossfield grubber held for Blake Leary to score his first NRL try.

Feleti Mateo showed why he was such an important off-season recruit for the Sea Eagles when he laid on Manly's first try. Playing at five-eighth because of the injury to Foran, Mateo attracted two defenders before an around-the-corner offload to Jamie Buhrer who combined with Steve Matai to open the scoring 10 minutes into the game.