Manly has left Melbourne with a massive challenge to snatch the minor premiership after defeating Penrith 34-16 at CUA Stadium.
The patchy victory moves the Sea Eagles to the top of the table and, just as importantly, puts more distance between them and the Storm on for and against.
The premiers must beat South Sydney by more than 26 points at Olympic Park in the final regular season game of the year on Sunday night if they are to overhaul Manly and claim pole position for the third straight year.
The Sea Eagles started slowly against the Panthers, who were farewelling club favourites Luke Priddis, Rhys Wesser, Luke Rooney and Tony Puletua amid speculation coach Matt Elliott is facing the sack.
It was Puletua who made his presence felt after just eight minutes, pulling out of Glenn Stewart's tackle and pushing off Steve Menzies to score beside the posts.
But as often been the case for Penrith in recent weeks, scoring first resulted in a drop in intensity and Manly took full advantage.
Menzies sliced through a massive hole to slide over for his 177th career try before Steve Bell hit a gap on halfway to send David Williams in four minutes later.
Suddenly it was 12-6 Manly's way and when Penrith lock Nathan Smith floated a 'Harbour Bridge' pass for Williams to pluck out of the air and run 60m, the Sea Eagles were headed for an 18-6 advantage.
Replacement hooker Paul Aiton gave the Panthers hope when he skipped out of dummy half and stayed low to dive over for a soft try five minutes before the interval.
Michael Gordon converted to leave the hosts trailing 18-12.
The Panthers put a further scare through the Manly camp with a try to Smith three minutes after the resumption.
But the Sea Eagles responded with tries to the Stewart brothers – Glenn and Brett – and Bell to put a gallant Penrith away.
Des Hasler's men now must wait 24 hours to see if they clinch the club's first minor premiership since 1997.
Penrith 16
Tries: Puletua, Aiton, Smith
Goals: Gordon 2
Manly 34
Tries: Williams 2, Menzies, G Stewart, B Stewart, Bell
Goals: Orford 5
Sportal Player of the Year
3 – Glenn Stewart (Sea Eagles)
2 – Brent Kite (Sea Eagles)
1 – Tony Puletua (Panthers)