The Sea Eagles were only one try off the pace despite enjoying just 40% of possession including defending nine sets in a row on their tryline in the second half only to give away a fifth tackle penalty to gift Parramatta a 14-point lead.

But unforced errors stifled Manly of any chance to get themselves into the game at any stage.

"The effort was there but we didn't do ourselves any favours," Barrett said.

"You can't expect to win when you make the errors that we made and the possession flow was 60-40. And we had 10 unforced errors too so we made it too hard for ourselves. 

"But to get within three tries to two, that was a good effort. We never went away, and we won't, but we made it too hard for ourselves. You can take positives out of it though and you have to.

"It's Round 1 but I thought our goal line defence was the best it's been for a while and to defend nine sets in a row and the only points they came away with were a fifth tackle penalty that they got gifted, that's what hurts."

Manly were on the wrong end of the penalty count with just about every 50-50 call going against the home side.

Barrett lamented not getting the rub of the green but refused to use some tough calls as an excuse.

"All I want as a frustrated coach is consistency in the calls, consistency in the 10 metres," he said.

"The Bevan French seven tackle one just after half-time, that wasn't a seven tackle set. They add up and they added up today. Compounded by our errors, but to be a try away when they had so much footy was a credit to our defence but we were up against it."