Manly coach Peter Sharp became an instant convert when Sea Eagles five eighth Ben Walker scored the first "golden points" in the NRL regular season.

Walker nailed a penalty goal in the eighth minute of sudden-death extra time to give his team a 36-34 win over hapless Parramatta in what proved a landmark match before 10,387 fans at Brookvale Oval.

It was the first time a match had gone to extra time outside of finals in premiership history, following the controversial introduction of the golden point rule this season.

And Walker made himself a Brookvale hero, having also scored the late try which saw the scores locked at 34-all after regulation time with six tries apiece.

Sharp was sceptical of the new rule when asked about it after his team's narrow 20-14 win over Melbourne in round six.

Then he reflected Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett's concerns about the possible effect on exhausted players of going the maximum 10 extra minutes.

But a beaming Sharp changed his tune on Sunday.

"I'm a massive fan now," Sharp said. "I thought the atmosphere was terrific in that last 10 minutes when the spectators were on their feet and it was very very exciting.

"Have a look at the players. I think they're alright physically and that's what's important for me."

Walker chipped in: "If you're a spectator today, that's what you come for.

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