However, the defending premiers didn't make that statement early in the midweek game Matt Rae did.

The hitting of Manly's most valuable player from the grand final allowed runs in the first and third innings, and the visitors took a 3-0 lead at Laybutt Reserve.

Blacktown then showed their championship qualities by scoring two runs in both the fourth and sixth innings and wining 4-3.

Manly again took the lead with a run in the second inning on Sunday, but Blacktown then had cause to be grateful to Todd Grattan, as they have so many times.

The Workers came back with three runs in the third, and then Grattan scattered 11 hits in 7.2 innings, limiting Manly to two runs.

The Workers added another run in the seventh to win 4-2.

The nature of their come-from-behind wins certainly should gives Blacktown some psychological wood over Manly.

But then the closeness of the contests should say there remains little between last season's grand finalists.

Meanwhile, it was a mostly winning weekend for Workers.

The seconds won 9-6 and the thirds won 11-1, however the under 18s lost 5-1.

The Workers will host club-championships leaders, the Orioles, this weekend.