The Dragons have defeated the Sea Eagles by 30 points in one of the more remarkable games of football this season.
The Dragons raced out of the blocks in the first half and established a 30 point lead by the break. The Sea Eagles were completely outmuscled and out enthused in the opening 40 minutes and needed a miracle to get back into the contest.
That miracle however nearly come to fruition in the second half, as Manly piled on early points to get back to within 8 of the Dragons at 30-22. Manly had threatened to produce one of the great comebacks of the year but their hopes were dashed when Vaughan crashed over in the 59th minute.
From there, Manly lost hope and the Dragons powered home scoring the last 4 tries of the match to storm to a 30 point victory that keeps them well inside the top eight.
Overall, this was a reality check for a Sea Eagles outfit that hasn’t performed well over the past fortnight and they will need to regroup quickly to recapture the form that still leaves them in a good position to challenge for a top four finish.
Final Score
Dragons – 52
Manly – 22
The race for top eight spots is heating up and the St George Illawarra Dragons will be keen to end a run of poor results when they host top four hopefuls the Manly Sea Eagles. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2pm (AEST).
The Dragons are coming off a tough golden point defeat to the Raiders last week and have now lost four of their past five matches.
As a result, the Dragons find themselves in eighth position and need to beat Manly today to keep the chasing pack at bay.
The Sea Eagles meanwhile, are in better form, but the past fortnight has seen their level of play drop off somewhat, with a loss to the Penrith Panthers followed by an unconvincing win over the struggling Wests Tigers at home.
The Dragons at home should provide Manly with a stern test this afternoon and they will be strengthened by the return of NSW Origin forward Tyson Frizell.
Dugan is also likely to play after overcoming concussion suffered against the Raiders last week. The Dragons need Dugan at his best today if they are to secure two priceless competition points against a premiership contender this afternoon.
As for Manly, Daly Cherry-Evans once again remains the focal point of their attack. With 17 try assists this season, the former Queensland Origin representative is back to his best, and a dominant showing by Manly’s forwards today could see Evans take control against an out of form Dragons team.
The Dragons will obviously turn today’s contest into an arm wrestle. It was a tactic that worked a treat when they last met Manly at Brookvale earlier in the season when the red V secured a surprise 35-10 victory.
On that occasion, Paul Vaughan was superb and he will be expected to lead from the front again against a strong Manly pack.
Prediction
The Dragons are certainly a shot of getting back into the winner’s circle today given Manly’s unconvincing past fortnight. The Sea Eagles are still suspect to dropping their intensity at key moments during matches and the Dragons will to wrestle for 80 minutes in a game they need to win.
With this in mind, the Dragons should do enough to secure a tight win.
Dragons by 4.
Join The Roar for live coverage from 2pm (AEST).
The Spectator
Guest
Wisdom through a punch as well yet bunker only looked at what Lussick did then made there call,, the hole incident should be looked at when punches are thrown and frizzel drops elbows!
danwain
Guest
And take DCE out of the sea eagles and you have nothing. We were missing Dugan and Thompson today also, so we weren't at full strength but still put 52 points on you. We beat you by 30 today and 25 at lottoland, give it a rest, you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. The storm will flog you again next week. Never gave up? You guys definitely gave up today, absolutely rubbish performance. You are sprouting absolute rubbish, can't even use proper pronunciation.
The Spectator
Guest
13th man Lussick, gotta wonder?
Kenw
Guest
I think you'll find the Dragons were missing more talent today than the Sea Eagles. Interesting to see where Manly goes from here, that's twice this year they were starting to get some headlines before being run over by Saints. Took them a while to get back to looking OK after the first time, wonder if they can come back again before the finals.
souvalis
Guest
Gee..what particular comment upset you sweetheart ?
Fortress
Guest
Dainwin I said if were full strength another drip,look all u dragqueen supporters keep dreaming u may make the 8 but to win the title a big no ,the mighty eagles full strength are a threat to still make the top 4 OK we had an off game but we never gave up before today the drags were inept so read posts properly if u meet at the Olympic stadium in the finals both teams full strength both at their best the mighty eagles would win by 14 to 18 points more options better all-round team ,take widdop out of the saints they win no games. Good luck revenge will be sweet
danwain
Guest
But you have lost to the dragons twice this year, so based on that you lose to them 10 times out of 10
Fortress
Guest
The mighty eagles will be back never fear !!!!!!if we were full strength the drag Queen's never win hope we meet them in the finals revenge will be sweet a full strength manly will win 9 times out of 10!!!!!!!
Fortress
Guest
Souvalis u are a gronk a fair dinkum drip u are a hater u don't have a clue about the footy bet u just stick back every weekend waiting for us to fall,well guess what lowlife we won't will be back and if u go onto glory when the team gets back to full strength what are u going to do I tell u what ur going to do crawl back into rat infested hole and never to come out again go away u smell pewwwwwwww
Joe
Roar Rookie
Great win by the Dragons and their points difference got a healthy boost. If Barret rested players in particular Green that was a massive miscalculation. Manly did way better with 12 men. Widdop was outstanding for the Dragons. He is back to his best.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Dugan back to center as Aitken might be out injured. Dufty was a big point of difference.
Kenw
Guest
This comp moves fast doesn't it. So much still to come before the finals comes around
Roberto
Guest
Points differential bonus for the Dragons and wrong side of the ledger for Manly. Dragons best Knights next week and they could leap frog Sea Eagles to 6th. Manly face the Storm in Melbourne and defeat could mean the top 4 window is firmly out of reach...premiership dark horse to barely surviving for top 8 now.
Kenw
Guest
Not for a second questioning whether Dugan fits straight back in (of course he does) but geez Dufty equaled all the raps that he's had from the last couple of years in U20s. He's got to wear the No. 1 for Saints next year.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Dragons have defeated the Sea Eagles by 30 points in one of the more remarkable games of football this season. The Dragons raced out of the blocks in the first half and established a 30 point lead by the break. The Sea Eagles were completely outmuscled and out enthused in the opening 40 minutes and needed a miracle to get back into the contest. That miracle however nearly come to fruition in the second half, as Manly piled on early points to get back to within 8 of the Dragons at 30-22. Manly had threatened to produce one of the great comebacks of the year but their hopes were dashed when Vaughan crashed over in the 59th minute. From there, Manly lost hope and the Dragons powered home scoring the last 4 tries of the match to storm to a 30 point victory that keeps them well inside the top eight. Overall, this was a reality check for a Sea Eagles outfit that hasn't performed well over the past fortnight and they will need to regroup quickly to recapture the form that still leaves them in a good position to challenge for a top four finish. Dragons 52 Manly 22
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME Dragons 52 Manly 22
Alan
Roar Guru
Dufty is over for the Dragons and its party time for the Red V. After the Sea Eagles threatened to come back from an impossible deficit, the Dragons have powered home, scoring the last four tries of the match. An afternoon to remember for Dragons fans. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Dragons 52 Manly 22
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY DRAGONS Dragons 50 Manly 22
Alan
Roar Guru
Vaughan, De Belin and Frizell very strong for the Dragons upfront today. They have all laid a terrific platform yet again for Widdop and company. Dragons 46 Manly 22
Alan
Roar Guru
73' - The Dragons most importantly solidify their place inside the top eight courtesy of this win. Manly's top four hopes take a hit. The Dragons have done well to keep Manly at bay given that the score at one stage was 30-22, after the Dragons had led 30-0 Dragons 46 Manly 22