The St George Illawarra Dragons solidified their place inside the top four with another commanding victory over the Manly Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium.
» Click here to read the full match report
Final score
St George Illawarra Dragons 32
Manly Sea Eagles 8
Amid off-field turmoil, the Manly Sea Eagles need to cause an upset tonight against the St George Illawarra Dragons if they hope to keep their faint finals hopes alive. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 5:30pm AEST.
The Sea Eagles, along with the Cowboys and Eels, have been the biggest disappointments so far this NRL season.
All three sides made the finals last year yet all three now find themselves at the bottom of the ladder.
After a somewhat promising start to the season, the defeats have since piled up for a Manly team that continues to be plagued by off field distractions.
Just this week, former Sea Eagles player Anthony Watmough heavily criticised Daly Cherry-Evans and it will be interesting to see how the half responds on the field in a game that Manly needs to desperately win.
In order to just scrap into the finals, Manly can only afford perhaps one more defeat. They need to go on a winning run starting tonight against a Dragons side that sits firmly inside the top four.
The Dragons were not that convincing themselves last week against the Bulldogs, scrapping to a two point victory at ANZ Stadium, but the Red V continue to find ways to win matches, and at the end of the day, that’s what matters.
Prediction
The Dragons will keep it simple as always, relying on their strong pack to punch holes up Manly’s middle tier.
The Sea Eagles have been outmuscled far too often this season and the Dragons are just the type of team that loves engaging in an arm wrestle.
If the Dragons win the battle upfront, halves Gareth Widdop and Ben Hunt should once again steer the home side to victory.
Dragons by 12
a
Guest
Manly will have to go undefeated like the Cowboys Bulldogs and Eels to make the finals
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
The Dragons solidify their place at the top ... there fixed it for you.
Dodgy Dragons
Roar Rookie
Good win for the dragons, without being convincing. Our ruck defence needs plenty of work but we are covering well which is always a good sign. Manly asked plenty of questions in the 2nd half and we kept them out although tommy t would of scored a couple himself if he didn’t pass to his outside men, he had them beat. They have a good player in Wright, the young bloke looks quite the footy player.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Dragons solidify their place inside the top four with another commanding victory over the Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium. St George Illawarra has made a habit of defeating Manly handsomely and tonight was no difference, securing another one-sided victory. Despite a competitive first half, Manly faded as the match wore on and the Dragons just overpowered Trent Barrett's men, despite strong efforts from Tom and Jake Trbojevic. The Dragons just did the simple things well with Hunt and Widdop dictating terms, making the most of another strong effort from the forward pack. Overall, Manly's season appears all but over unless they go on a massive winning run. The Dragons meanwhile go from strength to strength and a premiership is now a real possibility. FULLTIME Dragons 32 Manly 8
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Manly have slaughtered about 4 tries on the left hand side this half. The one sided score flatters the Dragons
Alan
Roar Guru
76' - Would Manly have been better off letting Cherry-Evans just go to the Titans? Minimal influence tonight yet again from the 2011 premiership winner. Dragons 32 Manly 8
Scott Pryde
Expert
Pretty happy with this second half. Best we have played in some weeks.
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION MISSED Dragons 32 Manly 8
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Time's the enemy for them alright. They think it's 1986 and they're wearing Wormald jumpers and are a proper footy team. Take them all down to the Vet and start again. I'm going to be a sore loser and pull another bottle of Riesling out of the fridge. Call it a night. Bloody Manly - they'll be the death of the more mature gentlemen up the Beaches, for sure. I'll put a $50 note up to bet there's at least 5 guys in ER at Manly and Mona Vale of my age bracket tonight with chest pains due to this team.
Alan
Roar Guru
MacDonald scores for the Dragons and that is the icing on the cake for the Dragons! Too good and too strong for Manly who succumb to another heavy defeat! Dragons 32 Manly 8
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY DRAGONS Dragons 32 Manly 8
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Manly continue to butcher chances down the left. Nothing coming off for the Sea Eagles. How does Trent Barrett turn this around? Dragons 28 Manly 8
Brian Jones
Guest
I’ve been reliably informed that they are older than him.
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Dragons with some errors here and Manly enjoying some good field position. Time a real enemy though for Manly. Dragons 28 Manly 8
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Manly yet again attack down the left and the Dragons up to the challenge as they force the winger into touch. Manly still with chances to score here. Dragons 28 Manly 8
Tom G
Guest
Don’t know why it’s taken Barrett so long to bring him in. He is a quality player and it’s not like we’re drowning in talent this year.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I didn't think that this Sea eagles outfit could humiliate themselves to any greater extent than they have already done so this year. I was wrong. This is appalling. Manly need a coach. Even a kid to take them on tackling practice for a start. Really. Worst playing side in 50 years.
Alan
Roar Guru
61' - Manly have had their chances but the Dragons just too strong defensively. Dragons once again continuing an ominous record against Manly of late. Dragons 28 Manly 8
Alan
Roar Guru
Another long night for Manly it seems. Tough times for Manly fans. Finals hopes practically over surely unless they go on a great winning run... Dragons 28 Manly 8
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Who will replace Latrell,Gillard and Klemmer for Origin II?