Dragons monster Manly at Lottoland

v BYE

St George Illawarra sit at the top of the NRL for now after a 25-point flogging of the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Brookvale's Lottoland this afternoon, the Dragons 35-10 winners in front of over 11,500 fans.

It all started controversially on the Northern Beaches, with the Sea Eagles conceding a third minute try after captain Daly Cherry-Evans was controversially unable to get to dummy half, which left the ball open for Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop to score the opener. The Bunker was unable to overrule the contact made by Jason Nightingale on the Manly half, as it had taken place momentarily before the play-the-ball prior - the error in not penalising the Dragons falling into referee Gavin Badger's remit.

The damage done, the Dragons looked to get on with the job while Manly were left to stew an early opposition four-pointer. The visitors rolled over for two more tries - both to Euan Aitken - and the Red V held a commanding 16-0 lead after just 17 minutes.

The Dragons continued their domination throughout much of the remainder of the first half before the Sea Eagles worked their way gently into the contest just before the break - Jorge Taufua burrowed his way over the line in the corner, a converted try narrowing the gap to just six points prior to halftime.

Manly continued to throw everything at their opposition early in the second half but incredibly the Dragons were first to score, Jack de Belin hitting a hole close to the line and barreling over to ensure the Saints started things on the front foot going into last half hour. After 52 minutes they were able to extend that through a penalty goal to Widdop and suddenly an 18-point gap looked too much to overcome for the home side.

The result was sealed in earnest with 17 minutes remaining when Kurt Mann crossed off a silky backline movement before the Taufua doubled his try tally for the hosts with ten remaining.

Proceedings wound down slowly for the remainder of the contest but it wasn't without further points - Gareth Widdop adding seven to his tally inside the final two minutes with a field goal backed up by a sneaky converted try.

Both sides have injury concerns to address - the Sea Eagles lost Aku Uate prior to kickoff with a hamstring issue he'll want to overcome before his side hosts Melbourne next Saturday back at Lottoland, while the Dragons will be sweating on Tyson Frizell's fitness before their home game against North Queensland the same night in Wollongong.