Manly Sea Eagles smash listless St George Illawarra Dragons

MANLY 36 ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 6

Manly have overcome their horrendous home form to inflict one of the biggest defeats on the Dragons this season, thumping the joint venture side by 30 points. 

Brookvale doesn't seem like much of a fortress these days and perhaps that's what brought out so much complacency in the travelling Dragons. Lacklustre, erroneous and directionless, the Dragons embodied a team that expected to win. 

Don't argue: Jorge Taufua fends off the Dragons defence. Photo: Mark Metcalfe

Manly had won just once at home before tonight but such rustiness on the Northern Beaches wasn't to be repeated by a team itching to make a statement and a long, hopeful shot of redemption with a 36-6 win. An abundance of early possession in good territory gave them plenty of chances. None was better than the one that fell to Jorge Taufua who appeared off his former pace as he was tackled into touch from a certain scoring position.

 It was Manly's fifth attempt that finally proved fruitful. Nathan Green popped up for his first try of the season, latching onto an Api Koroisau grubber.

Dylan Walker was shining in the centres and showed why he was such a prized recruit by pouncing on a defensive lapse to score Manly's second to make it 12-0. There was barely an overlap when the former Rabbitohs star squeezed his way through the line with a burst of pace that left his marker in his wake. 

Fired up: Nathan Green celebrates scoring a try with teammates during the round 17 NRL match between the Manly Sea Eagles and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Brookvale Oval. Photo: Mark Metcalfe

The Dragons were shocked but none more dazed than Gareth Widdop who was left seeing stars after copping a powerful hit from Brayden Wiliame, coughing up for the ball. In the resulting set, Manly made the Dragons captain pay when Tom Trbojevic combined with Taufua for a superb try in the corner. 

Benji Marshall's form had been under question and the veteran did his cause no favours with a stray pass that was intercepted by Walker, who raced 90 metres to score his second, setting up a commanding 22-0 lead by half-time. 

The competition's worst attacking side was always going to find it tough to come back, even against a team as erratic as Manly but the Dragons were in a particularly forgiving mood. Handling errors and unnecessary penalties dashed such hopes and two in succession led to Manly's fifth four-pointer. The nail in the coffin came from Taufua who pounced on a loose kick to score with ease. 

Touchdown: Nathan Green pounces. Photo: Mark Metcalfe

The biggest insult was saved until late when Jamie Buhrer ran straight through Dragons prop Russell Packer. The second-rower was first receiver from the scrum and was shocked to continue for another 80 metres all the way to the try-line.  Not even a try for Origin-bound Josh Dugan could mask the pain of this defeat, something compounded by Joel Thompson being put on report for a high shot on Luke Burgess.