MANLY defeated a gallant St George Illawarra 21-12 at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah, last night, keeping the Dragons two points outside the top eight with seven matches remaining before the finals.
The loss leaves the Dragons on 20 premiership points, eleventh but still a chance to make the finals.
The Dragons led 2-0 through a Gareth Widdop penalty kick but soon after two quick tries to Manly centre Steve Matai and five-eighth Keiran Foran and a Jamie Lyon conversion put the Sea Eagles ahead 10-2.
Just before halftime, Dragons halfback Benji Marshall strolled over for a try which was converted by Widdop, making the score 10-8 at halftime in Manly’s favour.
Both teams were playing in the Rise For Alex Round for injured Newcastle player Alex McKinnon who broke his neck playing against Melbourne earlier this year.
McKinnon also spent four years at the Dragons in 2008-11 before joining the Newcastle Knights in 2012.
A banner by a couple of Dragons supporters said it all at Jubilee Oval: ‘‘Courage of a Knight, heart of a Dragon’’ in reference to McKinnon.
Two second half tries to Tom Symonds and Jorge Taufua in a short space of time gave Manly a 20-8 lead after 60 minutes.
A dropped ball by comeback winger, Brett Morris, who returned after being out eight games with a dislocated shoulder, and a dropped ball from a high kick by Dragons fullback Adam Quinlan, swung the game in Manly’s favour in the second half.
Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans kicked a field goal to make it 21-8.
Dragons winger, Jason Nightingale scored in the corner to make it 21-12.
Manly 21 (Keiran Foran, Steve Matai tries; Tom Symonds, Jorge Taufua tries, Jamie Lyon 2 goals, Daly Cherry-Evans a field goal).
St George Illawarra 12 (Benji Marshall try, Jason Nightingale try; Gareth Widdop 2 goals).
Jubilee Oval crowd: 10,530.