LAST week the league world was buzzing with rumours that Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop was being linked to Manly.
Widdop, the big signing from the Melbourne Storm at the start of last year, is under contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons until the end of the 2017 season.
The England international was in top form as the Dragons toppled Manly 12-4 on Saturday night at Wollongong.
His combination with halfback Benji Marshall is a work in progress, but in the past two weeks they have found a nice balance.
The Dragons made it two wins in succession and have silenced some of their knockers who are hard markers with the team's form.
A Dragons insider who preferred not to be named said Widdop was staying put.
"Gareth isn't going anywhere, he even laughed at the suggestion about him heading to Manly," the Dragons source said.
Jason Nightingale, the ever-reliable winger, scored the only try for his team in the hard-fought win.
And Trent Merrin, who started the game at lock after playing the first three matches off the bench, was in robust form with his power running.
He took it right up to the Manly pack.
Merrin also put paid to rumours he will make an early exit to Penrith, having signed with the Panthers for three years from 2016. He told Fairfax Media after the game he will play out the year with the Dragons.
"I don't know anything about that," he said. "I'm just happy doing my job here for the boys."
Merrin said it was good to start the game in the No.13 jersey.
"It was great to put that jersey on and be out there straight away," he said.
"Whatever role I've got to do I'll do it for the boys.
"But like I said, I'm here to win and whatever it takes, I'll do it."
The Dragons got through the game unscathed and head to Newcastle on Saturday night for a round five clash with competition leader Newcastle Knights.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm.
St George Illawarra Dragons 12 (Jason Nightingale one try, Gareth Widdop 4 goals) defeated Manly 4.
Crowd: 12,087.
Can the Dragons make it three successive wins and defeat the Knights on Saturday?
