Dragons snap 16-year Brookvale hoodoo with Manly win

St George Illawarra have surged into the NRL top eight with a gutsy 20-18 win over the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval, snapping a 16-year hoodoo at the venue in dramatic fashion on Thursday night.

Tyrell Sloan bagged a double, Clint Gutherson controlled proceedings at the back, and the Dragons’ forward pack laid the platform early as Shane Flanagan’s side posted back-to-back wins for the first time this season — and just their second victory at 4 Pines Park since 2008.

It was a night that had it all: sin bins, HIAs, contentious calls, and a desperate Manly fightback that fell just short.

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The visitors dominated the opening half but went to the sheds with just an 8-0 lead after a series of missed opportunities. They looked to blow it open early in the second when Sloan scooped up a loose ball and sprinted 90 metres to make it 14-0.

But as has been the case with the Dragons this year, no lead felt safe. Manly roared back with tries to Tolutau Koula and Ben Trbojevic — the latter while Toafofoa Sipley was in the sin bin for a hip-drop tackle that forced Mat Feagai from the field.

Down to 12 and with momentum shifting, the Sea Eagles stunned the Red V with some of their best attacking footy of the night. However, a well-worked short-side move from Lachlan Ilias and Kyle Flanagan saw Jacob Liddle crash over, restoring the Dragons’ lead as the $2.30 underdogs with the top online bookmakers.

Jason Saab then soared high to pull in a pinpoint Daly Cherry-Evans kick and bring it back to 20-18, but Reuben Garrick’s sideline conversion attempt missed its mark. DCE had one final crack with a two-point field goal, but it drifted wide, sealing a famous Dragons win.

“Good to back it up after last week,” said Gutherson post-game. “That gives us a lot of belief.”

Manly’s night went from bad to worse with Jake Trbojevic ruled out early after a category one HIA, and Sipley facing a potential ban. Luke Brooks and Haumole Olakau’atu were also placed on report.

Despite a heroic 272-metre performance from Lehi Hopoate at fullback, the Sea Eagles slumped to their third straight defeat, while the Dragons’ momentum continues ahead of next week’s showdown with the Roosters as they are heading into the game as $2.10 outsiders with the NRL betting sites.

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