A bloodied Shaun Berrigan grabbed his first career hat-trick of tries as Brisbane smashed competition leaders Manly 38-12 at Suncorp Stadium.

The Broncos grounded the high flying Sea Eagles who until this game had won five of their six games and conceded an average of just 19 points a game.

They couldn't control a rampant Bronco machine which piled on eight tries in a flashy display set up by a sizzling 30 point first half.

The victory makes Broncos leader Wayne Bennett the first coach in rugby league to win 300 games.

The score would have been more embarrassing for the visitors except Darren Lockyer landed just three from eight kicks, although some were from acute angles.

Prop Shane Webcke was a man possessed, belting the ball into Manly's defence along with fellow front-rower Petero Civoniceva.

It allowed giant forward Brad Thorn to come into the attack and further soften up Manly's pack before the ball found its way out the Broncos backs.

Berrigan, forced to leave the field to have a scalp wound bandaged in the opening minutes, returned to score in the 17th and 27th minute as Manly's defence buckled and then cracked under Brisbane's sustained attack.

He made it a hat-trick and 10 tries for the season soon after half time, crashing over to continue the onslaught.

Manly were forced to make 168 tackles to Brisbane's 87 and also missed 18 tackles which against Brisbane condemned them to a tough night.

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