St George Illawarra prop Jason Ryles has defended his on-field discipline after giving away two penalties at crucial times during Friday's NRL clash with Manly.

The Dragons gutsed out a 20-18 win over the Sea Eagles at Brookvale Oval with Ryles again among their best but the former Test front-rower has been plagued by suggestions his ill-discipline costs his side.

In round four it was Ryles who gave away the penalty which resulted in Cronulla kicking a goal in golden point extra time to win 18-16.

When a reporter suggested on Monday that Ryles had given away "four" penalties last Friday, the prop went on the defensive.

"I didn't give four away, I gave two away," he said.

"And if you look one of them, I was cleaning up on the inside and got Brett Stewart. It was the fifth tackle and if they'd got a quick play-the-ball then anything could have happened so I think that's pretty much warranted.

"And then another time I just ended up with the ball and it could have been anyone.

"So none of it's through ill-discipline or anything like that and I haven't been spoken to by Browny so there's no dramas with my discipline there."

And, just as he's mended his ways, Ryles said St George Illawarra, who recorded their first back-to-back wins for season 2008 on Friday, had too.

"I think (with our) old ways we wouldn't have won the game," he said.

"We wouldn't have hung in there and after those errors we would have let them score the tries through poor defence but we sort of hung in there and ... hopefully we can slowly start turning the corner.

"We're a perfect example of it doesn't matter where you are on the ladder, you can sort of beat any team on any given day."

Meanwhile, Ryles is hopeful he will be considered for the NSW State of Origin position made vacant by a broken thumb to Newcastle prop Ben Cross.

"I'm playing every week so I've got to be some sort of chance," he said.

"I've just got to make sure I'm playing well here and if we're going well here you give yourself every chance."

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