Manly surged back to the top of the NRL ladder with a convincing 28-12 win over a depleted Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium.

The Sea Eagles ran in five tries to three against the Knights who were brave without their Origin stars Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley and Ben Cross.

Manly led 10-8 at halftime and took control in the second half with tries to Anthony Watmough, Jamie Lyon and Steve Bell.

Eagles prop Brent Kite was put on report by referee Shayne Hayne for a high tackle on Newcastle halfback Jarrod Mullen in the 25th minute.

Manly winger Dave Williams scored the first try off a well placed Lyon cross kick for a 6-0 lead before Newcastle went ahead 8-6 after tries to wingers Cooper Vuna and James McManus.

Veteran Manly forward Steve Menzies joined Brad Fittler on 336 NRL games, second on the all-time list to Canterbury's Terry Lamb.

Menzies showed his class delivering the final pass for Steve Matai's try nine minutes before halftime.

McManus capped a strong game for the Knights with his second try a minute before fulltime.

Manly surged back to the top of the NRL ladder with a convincing 28-12 win over a depleted Newcastle at Bluetongue Stadium.

The Sea Eagles ran in five tries to three against the Knights who were brave without their Origin stars Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley and Ben Cross.

Manly led 10-8 at halftime and took control in the second half with tries to Anthony Watmough, Jamie Lyon and Steve Bell.

Knights coach Brian Smith refused to use the absence of his Origin trio as an excuse.

"I think we got beaten by a team that gave us a bit of lesson," said Smith.

"Experienced players know how to play simple, make things look easy.

"They do them repeatedly over and over again, and they do them well.

"They're prepared to stick at that and they did it better than us."

Giant Manly prop Brent Kite, who was in trouble for a high shot against the Warriors last week, again found himself on report for a high tackle on Knights halfback Jarrod Mullen in the 25th minute but there didn't appear to be too much in the tackle.

Veteran Manly forward Steve Menzies, who joined Brad Fittler on 336 games - second only to Canterbury's Terry Lamb - came into the game earlier than expected after Luke Williamson suffered a suspected fractured cheek in a head clash after just 15 minutes.

He delivered the final pass for Steve Matai's try just before half time which gave Manly a 10-8 lead after Newcastle had grabbed the lead 8-6 courtesy of tries to wingers Cooper Vuna and James McManus.

Menzies finished the game with 23 tackles, six hit ups and 111 metres gained in a fine display.

For Newcastle McManus capped a strong game scoring his second try just before full time while hooker Matt Hilder came up with 42 tackles, 27 in the first half, as Newcastle's attack was blunted by their heavy defensive workload.

The win lifted Manly to 24 points, equal with the Roosters, but in first place on percentages.

Manly coach Des Hasler said he'd been nervous about the game all week.

"I'm just glad we've played them twice now and they're out of the road."

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