Manly have claimed a dramatic 19-12 victory over the Bulldogs in a spiteful NRL clash at Brookvale Oval on Monday night.

After 80 entertaining minutes involving seven NSW State of Origin III players, the reigning premiers claimed the win over the form team of 2009 with a first half Matt Orford field goal and late try to resurgent prop Josh Perry the difference.

The Sea Eagles led 7-6 at half-time thanks to Orford's nous, but then had to fight back in the second term after the Bulldogs took the lead through a Hazem El Masri penalty and a second try to in-form centre Josh Morris in the 51st minute.

The Sea Eagles finally hit the lead when Orford's sideline conversion narrowly cleared the crossbar after David Williams scored in the corner in the 68th minute.

Manly finally iced the result with a 25m try to Perry in the 79th minute, an ideal celebration for the prop who was selected in the NSW State of Origin III side at half-time.

It was a deserved result for the Sea Eagles in front of 15,501 fans, lifting them to sixth place on the NRL but equal on competition points with fifth placed North Queensland.

The Bulldogs remain in second place on the NRL table, one win below St George Illawarra.

There were several clashes during the game, the ugliest a spear tackle by Bulldogs winger Bryson Goodwin on Manly fullback Michael Robertson after he had thrown the pass for Williams' 68th minute try.

Goodwin was put on report and lucky not to be sent off, with referee Jared Maxwell later telling Robertson, "it's a cheap shot, we know it."

Bulldogs hooker Michael Ennis may also face an anxious wait after he was penalised for an ugly late hit on Orford.

Ennis was one of the seven players named in the NSW side at half-time on Wednesday night, but put his Origin debut in jeopardy just 17 minutes after the break by appearing to raise an elbow after Orford made a clearing kick.

If Ennis receives any suspension from the NRL match review committee he will be ruled out of Origin III at Suncorp Stadium next Wednesday.

Ennis had a brief push and shove with future NSW teammate Glenn Stewart, while Anthony Watmough and Brett Kimmorley also clashed a day before they'll unite as Blues brothers.

Manly coach Des Hasler said the victory was one of the most important of the Sea Eagles' season and was proud of the way his men came from behind to clinch the vital two competition points.

"At this stage for where we are two competition points is really important to us," said Hasler.

"Tonight's two points was one of those games we had to win."

Tryscoring hero Perry was ecstatic with his night, scoring a superb solo try and then being told he had earned an Origin recall for the first time since 2003.

"It doesn't get much better," said Perry.

"Winning games like that and scoring try as a front rower which I haven't done in a long time. It's been a good night."

Bulldogs coach Kevin Moore couldn't fault the effort of his side, but wasn't happy with their execution in the final 10 minutes as they squandered attacking chances and neglected to take a field goal shot when trailing by just one point.

"We showed a lot of spirit and character but our execution at times was off," said Moore.

"We did a lot of defending ... in the end that fatigue probably told."

Moore was also bemused a high tackle in the first half by Manly centre Steve Matai on second-rower Gary Warburton, which left the Bulldogs forward with a suspected broken jaw and dislodged teeth, wasn't even penalised.

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