Manly rookie Will Hopoate has emerged as the Sea Eagles' potential x-factor as perennial powerhouse Brisbane reminded everyone not to write off their chances of a 19th straight NRL finals appearance.

Languishing near the bottom of the ladder after winning just two of their first eight matches, the Broncos surged into the top eight on Sunday courtesy of a 22-6 win over Manly at Brookvale Oval - their fourth win on the trot.

Written off as finals contenders, Broncos skipper Darren Lockyer admitted the Broncos were gaining in belief thanks to key road wins.

"We got some confidence that we beat Melbourne in Melbourne and we had a good win against the Sharks last week so it's important to win here," Lockyer said.

But it was the Sea Eagles who may have given their NRL rivals something to fear as they unveiled exciting utility Hopoate - the son of controversial former Test winger John Hopoate.

The 18-year-old dazzled on debut, and looms as the new weapon up coach Des Hasler's sleeve as the Sea Eagles look to mount a serious tilt at the title after finishing the first half of the season in third spot on the ladder.

"I thought he was great, he certainly got involved and he certainly brought some good energy to the side," Hasler said.

"He's been training well and he was an option to use him this week and we kept it fairly quiet for reasons and I thought he grabbed his chance really well today and performed particularly strong."

Asked if Hopoate would maintain his spot in the side, Hasler said:

"It's always been an option there for us ... we'll just see who we've got back on deck."

But even the presence of Hopoate may not be enough for the Sea Eagles to catch St George Illawarra in the race for the minor premiership, with the Dragons heading into their first bye of the season with 20 competition points already on the board after a 24-22 win over the Warriors in Auckland.

The red and whites need just three more wins to confirm a finals appearance, but there's little doubt they have their sights set much higher.

"I'm elated. We've been 13 weeks straight without a break," Dragons coach Wayne Bennett said.

"We've played a lot of good football. Today wasn't our prettiest effort, but we're tired. We consistently win and that makes you feel good as a coach."

Canberra's hot and cold season continued with a heart-stopping 28-24 home win over Gold Coast on Sunday, the victory the first time the Raiders have jagged back-to-back wins this season.

The Raiders moved up to tenth with the win, and they are now one of five sides on 14 competition points in a logjammed ladder.

Just two points separate third-placed Manly and the Raiders, while the Warriors' (12 points) chances of mounting a challenge suffered another setback with experienced centre Brent Tate joining an already crowded injury list after suffering a broken jaw.

Cronulla's 42-18 win over the Sydney Roosters gave the Sharks faithful some hope of a late-season revival, but along with Newcastle - who are also on ten competition points - North Queensland and Canterbury (both eight points), they appear to have left their charge a little late.

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