When all else fails, get desperate.

That was the attitude from the Bulldogs as they fought for their NRL lives to overcome a week of turmoil to conquer Manly 27-8 at 'Fortress Brookvale'.

Wallowing just two points above last-placed St George Illawarra, the Bulldogs knew they were fast running out of chances to stay in the race for the finals and taking on a side that had won its last ten matches at home.

But as they always seem to do, the 'Dogs responded to adversity which included a week dominated by off-field indiscretions and a shock 6-0 deficit after just three minutes.

The visitors built up a 20-8 lead by the break then held on as the Sea Eagles stormed home, though Manly coach Des Hasler was less than enamoured with some of their tactics.

"Have a look at our position on the table and we're playing the competition leaders on their own dung hill," Bulldogs coach Steve Folkes said.

"If you're a sportsman and you've got any character at all then obviously those sort of situations only present themselves every so often.

"We needed the points desperately."

Hasler was irate that his side's second half comeback attempts were stymied by a Bulldogs defence which tested the patience of the referee as he dished out three straight penalties for ruck infringements.

"It's a well known trait with the Bulldogs, slowing down the play by deliberately giving away penalties," Hasler said.

"The rules are there, it's quite obvious to see the tactic that was being used ... use the sin bin they stop doing it.

"In my opinion, I think Tony (Archer) had a poor game but I can't blame the referee for us losing."

An early penalty against Mark O'Meley allowed Anthony Watmough the opportunity to scythe through before the Bulldogs capitalised on some poor ball control by the Sea Eagles.

Willie Mason was held up over the line but Corey Hughes punctuated a brilliant display as he darted over from dummy half with a soft try on the next play.

The home side went up by two points courtesy of a Jamie Lyon penalty when O'Meley was put on report for a high tackle, but Lyon turned villain moments later when he coughed up the ball.

Willie Tonga went over on the ensuing set when the Manly defence rushed up and he had his second when another turnover - this time from Watmough - saw Daryl Millard do brilliantly to pass for his centre partner to score.

On the back of an increasingly anxious home crowd, the Sea Eagles lifted after half-time.

Steve Bell was twice stopped just short of the line as was Adam Cuthbertson before Steve Menzies blew their best chance when he missed unmarked winger Michael Robertson with a pass that floated over the sideline.

"When that pass went over the sidelines it was a momentum killer," Hasler said

"If we would have got that try I think it would have been a different ball game."

Tempers flared as Matt Orford retaliated to a late tackle from Kane Cleal by throwing a punch at the Bulldogs forward.

Eventually the home side was put out of its misery when Nick Kouparitsas scored ten minutes from time, the rangy back-rower backing up following a nice interchange of passes between Tonga, Sonny Bill Williams and Andrew Ryan.

Manly's Jason King will have scans after damaging ankle ligaments while Orford hopes to be right for next week's game after straining the medial ligament in his left knee.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP