Dogs win in Hasler's return to Manly

Des Hasler has enjoyed a triumphant return to Brookvale Oval after an in-form Canterbury-Bankstown held off his old club Manly 20-12 in a first-class encounter on Friday night.

The Bulldogs scored the only two tries in a frenetic first-half and led 14-0 after 45 minutes when Krisnan Inu nailed a penalty goal.

The hosts launched a spirited fightback with tries to co-captains Jamie Lyon and Jason King to make it a two-point game on the hour.

But man-of-the-moment Ben Barba had the final say when he scored his second solo try of the night three minutes from full-time to seal victory and extend the Bulldogs' winning streak to eight games.

The win was made all the more impressive given the Bulldogs lost Sam Kasiano to a suspected depressed cheekbone fracture in a brutal collision with King in the opening minutes, while Kris Keating left the field with a hamstring injury midway through the first half.

The result lifts Hasler's charges to the top of the NRL ladder, two points clear of Melbourne who play Parramatta on Saturday night, while the Sea Eagles could drop to eighth spot after back-to-back losses.

Hasler received a rough reception from the Manly fans as he took his seat in the visitors' coaching box.

Manly had the better of a frenetic opening on the field as well, highlighted by one of the hits of the season from King on man mountain Kasiano.

But the Bulldogs struck first on the scoreboard when Barba scored an intercept try in the ninth minute.

Sea Eagles full-back Dean Whare fielded a Barba kick 10m out from his own line but threw a no-look pass as he was being bundled into touch by two defenders.

Barba swooped and strolled over from close range for the opening try, with Inu converting for 6-0.

The Bulldogs full-back made another big play moments later when he forced David Williams into touch to earn an attacking scrum deep in Manly territory.

The visitors scored their second try off a clever set play on the next tackle.

Prop James Graham received the ball at five-eighth and fed Josh Reynolds who landed an audacious kick-pass on Sam Perrett's chest to send the former Rooster over for his first try in Bulldogs colours.

Inu slotted the extras from the sideline to make it 12-0 after 17 minutes.

Manly were dominant for much of the second quarter but their disjointed attack couldn't crack the committed Canterbury defence despite several cracks in their red zone.

The Sea Eagles looked certain to score two minutes in but a moment of brilliance from Krisnan Inu denied the hosts.

Daly Cherry-Evans kicked across field for an unmarked George Taufua but Inu tracked back and casually plucked the ball with his right arm.

Inu extended the visitors' lead with a penalty goal moments later before Jamie Lyon hit back for the home side in the 50th minute to give the Brookvale faithful hope.

Manly-Warringah 12
Tries: Lyon, King,
Goals: Lyon 2,

Canterbury-Bankstown 20
Tries: Barba 2, Perrett
Goals: Inu 4,