The Dragons and Sea Eagles played out a hard-fought 36-all draw at Cromer on Sunday afternoon.
A collection of Shane Millard's regulars were unavailable for the clash having been called up to Knock-On Effect NSW Cup level to cover the club's lengthy list of injuries.
Cooper Hale and Zachariah Nachar both came into the side for their Jersey Flegg debuts having impressed at SG Ball level for the Dragons earlier this year.
Match: Sea Eagles v Dragons
Round 18 -
home Team
Sea Eagles
12th Position
away Team
Dragons
9th Position
Venue: Sydney Academy of Sport and Recreation, Sydney
Five-eighth Shadi Hammoud got the Red V on the board in the opening set of the game to make it a perfect start for the visiting side.
The next little period belonged to Manly however with Callum Dowell coming up with a response for the Sea Eagles just moments later off a nice aerial assault.
Benjamin Keene-O'Keefe backed up his halfback's efforts soon after off a right-side sweep play to make it 12-6 the way of the hosts.
Hammoud continued his sizzling start shortly after dummying and jinking his way to stripe for his second of the first half to tie things up.
A determined Kye Wright effort in which the centre shrugged away from a number of defenders to put the Dragons back ahead half-way through the opening period.
The Red V surged further ahead their next set with Hammoud slicing into the backfield and handing it off to fullback Wes Pring to score.
Blake Metcalfe snagged a needed hit-back for the hosts a half-hour in before Ezekiel Paulo crashed his way over on a short-side raid to tie things up headed into the break.
The first points of the second half belonged to the Dragons with debutant Hale storming through to pounce on a Pring chip after the fullback burst into space up the middle.
Wright sent Kyan Hjaltason over for the Dragons the very next set to again grow the lead out to double figures.
Kade Reed knocked over a gift penalty goal just shy of the hour-mark to make it a 12-point game entering the final quarter.
Jersey Flegg Cup Highlights: Round 18 v Sea Eagles
Charlie Boyle dummied his way over to bring Manly back within six before Jared Johnson was binned for the visitors to make for a tense final stretch.
Benjamin Taylor scored off a nice Dowell kick to bring Manly back within two with 10 minutes to play before the No.7 slotted the conversion from the sideline to make it 36-all.
Both teams had late chances to steal the win with Manly missing a late penalty which would have sealed the win.
