Orford claimed it was wrong to rob high-profile clashes such as yesterday's meeting at WIN Stadium of the best players.

Both sides had four players forced to watch on from the sidelines due to Origin commitments ahead of Wednesday night's series dead-rubber in Brisbane.

The Sea Eagles felt the absences the most as the Dragons ran in eight tries to three to stay top of the ladder. Wingers Wendell Sailor and Brett Morris had a day to remember with two tries apiece in front of 16,792 fans in Wollongong.

''I think State of Origin should be looked at stand alone for sure it's the pinnacle of our game isn't it?'' Orford said.

''Whether that's the system or something else they can come up with, I think it deserves the spotlight.

''And [then] you have your full team there in the [NRL] comp and you have a great afternoon and a great spectacle with every single player in the team.''

It's hard to believe the Dragons fans who filled a sun-drenched WIN Stadium would have had much complaint about the spectacle after watching their side pile on three tries in the last 13 minutes to blow Manly away after the visitors had closed to within two converted tries.

Manly coach Des Hasler remained upbeat although disappointed about dropping out of the eight, behind Penrith on for-and-against.

''Obviously they're deserved competition leaders, but both sides with so many players out, I'm sure it will be a different contest next time,'' he said.

The Dragons shot out of the gates with two early tries but it was only when Jamie Soward ran it on the last to set up Sailor's first of the afternoon that the home side's ascendancy transferred to the scoreboard in the form of a 24-12 half-time lead.

The Sea Eagles threatened a comeback with Michael Robertson scoring to cut it to 30-18 late, but when Soward crossed for four of his 20 points to start the avalanche there was no stopping the Dragons.