Anthony Seibold may be gone, but Manly showed they’re still capable of a long-distance try after Reuben Garrick stunned with a four-pointer from the kick-off in his side’s 28-18 victory against the Dragons at WIN Stadium.

An early shift deep in opposition territory was a hallmark of Seibold’s rein and it’s clearly stayed after Garrick ran 85 metres to score.

Following a try to Tom Trbojevic, the Dragons kicked off to Jason Saab who ran the ball before passing to Garrick. Dragons winger Christian Tuipulotu had shifted inside halfback Kyle Flanagan and Garrick was unmarked.

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The Manly centre manoeuvred around a poor effort from Valentine Holmes and didn’t look like being chased down as he made the lead 16-0 inside 17 minutes.

“A hammer blow applied to the Dragons … the fire is doused,” Fox League caller Andrew Voss said.

Reuben Garrick celebrates his try. NRL Imagery

Tuipulotu had earlier gone down injured and was given medical attention for five minutes before playing on. In the aftermath of the try he left the field with what looked to be a knee injury.

The try made for an awful start from the under pressure Dragons. Garrick scored first in the seventh minute when Saab jumped over Tuipulotu from a Jamal Fogarty kick and passed back to the centre who juggled the ball and fell over the line.

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Trbojevic scored the second when Manly attacked close to the line on the second tackle. The fullback threw a dummy on the right and ran past Kyle Flanagan to score.

Injury blows continued for the Dragons when Moses Suli had to leave the field for an HIA following a stray boot to the face with 11 minutes to go.

Jake Trbojevic also had to be taken off at the same time for an HIA with an obvious cut under his right eye.

Jake Trbojevic had to leave with this blow to his eye. Fox League

Trbojevic’s departure led to a Dragons fightback with Luciano Leilua scoring off a quick tap only metres from the line.

“Manly embarrassed by the restart,” Voss said.

Jacob Liddle then crossed with five minutes left to make it a 16-12 scoreline.

Right on half-time it looked like Shane Flanagan’s men would level it up but Setu Tu dropped his chance over the line.

Tu briefly put the Red V ahead early in the second half, getting his side “off the death bed” as quipped by Voss on commentary – but Manly powered over the top of them in the final stages after tries for Kobe Hetherington and Lehi Hopoate.