St George Illawarra and Penrith have moved clear of the National Rugby League pack after the Dragons thrashed Wests Tigers and the Panthers did the same to Manly.
Centre Michael Jennings scored a hat-trick and had a hand in two more Penrith tries to scream out his credentials to New South Wales selectors ahead of next week's final State of Origin, as his side thrashed Manly 40-22 at CUA Stadium.
The St George Illawarra juggernaut rolled on in Sydney, but it wasn't all good news for the NRL leaders with prop Michael Weyman almost certain to be rubbed out of Origin III thanks to a dangerous tackle in his side's 34-10 win over the Tigers.
The Dragons are top with 26 points, two ahead of the Panthers with only the Gold Coast Titans able to move within two points if they win this weekend and overtake the Tigers in third. Manly stay fourth.
