Manly fought their way back to third place on the NRL table but could still face a State of Origin snubbing with only fullback Brett Stewart a guaranteed selection.

The Sea Eagles claimed their third successive win with a brilliant come-from-behind 30-12 mauling of Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday to jump to 12 competition points, level with the Broncos and just two off pacesetters Gold Coast.

But Manly's growing form may be overlooked by NSW selectors this Tuesday with halfback Matt Orford unlikely to get a chance to prove himself in Origin.

Sea Eagle Jamie Lyon is up against Matt Cooper for a centre position and even Test prop Brent Kite is battling to retain his spot amid a push for Newcastle's Ben Cross and Melbourne's Brett White.

Adding to the Sea Eagles' frustrations, centre Steven Bell could be frozen out of the Queensland side thanks to the wealth of young stars on offer for the Maroons.

Coach Des Hasler was stunned that incumbent Kite could be overlooked for the first Origin on May 21 in Sydney.

"Brent has made the Australian side and he's acquitted himself really well," said Hasler.

"He can only do his best, put his hand up and win games, the rest is up to the selectors."

Parramatta posted their first back-to-back win of 2008 with a 19-18 victory over St George Illawarra at ANZ Stadium, jumping to 10th on the NRL table but level on points with seventh-placed Newcastle who face Melbourne on Monday.

Brett Finch did his NSW halfback chances no harm by landing a field goal in the 74th minute which ultimately proved the difference.

Eels coach Michael Hagan backed Finch for Origin, adding he could provide superb utility value for the Blues if Kurt Gidley is, as expected, named halfback on Tuesday.

"I think he could handle that, he could play dummy half or first receiver or lock if you needed him to," said Hagan.

Cronulla and the Sydney Roosters kept the pressure on the top four with wins on Saturday night, the Sharks upsetting North Queensland 24-18 in Townsville and the Roosters thumping Canberra 30-4 at the Sydney Football Stadium.

Penrith are one of five teams locked with Eels on 10 points after they belted the Bulldogs 30-4 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

The Dogs loss made worse by their horrific injury toll and news that centre Willie Tonga, who injured himself two weeks ago against Manly, is expected to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder reconstruction.

Forward Justin Tsoulos is also expected to miss the rest of the year with a shoulder injury, Hazem El Masri is again sidelined after re-injuring his hamstring and fullback Luke Patten is out indefinitely with a back complaint.

Dogs coach Steve Folkes is hopeful Kiwi Test stars Sonny Bill Williams (corked thigh) and Ben Roberts (hamstring) will be fit to face the Titans on the Gold Coast next Friday.

"We're going to get some relief in the not too distant future but not everybody will be back on deck soon," said Folkes.

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