Brisbane has bounced back to winning ways with a convincing 32-6 victory over St George Illawarra on Friday night.

The Broncos will hold on to the NRL top spot for at least another week after the six-tries-to-one win, which ends a two-game losing run.

The Dragons, with Benji Marshall unavailable due to a hamstring strain, threw up a surprise when coach Paul McGregor named forward Jack De Belin at half-back.

The gamble did not pay dividends however with the Dragons dominating territory in the first half but coming off the field 16-0 behind at the break.

The Broncos, who only had 11 tackles inside the Dragons' 20 in the first half, made the most of every trip through tries to Jordan Kahu, Lachlan Maranta and Anthony Milford.

The Dragons came closest when Kahu dithered over a kick in-goal but winger Justin Hunt somehow overshot the ball as he attempted to pounce on it.

A double to Broncos half-back Ben Hunt in the second half sealed the points as coach Wayne Bennett claimed just a second win in 14 matches against his former club.

A late consolation try by Justin Hunt at least limited the damage to the Dragons' percentage as they battle to stay in the top eight.

St George Illawarra also lost captain Ben Creagh after he failed a concussion test at half-time and had to sit out the rest of the match.

The Broncos have now moved two points clear on top of the ladder after North Queensland was beaten by South Sydney on Thursday night.

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett praised his players, saying they exhibit all the characteristics of a winning team, but bemoaned the NRL's changes to the shoulder charge law.

"The bottom line is they had the rules there, and they didn't enforce the rules. So they put some more rules in to make sure they did enforce it in the future," Bennett told Grandstand.

"Incompetency from the judiciary themselves - that's what has started it.

"They made a very poor decision a couple of weeks ago, and the game has taken a hit for it."


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