Just 125 days after steering Manly to a second premiership, Des Hasler kick-started his new campaign at Canterbury on Saturday night with a 28-18 win over St George Illawarra at WIN Stadium.

In stark contrast to his former club’s 32-point loss to Cronulla on Friday night, Hasler’s squad showed glimpses of their master orchestrator’s trademark style, running away with the game through gritty defence while capitalising on costly Dragons errors.

The match also provided the small army of fans their first snapshot of the Red V under incumbent coach Steve Price.

But with little in the way of NRL talent – only 146 first-grade caps between the 53 players involved – judgement of either team’s title hopes would be better reserved until a later date.

Bulldogs winger Ratu Tagive featured strongly, crossing twice in the first half to give the Bulldogs a handy 14-6 lead.

Of the Dragons’ four NRL campaigners, David Gower put his hand up for more first-grade appearances this season with some bustling runs.

Played at a ground with a heavily scaffold-braced western grandstand, the game also provided Bulldogs NSW Cup coach Barry Ward with some promising signs that his team can extend their run of three consecutive premierships.

The Bulldogs lost their way in the final stanza, but critical Dragons errors meant the visitors would not be outscored.

Dean McGlinchey delivered the nail in the coffin with his 74th-minute try for the Bulldogs, allowing Hasler some confidence heading into next Sunday’s trial against the Roosters.