The Bulldogs have recorded the first major upset of the 2009 season posting an emphatic 34-12 victory over the defending premiers on a night that saw Hazem El Masri eclipse Andrew Johns as the premiership's all-time leading points scorer.
A first-half double to rising star Jamal Idris helped the hosts to a healthy 22-0 lead at the break but it was El Masri who stole the show passing Johns' mark of 2176 points with a penalty goal from point-blank range in the 34th minute.
The 32-year-old sharp-shooter, who entered the clash needing seven points to surpass the legendary Knights half-back , put on a flawless display in front of 19,791 fans kicking a perfect seven-from-seven with the boot in wild conditions.
In their first match under Kevin Moore's command, the Bulldogs compounded Manly's woes after a tumultuous week that saw Brett Stewart sidelined for four games by the NRL, scoring five tries to two in a dominant display.
Having been totally outplayed in the first half the Sea Eagles were first to strike after the break but consecutive tries in the space of three minutes put the contest beyond doubt with half and hour remaining.
The win sees last season's wooden-spooners claim the inaugural Bullfrog Arko Cup in honour of legendary Bulldogs administrator Peter Moore and Manly stalwart Ken Arthurson.
A late challenge on Brett Kimmorley by Jason King put the hosts on the attack and they made the most of it when Idris crashed over on seven minutes.
El Masri made no mistake with the conversion to make it 6-0.
The Bulldogs' next points also came from a Manly misdemeanour when El Masri slotted a penalty goal from close range on 15 minutes in heavy rain.
The home side continued to dominate proceedings despite the atrocious conditions and when Idris crossed for his second try of the night the Bulldogs took a strangle hold on the contest with 13 minutes remaining in the opening stanza.
El Masri's sideline conversion made it 14-0 and drew him level with Johns.
As an overhead electrical storm continued to pepper the ground, emotions boiled over in the 33rd minute when Ben Roberts took exception to a stray knee from Matt Ballin in the play-the-ball sparking an all-in-brawl and earning the Manly rake 10 minutes in the bin.
El Masri took the gift two points from 11 metres out from almost directly in front to etch his name in history as the game's most prolific scorer.
The Bulldogs made the most of the extra man when Goodwin scored the first of his two tries in the shadows of half-time for a 22-0 lead.
Manly struck first blood at the resumption when Ballin slipped through some flimsy defence from dummy half for a converted try in the 44th minute.
The visitors continued to attack and looked set to add to their account before new-recruit Josh Morris scored against the run of play to restore the Bulldogs' 22-point buffer.
The onslaught continued when Luke Patten slashed through the defence to put his men deep in attack before Goodwin completed a slick backline movement to score his second.
El Masri continued his perfect display with another sideline conversion for a 34-6 lead.
Manly's Jamie Lyon had the final say scoring an intercept try in the 79th minute but it was too little too late for the premiers.
Canterbury Bulldogs34
Tries:Idris 2, Goodwin 2, Morris,
Conversions: El Masri 5
Penalties: El Masri 2
Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 12
Tries: Ballin, Lyon
Conversions: Orford 2,
@ ANZ Stadium, 14/03/09. Crowd: 19,971.