Dragons secure unexpected victory
The St George Illawarra Dragons achieved one of the season’s upsets, defeating the Cronulla Sharks 24-16 in a local derby. This result has significantly affected the Sharks‘ aspirations for a top-four finish in the league. The match saw a crucial sin bin decision from the Bunker, which contributed to the Dragons‘ victory.
The Dragons, who are currently at the bottom of the ladder, delivered a strong defensive performance, completing at 84 per cent. Setu Tu scored the sealing try, securing the win for his team. This marks only the third win for the Dragons this season, all of which have occurred since Round 13. They have now won two of their last three matches against Cronulla, with both victories taking place at Kogarah.
Cronulla had entered the match following a five-game winning streak. However, their loss to the Dragons ended this run. Despite the defeat, the Sharks remain fourth on the ladder, but are now only ahead of the Dolphins on points difference.
Sharks face injury concerns and top-four challenge
The Sharks‘ loss was compounded by injuries and a sin bin incident. Star front-rower Addin Fonua-Blake was sin binned in the 68th minute for a high tackle on Hamish Stewart. The tackle, initially missed by on-field referee Liam Kennedy, was reviewed by the Bunker. Fonua-Blake is expected to face a fine and potential suspension following review by the match review committee.
Adding to Cronulla‘s difficulties, Jesse Ramien left the field with a pectoral injury. Reports suggest Ramien could miss the remainder of the season, which would be a significant blow for the team, especially with KL Iro and Siosifa Talakai also dealing with injury concerns. Coach Craig Fitzgibbon commented on the injury, stating he was unsure of its extent but acknowledged it would ‘hurt’ the team.
Other players, including Mawene Hiroti and Braydon Trindall, also sustained minor issues during the game. The Sharks‘ halfback, Nicho Hynes, missed his first conversion from the sideline, ending his streak of 32 straight successful attempts. This kept Hazem El Masri‘s all-time record of 35 intact.
The Sharks now face a challenge to maintain their top-four position with four games remaining in the regular season. Their upcoming fixtures include matches against the Raiders, Titans, Eels, and Storm. To secure their spot, they will likely need to win at least three of these games to hold off teams like the Dolphins and Knights. Historically, no team has won the title from outside the top four.
Emerging talent for the Dragons
Despite a challenging season, the Dragons showcased promising young talent. Backrower Hamish Stewart, 21, delivered a standout performance, leading the forwards. He scored his team’s second try by leaping above three defenders to catch a bomb and later set up another try in the second half with a slick offload to Tyrell Sloan.
Stewart‘s performance included 87 metres from 11 carries and 41 tackles with only one missed. Coach Dean Young praised Stewart, highlighting his versatility and potential for a significant future with the Dragons. Other young forwards, such as Loko Pasifiki Tonga and Ryan Couchman, also performed well, running for 141 metres and 138 metres respectively from 15 carries each.
Ryan Couchman made a career-high 62 tackles in the match, which is the second most by any player this season. The team’s victory at Kogarah marks the second time they have won there against Cronulla in their last three encounters.
Source: foxsports.com.au
