Dragons down Panthers 16-14 to keep finals dream alive

AFTER 25 rounds, it all comes down to 80 pulsating minutes for four teams playing for three finals positions.

Dragons players celebrate victory over the Panthers at Pepper Stadium.

WIN and you’re in.

Lose and it’s the Mad Monday blues.

After 25 rounds, it all comes down to 80 pulsating minutes for four teams playing for three finals positions.

St George Illawarra did more than keep their finals hopes alive, they wrestled back control of their own ­destiny.

A courageous Dragons outfit beat Penrith 16-14 at a wet, wild and windy Pepper Stadium on Sunday, putting the Panthers’ finals hopes on the line next week.

St George Illawarra, Penrith, North Queensland and Manly are all now locked in a four-way battle for the top eight.

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Dragons players celebrate victory over the Panthers at Pepper Stadium.

Although they are still ninth on 28 points, a win over Canterbury at ANZ Stadium on Sunday means the Saints will all but play finals footy.

The eighth-placed Sea Eagles host the sixth-placed Panthers. Both are on 30 competition points and separated only by for against.

They have a winner-takes-all clash at Lottoland.

The depleted Cowboys host the Brisbane Broncos on Thursday night knowing a win will wrap up a top-eight finish.

But the fighting performance came from the Dragons, who triumphed in front of 18,848 fans at a packed Pepper Stadium.

And they did it without ­representative centre Josh Dugan, who was dumped for missing the team bus earlier in the morning.

Tyson Frizell on the charge for the Dragons against the Panthers at Pepper Stadium.

The patched-up Dragons displayed immense steel and grit to overcome a Penrith team that was unbeaten over the previous seven weeks.

It was memorable stuff.

Asked how important the Canterbury game would be, Dragons coach Paul McGregor said: “How important is it? The most important one. The key to making finals football is in our hands.

“We just have to make it happen and win another game of footy. We’re capable of doing it. I’ve seen this team grow in all areas of the game.

“Statistically, if you look at it, we’re a top-four side.

“It’s about going out there and playing our best footy for 80 minutes. If we can do that, we’ll win and play finals footy.”

Tariq Sims on the charge for the Dragons.

With forward Tariq Sims leading from the front, the Dragons have now moved to 28 competition points. The Red V are just about there.

“It was outstanding today, gutsy,” McGregor said.

“They came pretty hard at us. The conditions were going their way in the second half.

“We really fought back when under pressure and defended our line strong. To get a result here, they have won seven on the bounce, they are a good footy team.

“For me, it’s nothing but praise for our boys, how hard they worked, considering the changes going into the game today late. It’s our best win of the year, I think.

“As a team I thought we did what was needed.

“We turned up for each other at different stages.

“Our goal-line line speed was good. Today, as a group, I thought we were outstanding.”

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 16 (M Dufty T Sims P Vaughan tries G Widdop 2 goals) bt PENRITH 14 (J Mansour T May tries N Cleary 3 goals) at Pepper Stadium. Referee: Gerard Sutton, Ben Cummins. Crowd: 18,848