Ben Hunt stars as Dragons down Roosters 24-8 in Anzac Day clash
THE Dragons have held off the challenge of the Roosters to secure their place at the top of the ladder with a 24-8 win on Anzac Day.
Dragons
Don't miss out on the headlines from Dragons. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Anzac Day Diggers went marching in the morning before Saints did the same — all over the Sydney Roosters.
Uncompromising, unexpected and now unmasked — St George Illawarra are the real deal. Their credentials can no longer be cross-examined.
The mighty Saints produced a thumping 24-8 victory to secure the Anzac Cup at a heaving and emotional Allianz Stadium. Two tries in each half — one a contentious grounding to Dragons winger Nene MacDonald — kept Saints on top of the NRL competition ladder with their seventh win from eight games.
The Roosters’ lack of consistency is damaging their season and confidence. They have won four from eight.
Cooper Cronk’s transition to Sydney hasn’t quite been as smooth as expected. And Cronk will wake with cold sweats thinking about Dragons enforcer Tariq Sims, who twice poleaxed the Roosters playmaker.
Sims is an Origin player in waiting. And Saints are on a roll.
“These days are special,” Dragons coach Paul McGregor said. “You have an opportunity to go out there and show gratitude. We certainly didn’t let anyone down with our commitment and the courage we showed at different times. There were a lot of ticks today.
“I was very, very pleased about our commitment and energy. We didn’t have a tired player on the field. That’s how you win. There is a real belief and trust in one another. They have a purpose beyond what they are doing.”
This was a special day at a special place for a special game. It was moving, powerful and sentimental.
TIPS: Who have our experts got for Round 8?
INGLIS: I’m glad I went through the pain
The Last Post and Reveille somehow silenced 41,142 fans. This is the most soul-stirring day on the rugby league calendar.
It was 6-0 to St George Illawarra before the band had marched off the field. Inside the first minute on the first set, Dragons halfback Ben Hunt cut a hole through the Roosters’ middle before a Gareth Widdop kick was fumbled by Roosters winger Blake Ferguson for MacDonald’s first try. It was a stunning start that sent Saints fans into a frenzy.
There wasn’t another try scored until inside the final minute of the first half when Hunt stepped his way through for a lovely solo try. Saints led 12-2 at halftime and left the field to a standing ovation, as they did at fulltime.
The MacDonald try, when it appeared he lost control of the ball, drew differing opinions from both dressing rooms. At that point, Saints led 18-8.
“I thought he did enough to keep a fingertip on it,” McGregor said.
But Roosters skipper Boyd Cordner vehemently disagreed.
“I think it was plain to see he lost the ball — that hurts even more,” he said.
There was an astonishing moment midway through the first half. The Dragons had defended their tryline for eight minutes before the frustrated Roosters decided to take a penalty goal. It was a clear moral victory for Dragons players, who clapped and celebrated at the Roosters’ decision to take two points rather than push for a try.
“We probably grew after that. It was a time when we needed a rest,” McGregor said. “To come away from that with only two points against us, it was a massive turning point in the game.”
Robinson admitted it was his call to take the two points.
“That was mine,” Robinson said.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 24 (N MacDonald 2 B Hunt T Sims tries G Widdop 4 goals) bt SYDNEY ROOSTERS 8 (L Mitchell try L Mitchell 2 goals) at Allianz Stadium. Referee: Gavin Badger, Ashley Klein. Crowd: 41,142.