NRL 2023 Titans vs. Dragons: Did bunker miss open-handed strike from Erin Clark in melee?

Tempers have exploded in the Titans-Dragons clash, with several stars lucky to avoid time in the sin bin, after a Gold Coast star appeared to lash out at Tyrell Sloan.

An all-in brawl broke out, with Titans star Erin Clark appearing the strike at Dragons Fullback Tyrell Sloan. Picture: NRL Imagery.

A brilliant individual performance from winger Phillip Sami has helped the Gold Coast Titans seal a 20-18 win in what was a heated battle against St George Illawarra on Sunday night.

The tight first half contest descended into an all-in melee as tensions boiled over, but no one was punished leaving pundits and commentators scratching their heads.

Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui found himself in a scuffle with Dragons fullback Tyrell Sloan.

Jaydn Su’A didn’t like the extra attention his much smaller teammate was receiving at the hands of Fa’asuamaleaui and rushed in to defend Sloan sparking all-in push and shove.

An all-in brawl broke out, with Titans star Erin Clark appearing the strike at Dragons Fullback Tyrell Sloan. Picture: NRL Imagery.

GALLERY: 50 photos from Titans v Dragons thriller

At one point it even appeared Titans utility Erin Crike took a strike at a Dragons player.

But referee Peter Peter Gough only penalised Su’A for rushing in and all involved survived the dreaded sin bin.

This game has erupted! 👀

📺WATCH #NRLTitansDragons on Ch. 502 or stream via @kayosportshttps://t.co/KU6O1WswuO
✍️BLOG https://t.co/bRmAAR0QF0
🔢 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/AkTBZHYMy2pic.twitter.com/sBYp7JokKf

— Fox League (@FOXNRL) April 9, 2023

“I’m not sure if it was a punch, he swung his arm forward. I don’t know how dangerous it was. But you can’t do that anymore, we all know that. It’s a fine line, it’s a physical game the way they do play it, it’s hard not to get caught (up) in it … and we were the ones with a try scoring opportunity and it stopped all our momentum. That’s what I was disappointed in,” Holbrook said.

Dragons enforcer Jaydn Su’A was unhappy with Tino Fa’asuamaleaui’s rough treatment of Sloan. Picture: NRL Imagery

Su’A did however find himself in trouble for a hip drop on Tanah Boyd.

But Dragons coach Anthony Griffin backed his player.

“We have always struggled with it, they are not intentional. They are trying to get the player to the ground. It’s something as a game we have got to get some certainty around because accidents happen,” Griffin said.

Su’a was also lucky to avoid a sin bin for a possible hip drop tackle on Tanah Boyd. Picture: NRL Images.

Speedster Alofiana Khan-Pereira has been a revelation on the edge but last night belonged to the man on the right, Phillip Sami.

Sami was the best on ground for the Titans, producing a blockbuster performance headlined by a huge 228 metres, 14 tackle busts, three linebreaks and a try.

The winger was not only a handful with the ball in hand, he was a threat to the Dragons defence.

“He’s been great all year… he wants us to do well and he’s playing a big part in that,” Titans coach Justin Holbrook said.

Toby Sexton answered coach Justin Holbrook’s SOS with class, sealing the victory with a try in the 73rd minute.

“It’s special to be honest. I trained my ass off in the pre-season and knew I would get an opportunity somewhere along the line,” Sexton said. “I’m really enjoying my footy at the moment and it’s pretty nice to finish the way it did.”

Titans flyer Phillip Sami had a game to remember, scoring a barnstorming try to level the scores. Picture: NRL Images.

SIXES AND SEVENS

Holbrook’s message to Sexton in his first NRL game of the season was clear, keep it simple. The five-eighth, who was in for Kieran Foran, played to the brief. He produced a beautiful kick to force the Dragons to come from their own end in the opening minutes. The playmaker then set-up fullback Jayden Campbell with a late offload to post first point for the Titans in the 23rd minute. At the pivotal moment, Sexton perfectly executed a show-and-go to fool Ben Hunt and seal the win with a try with three minutes on the clock.

“He was terrific for us, he’s waited for his opportunity. He’s stepped up. Scored a try at the end that we needed,” Holbrook said.

Holbrook confirmed Kieran Foran is firming to return from a calf injury next week for the derby against Brisbane.

Toby Sexton stood up in the absence of Kieran Foran, scoring the matchwinning try in the dying minutes. Picture: Getty Images.

WALKING THE TALK

Dragons general Ben Hunt has been the most vocal supporter of under siege Anthony Griffin, claiming the club would go backwards for sacking the coach. Hunt has been the Dragons’ best since publicly endorsing Griffin and last night was no different. Hunt is playing for his coach’s future admirably. Hunt’s orchestrating and footy smarts kept the Dragons in the game. In a fitting finish, Hunt combined with Jack Bird on a left side shift to splice through the Titans and give the Dragons the lead with six minutes on the clock.

“It’s definitely one that got away,” Hunt said.

“The weight of possession, there were a couple of six agains in there.

“In the end, if you give a team that can attack real well, they are going to get over your line.”

Originally published as NRL 2023 Titans vs. Dragons: Did bunker miss open-handed strike from Erin Clark in melee?