Jaydn Su’A comes up with all time bombed try as Tigers win 34-28 over Dragons

Benji Marshall’s Tigers have held on to claim victory in a Magic Round boilover, as the Dragons were left rueing an all-time try fumble that ultimately cost them the game.

Suncorp Stadium was the scene of heart attacks and nightmares, as the Wests Tigers survived a second-half surge against St George Illawarra on Saturday night.

The Tigers made it back to back wins with a 34-28 victory that never looked certain as the Dragons refused to go away running in three second half tries to stay in the fight.

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For Tigers fans it was another week of heart in the mouth stuff after a massive golden point win against Cronulla at Leichhardt Oval.

For Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A it was the stuff of nightmares. Su’A bombed a try that will go down as an early contender for howler of the year.

In pleasing signs for Tigers coach Benji Marshall, any signs of discontent between Lachlan Galvin and his teammates, or fallout from the contract saga that engulfed the club, appear to be in the side’s rear view mirror – at least for now.

The Wests Tigers have survived a second-half surge from the Dragons to claim victory. Picture: Getty Images

BULA MAGIC

One moment Tigers fullback looked gone for all money, the next, he was waving the Magic Round wand.

Dragons forward Jaydn Su’A bombed a certain try spilling the ball over the line, only for Bula to pick up the pill, tuck it under his arm and streak 100-metres to score the unlikeliest try of the weekend so far.

“I’ve seen players bomb tries … but I’ve never seen that ever,” Fox League’s Greg Alexander said.”

Shane Flanagan conceded Jaydn Su’A’s bombed try was a key turning point in the game. Picture: NRL Imagery

“What happened just before half-time ended up being the turning point,” Dragons coach Shane Flanagan said after the match

“We [could have] gone into half-time 20-16, we only had a few play-the-balls in their 20m zone. But it wasn’t to be.

“I loved that in the second half we showed some grit, and we were coming back to get them. We had opportunities to nail it in the back end, we just didn’t do it.”

Earlier in the game, Bula went down clutching his ankle sending a huge injury scare through Suncorp Stadium.

In a show of grit, the livewire No.1 to run-off his visible discomfort to finish with 251 metres.

But coach Benji Marshall is sweating on the fitness of Brent Naden, who did leave the field with a knee injury early in the second half.

Jahreem Bula scooped up Su’A’s bombed try and ran the length of the field to score himself. Picture: NRL Imagery

The likes of Solomona Faataape will come into contention for next week’s clash against Melbourne if Naden is ultimately ruled out.

“I was a little bit angry and happy at the same time,” Benji Marshall said at full time.

“He [Su’A] should have scored. For Jahream to pick it up and keep playing, you need to make your own luck sometimes.

“I don’t want to sound like I’m negative about winning, but there are so many things we can do better.”

Dragons forward Emre Guler also didn’t finish the clash, suffering a dislocated shoulder in the 58th minute.

Emre Guler suffered a dislocated shoulder. Picture: NRL Imagery

LYHKAN WHAT HE SEES?

King-Togia looked right at home early in his first ever start in the No.7 jumper. Shane Flanagan’s decision to axe Lachlan Ilias in favour of King-Togia generated plenty of headlines during the week. King-Togia had some nice touches early and set-up the Dragons’ first try for Dylan Egan. In a rush of blood, King-Togia came up with a costly error, coughing up possession trying to come up with a flashy no-look flick pass. King-Togia finished the game with two try assists, Ilias only managed four try assists in seven games before being axed. Like Ilias in the halves, King-Togia is a work in progress but has plenty of potential. He re-signed until the end of 2027 earlier in the week, in a sign coach Shane Flanagan is willing to show the 19-year old patience. It could ultimately resign Ilias to a similar fate to that at South Sydney, stuck in reserve grade.

SLOPPY SLOAN

There has never been any question about Tyrell Sloan’s ability with the ball in hand, he can be a gamebreaker.

The knock has always been his defence, arguably his greatest deficiency as a fullback.

He did little to silence his defensive detractors on Saturday night after making a feeble effort to stop Tigers flyer Charlie Staines from crossing the line for a second time in the first half.

Sloan looked very reluctant to put his body as he clutched at Staines’ jersey offering very little resistance defence.