Moments before kick-off, in a bid to rev up the faithful and celebrate St George Illawarra’s invitation to Vegas, an Elvis impersonator did his thing.
When Elvis left the building, the real “King” strutted onto Nestrata Jubilee Stadium.
Clint Gutherson may only be 11 games into his Dragons stint, but already he has given the Red V a slew of hits and memories. Against a form fullback – Fletcher Sharpe again deputised for Kalyn Ponga, whose ankle pulled up sore after State of Origin – Gutherson again left his mark.
The former Parramatta captain scored a try and led from the front as the Red V climbed into sixth spot on the ladder with a 20-6 win over Newcastle.
“He has been fantastic all year with his leadership and encouragement, he’s been great,” said Dragons coach Shane Flanagan.
The Dragons celebrate Clint Gutherson’s try.Credit: Getty Images
There were many other contributors. Damien Cook, another veteran with a point to prove, showed all his wile and deception with a hand in the first three tries. Jaydn Su’A scored a try but came off with a syndesmosis injury that effectively ended hopes of a call-up for Origin II.
The new faces also played their part. Nathan Lawson, whose background consists of rugby sevens and an Olympic Games, looked at home on debut. The winger ran hard and finished as one of the game’s top metre-eaters.
Then there’s Loko Pasifiki Tonga, a 123kg giant just shy of two metres. When he stormed towards the tryline from close range, only one outcome was possible. Another “King”, Lyhkan King-Togia, has also shown early promise in the halves.
Not that they were up against much. Newcastle scored a solitary try and otherwise never looked likely. The two forwards who combined for that rare highlight, Leo Thompson and Kai Pearce-Paul, are heading for the exit out.
Just over a week ago, coach Adam O’Brien said he had the full support of the board. What he really needs is the support of his players. They appear to suffer from a lack of imagination with the football; it’s hard to believe this was the same side that blew the premiers off Carrington Park in the opening half last week.
“In this battle, we lost to the scheduling and the draw,” O’Brien said of his decision to rest Ponga.
“Someone has to play Friday night, I get that, but then they give us next Thursday as well.
“It would have been three games in eight days. That’s not looking after our players. I had to step in and look after them … Whoever does the draw hasn’t lived it or doesn’t care. I don’t know which one it is … it’s ridiculous.”
This is a side that can’t wait until next year for Dylan Brown. With the June 30 transfer deadline approaching, the decks need to be shuffled to accommodate him early.