Craig Cauchi reviews the Dragons match between the Rabbitohs in Andrew McCullough’s 300th game.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
St George Illawarra Dragons 32
Tries: Ben Hunt (4), Mikaele Ravalawa (11, 18), Jack De Belin (14), Moses Suli (23), Cody Ramsey (26)
Goals: Zac Lomax (6, 12, 24, 28)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
Tries: Damien Cook (57), Cameron Murray (61)
Goals: Kodi Nikorima (58, 62)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
The match started with both sides exchanging errors in what turned out to be a sign of what was to come for one of the sides. That turned out to be South Sydney with the visitors errors leading to a procession of points from the fired up home side. Ben Hunt struck first in the 4th minute, chipping through for Zac Lomax to collect and throw back inside for his skipper to score. The Rabbitohs continued to be wasteful with the ball and this time it was Hunt’s halves partner Amone that made them pay with a clean break setting up the returning Mikaele Ravalawa for the second of the night. A penalty off the next set put the Dragons on the attack and Ben Hunt orchestrated the next try, cutting back inside and finding Jack De Belin who carried defenders over the line. It got worse for the visitors, off the back of another penalty, the Dragons continued to find easy space against the defence and it gave Ravalawa the opportunity to score his second for the night. Ben Hunt had another assist minutes later, as the side rolled down field off a 7-tackle set and off a final play kick, Moses Suli dragged in the high ball to crash over. The sequence repeated itself, the Dragons rolling downfield, a penalty and this time Cody Ramsey split the Rabbitohs defenders for another Dragons try. The coaching staff responded to the visitors poor performance and hooked Lachlan Illias from the match. Late in the half Dragons Talatau Amone was sent to the sin bin but even with the extra number, Souths attack failed to make an impact before the halftime siren.
HALF-TIME: St George Illawarra Dragons 32 South Sydney Rabbitohs 0
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The first half was an impressive show of attack from the Dragons but the second half they relied on their defence with South Sydney earning majority of the ball. They looked clunky and were unable to take any of their opportunities until Damien Cook crossed nearly 20 minutes into the half. It took them five minutes to score their second try through Cameron Murray but it was a consolation. Souths continued to struggle for any fluency and the Dragons continued to show up to thwart any further chances. The first half blitz was too difficult for Souths to peg back with the Dragons putting in their best performance of the year for Andrew McCullough’s 300th game.
FULL-TIME: St George Illawarra Dragons 32 South Sydney Rabbitohs 12
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Ben Hunt (Dragons), 2 pts – Talatau Amone (Dragons), 1 pt – Blake Lawrie (Dragons)
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