St George Illawarra have produced a fantastic second-half display to move into the top-eight, defeating the Dolphins in wet conditions on Sunday afternoon.
With a couple of other big guns failing to back up from State of Origin duties, it was up to Ben Hunt and Jaydn Su’A to stand up for the Dragons and that’s exactly what they did, inspiring a spirited comeback to finish 26-6 victors.
The first half was full of injury concerns for both sides, with Dolphins centre Jake Averillo and Dragons winger Mat Feagai both going down with shoulder issues.
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Averillo managed to stay on the field, but Feagai was unable to continue as the Saints were forced into yet another backline reshuffle without a replacement on the bench.
However, the biggest issue came for Jeremy Marshall-King, who was forced off the field with an ankle injury after being caught up in an “awkward” tackle.
“The ankle got caught beneath Jack de Belin late in the tackle – nothing illegal about it, just an awkward trapping of the ankle,” commentator Matt Russell said on Fox League.
League great Steve Roach admitted his absence would hurt the Dolphins.
“That’s a big loss too, just with his smoothness and guile around dummy-half with his passing,” he said.
During the half-time break, Marshall-King was spotted in the sheds wearing a moon boot and the club will be sweating on the fitness of their star hooker.
After nearly 40 minutes without a try, Tesi Niu capitalised on some sloppy work from the hosts to score in the corner, but after the break the Red V took control.
Raymond Faitala-Mariner and Christian Tuipolotu both scored in quick succession, before some tremendous skill from Maroons star Su’A set up Tyrell Sloan to extend the lead and continue the second-half onslaught.
Su’A came up with another huge play when the visitors were on the attack, dragging Kodi Nikorima over the sideline just days after playing a tough Origin game.
“He is having a big game Jaydn Su’A,” Russell said.
“He moved from edge back-row to centre and he switched sides of the field.”
Jack de Belin and Jacob Liddle sealed the deal for St George Illawarra, with both players going over from close range to bring the Kogarah Oval faithful to their feet.
Kurt Donoghoe found himself in hot water after de Belin’s try, collecting Francis Molo with a high shot and Adam Gee had no choice but to send him to the sin bin.
“It definitely helps getting over a loss when you can come back home and get a win in front of your own fans,” skipper Hunt told Fox League post-game.