With six minutes to go and the result beyond reach in Sunday’s clash between the Dragons and Dolphins, Herbie Farnworth looked certain to score a consolation try.
But from out of nowhere, Moses Suli – who is by no means the fastest centre in the competition – flew from the other side of the field and made a try-saving tackle.
Despite his side leading by 20 points, Suli lunged out and dragged Farnworth backwards, forcing the ball loose in a desperation moment.
READ MORE: ‘Shocked’ Hockeyroos in disbelief over selection snub
READ MORE: ‘Way off the mark’: Gallen busts Broncos myth
READ MORE: Blues star inks fresh deal after lengthy contract saga
That same type of desperation has been missing for St George Illawarra for the past few season at least and Shane Flanagan couldn’t help but smile when a reporter brought Suli’s last-ditch effort up during the post-game press conference.
“With things like that, you can look at the scoreboard and not react,” the coach said.
“That’s the sort of team we want to be – no matter what the scoreboard says, we scramble and save tries. That’s a good example, I’ll be showing that during the week.”
That particular moment from Suli typifies the new-look Dragons, who moved into the top-eight for the first time since round one and have been one of the NRL’s big improvers this season under Flanagan’s guidance.
Earlier in the year, Flanagan’s men travelled to Redcliffe to face the Dolphins and were absolutely spanked in a 38-0 drubbing, sounding early alarm bells at the club.
The turnaround naturally hasn’t been all smooth sailing but Flanagan has instilled the steely defensive resolve he was known for during his days as Cronulla coach.
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Their second-half shutout of the Dolphins was yet another example of the improved mental strength within the four walls, despite some shaky moments in 2024.
“In round two, we were just growing as a football team,” Flanagan said.
“It’s been well-publicised that we’ve played really well and it hasn’t been so good the next week. We have been inconsistent, but we are a lot better defensively. The team from round two to the team we are today, there’s been a lot of improvement.”
In their opening eight games, St George Illawarra conceded 214 points, headlined by an Anzac Day shellacking against the Sydney Roosters.
In their past seven games, Flanagan’s team have let in 140 points.
It’s by no means a pretty number or an extravagant difference, but it’s been enough to start allowing their rusted-on supporters to believe there is light at the end of the tunnel.
”From round two to now, we’ve definitely changed and grown as a team,” captain Ben Hunt said after the round 18 win.
“It took a bit of time for us to learn and really buy in … we showed today that if we stick to our systems, we can do a good job.
“You can definitely feel the excitement building – inside the club and on the outside. You run into some fans on the street and they are all really excited and feeling good about where the club is going.
“It’s exciting for us, but we’ve still got some work to do to please those fans.”
The first item on the agenda for the Red V will be seeking some form of revenge for their 60-18 loss back in April and Flanagan revealed his squad are already aware of the challenge that lies ahead against the Roosters.
“My word, it’s already been mentioned in the sheds,” he said.
“It’s a bit of redemption. I thought we got off to a really good start against the Roosters that day. It was 20 minutes in and we had scored the first try and we were up for it – but then their halfback kicked us off the park.
“We need to be really good next week and it’s a really good challenge for us.
“After today’s result, it’s a good place for us to be in and let’s see how we go against another top-four side … we will know where we’re at.”