The Dragons have taken another step towards breaking their six-year finals drought, breaking back into the top eight after a nervy 32-16 win which ended the Titans’ season in Wollongong on Sunday.
Having watched the Dolphins squander a golden chance to shore up eighth spot against the Bulldogs in Bundaberg, St George Illawarra survived a second-half scare in the face of a howling southerly at WIN Stadium.
Titans fullback Keano Kini came close to an NRL record when he carried the ball for a staggering 354 metres – including setting up Gold Coast’s opening try with his side’s first touch of the ball from a kick return – but it wasn’t enough as the Dragons grimly defended their 20-point half-time lead.
The win moves them back into the play-off places with matches against the Sharks, Eels and Raiders to finish the regular season, while the Dolphins – who are now two points behind the Dragons but have a superior points differential – need to play the Storm, Broncos and Knights.
In what was a celebration of Kieran Foran’s 300th NRL match, the Titans blasted to a lead inside the first 70 seconds when Kini made a long break and set up Jojo Fifita.
But it was the last joy they would have running into a southerly buster as the Ben Hunt-inspired Dragons piled on five unanswered tries before the break, including efforts from the Couchman twins, Toby and Ryan.
Dragons stars Tyrell Sloan and Ben Hunt celebrate a try.Credit: Getty Images
Kini tried to spark the Titans in the second half, and it appeared to work when Jayden Campbell fortuitously scored after dropping the ball onto his foot and following through the play as Dragons defenders stood still.
St George Illawarra prop Jack de Belin was sin-binned for a high shot on Foran shortly after, yet the Red V somehow kept their line intact while down to 12 men.
