If you needed final, conclusive proof that St George Illawarra are the real deal in 2018, then this was it.
The top of the table Dragons taking on Melbourne, the club they have their worst head to head record against, at home in front of almost 20,000 fans at a packed Jubilee Oval.
The stage was set for the Dragons at Kogarah. And they delivered with a performance befitting their position and the occasion. They dominated the Storm almost from the first whistle to run out 34-14 winners.
Their forwards again aimed up. How many will NSW coach Brad Fittler pick for State of Origin I? On this evidence you could just about pick all of them – other than Englishman James Graham.
Their halves again controlled the game. Ben Hunt, less noticeable this week but still the ringmaster. And Gareth Widdop, who is surely the form player of the competition.
The Dragons took the lead with a Widdop penalty goal after nine minutes and would cross for their first try from the ensuing set.
The hosts marched down field on the back of a penalty. Cameron McInnes shifted right from dummy half on Melbourne’s try line, with Hunt dancing across field before finding Euan Aitken. The powerful centre showed good strength to hold off Storm debutant Justin Olam to score.
Another Widdop penalty goal extended St George Illawarra’s lead to 10-0 after 15 minutes. Will Chambers had jumped off Melbourne’s try line early to intercept a McInnes pass out of dummy half before sprinting away, only for referee Matt Ceccin to immediately rule him offside.
Melbourne hit back midway through the half on the back of their own penalty after the Dragons were ruled offside after a failed attempt to defuse a bomb. A shift to the left saw Josh Addo-Carr slip outside Jason Nightingale to touch down.
The Storm went close twice on the half hour mark. Addo-Carr appeared to be in for a second try after a sublime catch and pass from Slater, only for Slater’s pass to be ruled forward. That saw Ceccin award Melbourne a penalty for an infringement in the play the ball.
Cameron Munster then went close shortly after, only for his effort to be ruled a double movement by the video referee.
The Dragons continued to defend strongly with another Widdop penalty goal extending St George Illawarra’s lead to 12-4 at half-time.
They added to their advantage one minute after the break when McInnes strolled through a gap close to Melbourne’s line out of dummy half. Though replays showed Storm captain Cameron Smith had worn a hit below the belt from Jeremy Latimore at the previous play the ball and, with Smith on the ground, Melbourne were left short at marker.
The Dragons then scored the try of the match on 47 minutes, created by some brilliant quick thinking from Widdop.
The five-eighth went back to the short side after spotting an overlap close to Melbourne’s line, with the ball ending up with Tim Lafai to touch down in the corner.
With St George Illawarra 24-4 in front with 18 minutes to play Melbourne were in desperate need of someone to spark a comeback. And Munster provided it with a solo run and long cut out pass for Addo-Carr, who caught the ball in one hand on the run to dive over out wide.
But the comeback was short lived with Aitken sealing the result with his second try three minutes later. The centre burst through multiple tackles before setting sail for the try line.
Addo-Carr completed his hat-trick in the final five minutes but it was only a consolation for Melbourne who were well beaten on the day.
As for St George Illawarra, the question of whether they are a genuine contender has been answered. Top of the table after nine rounds, only one loss and a number of impressive displays against quality opposition has them as premiership favourites.
They head to Mudgee next Sunday to take on Canberra. It will take some effort from the Raiders to stop the Saints from marching on.
Leader Scoreboard
St George Illawarra Dragons 34 (Euan Aitken two, Cameron McInnes, Tim Lafai tries. Gareth Widdop nine goals)
defeated
Melbourne Storm 14 (Josh Addo-Carr three tries. Cameron Smith goal)
at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah
Crowd: 19,173
Leader man of the match: Gareth Widdop (Dragons)
Dragons’ next three: Rabbitohs (away – ANZ Stadium), Raiders (home – Mudgee), Panthers (away)
