First-half blitz improves Dragons’ NRL finals hopes

The St George Illawarra Dragons put on a first-half clinic against the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon in Wollongong, running in five tries before the break to win 32-16.

The win gives their 2024 finals hopes a boost, with the Dragons clear in eighth place on the NRL ladder, sitting two points ahead of their closest rivals.

St George Illawarra had momentarily fallen out of the top eight as the side seeks their first finals appearance since 2018.

Titans start fast, Dragons respond in style

Despite being behind 26-6 at half-time, it was actually the Titans who started best in this round 24 clash.

Jojo Fifita scored before a minute was up on the clock, taking an inside pass from Keano Kini off the back of the Gold Coast’s first set.

That was to be the high point of the visitors half, however, as the Dragons then ran in 26 unanswered points.

Christian Tuipulotu and Ben Hunt both bagged quick tries inside the first 10 minutes, before star winger Zac Lomax pounced for a third.

Toby Couchman and Luciano Leilua rounded out the opening stanza scoring, taking the Dragons through to their highest first-half score in two years.

The second half was a more sedate affair from the home team with just one more try added in the 76th minute.

The Gold Coast did well to fight their way back into the contest, crossing over early in the second through Jayden Campbell, and again as Fifita bagged a second.

Tigers fight to avoid wooden spoon

Earlier in the round, the Wests Tigers pulled off an upset victory against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

Heading into the match, the Tigers were the favourites with top sports bookmakers to finish at the bottom of the table and win the wooden spoon.

By edging the Rabbitohs 18-16 in a scrapy affair, Wests improve their chances of avoiding the bottom spot.

Bookmaker Playup still has them at a short price to finish last. However, with a bye and a match against the Parramatta Eels at home, at least the Tigers will have their fate in their own hands.

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