Dragons overcome Broncos in tight Kogarah encounter

A try to Mike Cooper has seen the St. George Illawarra Dragons overcome the Brisbane Broncos 12-10 in front on 13,029 supporters at WIN Jubilee Oval on Friday night.

With both sides coming into the game on the back of successful winning streaks, the Dragons were out to break a losing record against Brisbane dating back to 2010.

While the home side started strongly, it was a former Dragons that crossed for the first try after a great pass from fill-in fullback Justin Hodges saw Daniel Vidot score in the corner after 17 minutes.

Only minutes later, the Dragons responded through Eto Nabuli after Man of the Match Gareth Widdop was taken out trying to chase his own kick. Fortunately for the home side, the Fijian winger was able to ground the ball resulting in the scores being level at 4-all after a quarter of the game.

The only other scoring play of the half occurred after several repeat sets yielded a penalty right in front of the posts, leaving Gareth Widdop with an easy conversion to take the Dragons out to a 6-4 lead at the change of ends.

Having reinjured his hamstring in the first half, the Broncos were forced to play the game out without captain Justin Hodges and shortly after the break were reduced to 15 men after Alex Glenn suffered a suspected fractured eye socket after coming into contact with Dylan Farrell's arm.

Despite the setbacks, Brisbane were able to capitalise on their field position with Sam Thaiday burrowing over the line after a great pass from newly re-signed hooker Andrew McCullough. With Anthony Milford converting from in front the Broncos regained the lead, 10-6.

From the kickoff, Broncos prop Adam Blair made heavy contact with Jake Marketo, resulting in the interchange forward being assisted off the field after only a matter of seconds of game time.

Off the back of a parochial home crowd, the Dragons crossed for the match winning try through Mike Cooper ten minutes from time. With footwork reminiscent of Trent Merrin in the 2013 State of Origin decider, the English prop brought the house down as the Dragons held on for a 12-10 win following Gareth Widdop's conversion.

While a late Andrew McCullough 40/20 almost produced a try to Ben Hunt, the Dragons were not to be denied, taking their winning streak to five in a row for the first time since 2011.

For the Dragons, Gareth Widdop was the standout with an exemplary kicking game, while Will Matthews, playing his first game of the year, produced a number of terrific hits throughout his 41-tackle stint.

For the Broncos, a missed penalty goal mid-way through the second half would have seen the game go into extra time, but their poor completion rate ultimately cost them.

Next week the Dragons will play the Roosters in the annual ANZAC day clash, while the Broncos will round out the Super Saturday 5-game lineup taking on the Eels at Suncorp Stadium.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Gareth Widdop
2 points - Will Matthews
1 point - Dylan Farrell

ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (12)
Tries: Eto Nabuli, Mike Cooper
Field Goals: Gareth Widdop (0/1)
Conversions: Gareth Widdop (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Gareth Widdop (1/1)

BRISBANE BRONCOS (10)
Tries: Daniel Vidot, Sam Thaiday
Conversions: Corey Parker (0/1), Anthony Milford (1/1)
Penalty Goals: Corey Parker (0/1)

Welcome to League Unlimited's coverage of Round 7 Friday Night Football between St. George Illawarra Dragons and Brisbane Broncos at WIN Jubilee Oval.

For the Dragons, Mike Cooper comes straight into the side after missing last week's win against Canterbury with a hamstring injury. This pushes captain Ben Creagh back to the bench with George Rose missing out.

For the Broncos, coach Wayne Bennett has made a number of changes from last week's side. While Anthony Milford has been named at fullback, expect the former Raider to remain in the halves with the returning Justin Hodges shifting to fullback in the absence of the injured Lachlan Maranta. After missing the past two games with injury, Kiwi front rower Adam Blair will make his return off the bench.

Brisbane have dominated the Dragons in recent times, winning 10 of the past 11 clashes with the sole Dragons win coming in 2010 against a very inexperienced Broncos side.

The last time these two sides met at Kogarah was Round 12, 2007 when mid-season signing Jamie Soward landed a late field goal to give the Dragons a much needed 11-4 win.

Kick-off only moments away.

Leeson Ah Mau takes the first run and the game is underway.

1: Corey Oates defuses Benji Marshall's bomb. Broncos to bring it out of their own end.

2: Dragons already inside the Broncos half with a number of tackles remaining.

3: Mitch Rein drops the ball cold. Out of nowhere, Rein loses control. Chance gone begging for the Dragons.

4: Matt Gillett loses the ball trying to play it. The conditions must be slippery at Kogarah.

5: Josh Dugan breaks a few tackles before being tackled in the Broncos half.

5: Benji Marshall puts a grubber in-goal for Mata'utia. Referee is checking it, but it can't be a try.

5: It will be No Try. 20m Re-start.

6: Brisbane come close to an unlikely try but Anthony Milford can't catch Jack Reed's ricocheted kick.

8: The Dragons have looked the better side so far, but neither side has had a genuine attacking chance yet.

9: Anthony Milford throws a forward pass after a terrible catch. Poor finish to an attacking Broncos set.

10: Penalty to Brisbane. Ben Hunt finds touch just over half way.

11: Penalty to Brisbane for hand on the ball.

11: Brisbane opt against taking the 2 points.

13: Dragons will resume play after Benji Marshall forces the ball dead.

13: Josh Dugan finds touch from the line drop out.

14: Dragons will have a scrum 40m out.

15: Corey Oates is able to take Benji Marshall's bomb in goal. Poor end to a promising Dragons set.

16: Anthony Milford grubbers but Jack Reed is unable to beat Josh Dugan to the ball. Line Dropout.

17: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Daniel Vidot. Kick to come.
The former Dragon crosses for the first try after a great cut-out pass from Justin Hodges.

18: After several repeat sets, Brisbane score first points.

18: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
From the sideline, Corey Parker has the height but the kick is to the right.

18: Big hit on Sam Thaiday from the kickoff by Will Matthews forces a turnover.

19: Dale Copley is forced in-goal after Gareth Widdop's grubber.

20: Josh Dugan throws a nice ball to Eto Nabuli who is cut down short of the line.

21: Possible Try to the Dragons. Gareth Widdop was taken out, but Eto Nabuli was able to get the ball down before the ball goes dead.

21: Nabuli has pressure on the ball. It should be a try to the Dragons.

21: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Eto Nabuli. Kick to come.
The big Fijian winger crosses for his 3rd try of the season.

22: UNSUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop unsuccessful.
From close to the sideline, Widdop pushes the kick to the right. 4-all scoreline.

24: Penalty to the Dragons. Widdop finds touch 40m out from the line.

25: Widdop chips in-goal, it misses Dylan Farrell but Peter Mata'utia is able to force Dale Copley dead. Line Dropout.

26: Our League Unlimited player to watch, Jack de Belin is on replacing Leeson Ah Mau.

26: Josh Dugan earns a penalty as he is tackled short of the line.

27: The Dragons have decided to take the 2 points.

27: It may well prove the difference, but personally, I think the Dragons should be going for the try.

28: SUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Penalty goal attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
From close to the posts, Widdop nails the penalty.

28: Adam Blair and Mitchell Dodds are on for the Broncos.

29: Euan Aitken loses the ball. Broncos scrum 20m out.

30: A forward pass by Andrew McCullough to Mitchell Dodds is called. Dragons off the hook.

32: Anthony Milford loses the ball after a great hit from Will Matthews.

32: Coming in for the suspended Tyson Frizell, Will Matthews has been tremendous tonight so far.

32: Heath L'Estrange is on for Mitch Rein.

33: Justin Hodges is tackled in-goal. Great chase from Joel Thompson forces Hodges back.

34: Eto Nabuli loses the ball close to the line after a great sweep play.

35: McCullough makes a great run that in finished off by a great take from Eto Nabuli.

35: Josh Dugan kicks ahead for Peter Mata'utia but the kick is just a bit too heavy.

37: Vidot tries to get around Nabuli but can't quite get there.

37: Possible try to Brisbane. Referee has ruled No Try, looking for a possible mid-air tackle on Peter Mata'utia.

37: Anthony Milford was the man who got over.

37: Corey Oates took Mata'utia out while he was still in the air. It should be a penalty to the Dragons. No Try.

38: No Try. Gareth Widdop finds touch 40m out.

38: Widdop kicks in-goal again, Joel Thompson forces Dale Copley for a line drop out.

39: A bizarre last few seconds here at Kogarah.

40: Gareth Widdop chipped for Nabuli and followed it up with an attempted drop goal.

40: UNSUCCESSFUL FIELD GOAL ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Field goal attempt by Gareth Widdop unsuccessful.
The Dragons Five-Eighths kick barely gets off the ground. H/T 6-4 to the home side.

40: Brisbane have only completed 8/16 in the first half but are only down by 2. If the Broncos can improve their ball handling they are a real chance of notching their 6th straight win.

40: So far the Dragons haven't used Jack Marketo, while the Broncos are yet to use Mitchell Garbutt or Kodi Nikorima. I'm expecting Nikorima to have a big impact for the Broncos when he gets on which could cause a real danger for tiring Dragons forwards.

40: Justin Hodges will start the second half on the bench. He doesn't appear to be severely injured.

40: In Hodges absence Kodi Nikorima has gone on.

40: BREAKING NEWS: Justin Hodges ruled out with a hamstring injury.

41: The Dragons have the ball as the rain is starting to fall at Kogarah.

43: Gareth Widdop bombs, but Daniel Vidot is on the spot to take it.

44: Widdop kicks inside the 40, but the ball is taken by Kodi Nikorima who is operating at fullback.

45: Penalty to the Dragons. Jack Reed is down injured after contesting the ball.

46: Benji Marshall loses the ball. Brisbane will have a chance from 40 out.

48: Josh Dugan knocks on trying to intercept the Broncos pass only metres from the try line.

48: Alex Glenn is down injured.

48: Alex Glenn is coming off after running into the arm of Dylan Farrell.

48: Penalty to Brisbane. Sam Thaiday is coming on as a replacement.

49: UNSUCCESSFUL PENALTY GOAL BRISBANE BRONCOS
Penalty goal attempt by Corey Parker unsuccessful.
From a very kickable position, Parker pushes it wide.

50: Great tackle by Gareth Widdop forces Dale Copley to lose the ball in a try scoring position.

51: It's still very early, but so far tonight Gareth Widdop has been the best player on the park, easily.

52: Anthony Milford grubbers in-goal. Dragons will drop out.

54: TRY BRISBANE BRONCOS
Scored by Sam Thaiday. Kick to come.
Fresh on the field, the big prop burrows his way over. After a wealth of possession, the Broncos take back the lead.

55: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION BRISBANE BRONCOS
Conversion attempt by Anthony Milford successful.
From right in front Milford nails the two.

55: Jake Marketo has just come on and has been monstered by Adam Blair. He's being replaced after playing only a few seconds of the game.

56: Mitchell Garbutt is on for the Broncos.

56: Fresh on the field, Garbutt loses the ball.

56: Early diagnosis on Alex Glenn: Suspected fractured eye socket and broken nose.

57: On the first tackle, Dylan Farrell loses the ball.

57: Brisbane are down to a two-man bench with Hodges and Glenn out.

58: Brisbane send Anthony Milford on the run with a kick but Josh Dugan gets there first.

58: St. George Illawarra are down to a three-man bench following Marketo's concussion.

59: Brisbane get a repeat set inside the Dragons 30m. Big chance to blow the game open here.

60: Daniel Vidot dives for the line but the referee is ruling No Try. He looks to have dropped the ball after a try saving tackle from Nabuli.

60: No Try to Vidot. Had he scored there the Broncos may well have wrapped up the game with 20 to play.

62: Dylan Farrell decides to kick ahead in-goal but it's far too heavy. 20 metre restart Brisbane.

64: Somehow the Dragons have come up with the ball after a number of dropped balls.

64: Dragons penalty from just over halfway.

65: Widdop is tackled by three Broncos just short of the line.

66: Penalty to Brisbane for an offside player. The Dragons attack isn't there tonight, they'll need some Dugan magic to get out of this one.

67: Euan Aitken is only a metre away from the line.

68: Mike Cooper is over the line but he may have bounced the ball.

69: TRY ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Scored by Mike Cooper. Kick to come.
In a try reminiscent of Peni Terepo and Trent Merrin from 2013, the Dragons have levelled the scores.

69: SUCCESSFUL CONVERSION ST. GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS
Conversion attempt by Gareth Widdop successful.
He's got it! Home side back in front!

70: The Dragons needed a big play and it came from an unlikely source in the form of Cooper.

70: Josh Dugan makes a great kick return. Dragons with all the running at the moment.

71: 6 more tackles. Benji Marshall's ice finds the posts and the Dragons get another set.

72: Poor pass is taken by Euan Aitken. Dragons lose a lot of ground.

72: Anthony Milford is hammered trying to clean up Marshall's kick.

73: 40/20 BRISBANE BRONCOS
Andrew McCullough kicks a 40/20.
HUGE PLAY. McCullough finds touch. Brisbane with a high chance.

74: Josh McGuire is tackled a millimetre short of the line by Josh Dugan.

74: Great tackle Euan Aitken saves a try from Dale Copley.

75: Sam Thaiday knocks the ball dead trying to gather the ball in. Dragons 20m restart.

76: In front of 13,029 fans the Dragons are only minutes away from a win.

76: Brisbane will start a set 10m out from their own line.

76: Great run by Daniel Vidot puts the Broncos inside the Dragons half.

77: Ben Hunt kicks in goal for Daniel Vidot but the ball travels dead.

77: Brisbane get a scrum after a knock on by Dylan Farrell from the tap restart.

78: Adam Blair is only metres out.

79: Brisbane lose the ball with the line open. Ben Hunt was through but in the collision with Mitch Rein the ball is lost.

80: Peter Mata'utia kicks the ball dead and the Dragons have won.