Dragons leave it late in victory for the ages

Embed from Getty Images

St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters

The St George Illawarra Dragons have capped a turbulent week with a last-second victory to defeat the Sydney Roosters 24-22 in Indigenous Round.

Breaking a six-match losing run which saw Anthony Griffin sacked three days before kick-off, the Dragons produced a try for the ages through Mat Feagai to level the scores before recalled centre Zac Lomax slotted the decisive conversion to the delight of 9,007 supporters at Kogarah.

Beginning life under interim coach Ryan Carr on a positive note with Jack de Belin producing a try-saving tackle on Drew Hutchison, the decision to switch Moses Suli and Lomax to their preferred sides of the field reaped immediate benefits with Suli (8th minute) catching a bomb and streaking 95 metres to open the scoring.

Going further ahead after a high tackle from Billy Smith put the home side on the attack, the Roosters centre endured further embarrassment with a poor defensive effort that allowed Ben Hunt (13th minute) to break through for a four-pointer.

Tempers flared midway through the half after Lomax was placed on report for slamming Corey Allan into the ground, while Victor Radley was fortunate to only receive the same treatment for leading with the head during the ensuing scuffle.

Despite a wealth of opportunities provided by their out-of-sorts opponents - epitomised by Jaxson Paulo throwing a cut-out pass from dummy half to Egan Butcher who ran the ball on the last play - the Dragons were unable to add to their 12-0 tally leading into the change of ends.

Returning from the sheds with renewed intensity despite conceding an early penalty goal, the Roosters clicked into gear with James Tedesco (50th minute) running onto a pass from Brandon Smith close to the line.

Reducing the margin to just two points after Smith kicked early to put the visitors in good field position, Tedesco linked with Luke Keary (53rd minute) following a break instigated by a well-placed pass from club debutant Nathan Brown.

Hitting the front for the first time after Keary (61st minute) fooled his opposite number with a show-and-go, the Dragons returned fire with Jadyn Su'a (72nd minute) getting the green light from the bunker after outmuscling Tedesco close to the line.

The Roosters appeared to deliver the knock out blow after Tedesco (75th minute) stripped the ball from Suli's grasp to claim his second of the night, however the Dragons refused to let another match slip away at the death.

Running the ball on the last tackle before Hunt hoisted a bomb into the air, the Dragons managed to bat the ball back to Tyrell Sloan, who seized the moment with a chip kick that bounced into the arms of Feagai (80th minute) to level the scores at 22-all.

Having been dropped for diminishing form, including a below standard goal-kicking rate, Lomax slotted the conversion from close range to give the Dragons a memorable two-point victory.

Next week, the Dragons will face the Dolphins at Redcliffe on Thursday evening, while the Roosters will have their second bye of the season.