Defence takes a backseat as Dufty delivers

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St George Illawarra Dragons v Brisbane Broncos

A man of the match performance from Matt Dufty has seen the St George Illawarra Dragons demolish the Brisbane Broncos 52-24 at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium.

Producing five try-assists and crossing for two of his own, the Dragons fullback was in superb touch in a contest that saw Jack de Belin return to the NRL for the first time since 2018.

Chasing their first win at Kogarah since 1998, the Broncos got off to a great start with Albert Kelly putting in an early kick that allowed David Mead (7th minute) to outpace Mikaele Ravalawa to the ball.

Responding with a try to makeshift second-rower Jack Bird (12th minute), the Dragons hit the front after a short pass from Bird allowed Brayden Williame (21st minute) to streak 30 metres to the line for his fourth try of the season

In a match where both teams capitalised upon errors, TC Robati (26th minute) raced into a gap created by Kelly to cross for his first try in the top grade, before the duo combined to send Robati (30th minute) over for his second a few minutes.

Striking back through Gerard Beale (33rd minute) to level the scores up at 18-all, a costly error from Jamayne Isaako allowed Matt Dufty (40th minute) to put the home side in front at the change of ends after Corey Norman backed his fullback's pace with a kick from a scrum.

Building pressure during the opening stages of the second half, the Dragons wasted little time in capitalising on Robati being sent to the sin bin with Cody Ramsey (45th minute) producing an acrobatic finish to score out wide.

Putting the result beyond doubt with de Belin and Dufty combining to send Josh Kerr (50th minute) over, a superb cut-out ball from Dufty allowed Ravalawa (58th minute) to use brute force to power over the top of Mead.

Ben Hunt (64th minute) heaped further misery on his former club with a solo effort, before a grubber from Tyson Gamble produced a consolation effort for Jesse Arthars (71st minute).

Taking the score beyond a half century in the shadows of fulltime, a chip kick from Hunt allowed Dufty (77th minute) to race away for his second to the delight of a small, but vocal, crowd of 5,107 supporters.

Next week, the Dragons will face the Bulldogs at Stadium Australia on Queen's Birthday Monday, while the Broncos will travel to GIO Stadium on Saturday evening to face the Raiders.