MONDAY STORY:
WILL Matthews went a long way to cementing a place in the St George Illawarra Dragons pack after his powerful performance in the 12-10 win over Brisbane Broncos on Friday night.
The boy from Kyogle and former Gold Coast Titans forward stirred the crowd at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah.
One of his hardest-hitting tackles was on Broncos prop Sam Thaiday.
Matthew broke his hand in the Charity Shield draw with premiers Souths and then had to fight his way back through the NSW Cup, playing for the Illawarra Cutters.
Tyson Frizell’s two-week suspension gave the 27-year-old his chance on Friday night.
Coach Paul McGregor has plenty of selection options and the return of British prop Mike Cooper, who scored the match-winning try against the Broncos, gives further starch to the pack.
Jack de Belin, the fearless running interchange forward, made an impact.
The Dragons, with five straight wins, are second on 10 points; Melbourne Storm is in front with 10 points on percentages.
The Dragons tackle the Sydney
Roosters on Anzac Day, April 25, at 4pm at Allianz Stadium.
Dragons 12 (Etonia Nabuli, Mike Cooper tries, Gareth Widdop 2 goals) d Brisbane Broncos 10; crowd: 13,029.
FRIDAY STORY:
St George Illawarra Dragons made it five wins in a row defeating competition leader Brisbane Broncos 12-10 at Jubilee Oval, Kogarah on Friday night.
Before a noisy and partisan home crowd the Dragons led 6-4 at halftime and withstood a brave Broncos to win 12-10.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor has moulded the team into a combative and disciplined unit with 10 competition points after seven rounds.
The five straight victories after losing their opening two rounds has served notice that the Dragons are a definite top eight standard team in 2015.
English prop Mike Cooper, who got a late call up to replace interchange forward George Rose just before the match, scored the try to put the Dragons in front late in the match as he barged over.
Cooper joined the Dragons last season from Warrington and made a solid impact.
He missed the Dragons win over Canterbury last week with a hamstring strain.
At the fulltime siren the Dragons crowd burst into harmonious song with a stirring rendition of Oh, When The Saints, Go Marching In, with the faithful clapping and cheering loudly.
The Dragons next play Sydney Roosters on Anzac Day at 4pm at Allianz Stadium.
Winger Etonia Nabuli scored the team's opening try in what was a tight and tough first-half footy.
There were light showers early in the second half which made handling somewhat difficult at times in greasy conditions.
The Broncos hit the front during the second half when Shen prop Sam Thaiday crashed over and the converted a try by lock Corey Parker putting the visitors ahead.
But Mike Cooper's determined try converted by fellow Englishman Gareth Widdop made the final score 12-10.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, was returning to his old stamping ground, but this time in charge of the Queensland club.
Bennett coached the Dragons for three years from 2009-2011 including winning the grand final in 2010.
The Big Red V team have won both clashes between the Dragons and the Broncos at Kogarah.
