Dragons break drought with crushing win

The monkey which had turned into an ape was flung from the back of St George
Illawarra as the Dragons crushed the Sydney Roosters 32-8 to claim the joint
venture's first NRL premiership at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.
Ending a 31-year wait between drinks since the last Dragons title - and a 12-year
barren run since the formation of the joint venture with Illawarra - the red and
whites destroyed the Roosters with a second half avalanche after trailing 8-6 at the
break.
The win enhanced Wayne Bennett's standing as the game's greatest coach - the man who
is already the most successful with seven premierships - now completing the last
task on his list of things to do with a title for two different clubs.
The win also erased the pain of last year's finals fade-out - the Dragons the most
dominant side in the competition over the last two years finally with something to
show for it as they emerged victorious after five grand final losses since their
last title in 1979.
The Dragons were down at the break after a pair of dubious decisions went the way of
both sides.
While they had plenty of reason to feel aggrieved later in the half, the Dragons
were the first to benefit from unfathomable refereeing calls when touch judge Jeff
Younis missed Brett Morris putting both feet into touch in a raid down the left
flank.
On the next play with the Roosters retreating, Soward put in a pinpoint cross-field
kick which Mark Gasnier reeled in - his mid-year return from rugby union seemingly
all worthwhile as he touched down just inside the dead-ball line.
The cheers of the thankful red and white faithful soon turned to jeers however when
the Roosters scored twice in the space of four minutes to claim the lead by the
midway point of the half - their first four-pointer with more than a touch of doubt.
After another Dragons error - one of ten in the first half - Todd Carney put up a
high kick which Joseph Leilua collected, the teenage winger then losing the ball as
he planted it on Soward's leg in attempting to score.
But video referee Bill Harrigan deemed play-on as Braith Anasta put his hand on the
rolling ball for a remarkable try.
The red and whites were rattled and it was no surprise when a Beau Scott fumble on
his own 30 metre line allowed Mitchell Aubusson to make it 8-6 as he barged over out
wide, Carney's inaccuracy with the boot keeping the margin tight.
Another Dragons choke loomed, but mastercoach Wayne Bennett got his troops refocused
at the break, the minor premiers coming out for the second stanza a different side
as they ran in four answered tries.
A repeat set early set the tone as Darius Boyd - the most influential player on the
field - put Jason Nightingale over for his first, his second on the hour mark
putting the Dragons out by more than a converted try.
The swagger was back as the joint venture pressed hard, Dean Young crashing over
despite the hint of a knock-on, the proud Dragon pointing to the badge on his jumper
his father wore when he captained the last Dragons side to win a competition in
1979.
With Soward lining up for a field goal to put the icing on the cake, Nathan Fien
instead celebrated a stunning return to the paddock from a badly broken ankle
earlier in the year to kick-start celebrations for the patient Dragons fans.



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This email is intended for the use of the addressee only. If you receive this email
in error, please delete it immediately. This email may contain information which is
confidential and/or legally privileged. You must not use or disclose the contents of
this email, or add the sender's email address to any database, list or mailing list
unless you are expressly authorised to do so. The statements or views expressed in
this email are those of the individual sender and are not those of Australian
Associated Press Pty Ltd (AAP). These statements are not binding on AAP, except
where the sender expressly and with authority, states them to be. AAP is unable to
review the contents of all the email on its system. To the extent permitted by law,
AAP disclaims all liability for any loss or damage caused by the contents of this
email. www.aap.com.au