Playmaker Gareth Widdop scored 16 points as St George Illawarra moved into a share of the NRL premiership lead with a 32-18 victory over Canberra at WIN Stadium on Sunday.
The Dragons made it seven wins from eight games with a five-tries-to-three win to complete the home and away double over the Raiders this season.
St George Illawarra had the best defensive record and worst attacking stats heading into the round 10 clash but both teams were dangerous with the ball with the defences stretched.
The Dragons led 20-6 late in the first half but tries either side of the break – to Raiders interchange forward Shannon Boyd and then Queensland Origin hopeful Josh Papalii – cut the deficit to 20-18.
Former Raider Joel Thompson scored from a Gareth Widdop kick to ease the nerves of the home side before Benji Marshall collected a perfect grubber kick from the impressive Widdop to score and make it 32-18.
Man of the match Widdop finished with 16 points from a try and six goals.
Widdop scored the opening try and was involved in three others, while Marshall also scored a try, made a crucial 40-20 kick leading to a first half score and laid on the Widdop try from a great kick.
The Dragons, Storm, Broncos and Cowboys share the premiership lead on 14 points, while the Raiders (10 points) remain in the top eight.
Dragons fullback Josh Dugan and backrower Trent Merrin, who are both likely to be included in Laurie Daley’s NSW side named on Tuesday, had quiet games from the Dragons but made it through unscathed.
The Dragons have the round 11 bye, while Canberra are at home to the Bulldogs next Sunday.
Canberra skipper Jarrod Croker was denied a dream start in his 150th NRL game with a try contentiously disallowed in only the second minute by the video referees.
Croker was adjudged to have made a double-movement after being held onto by Tyson Frizell as he attempted to score.
It was a tough call against Canberra, with referee Ben Cummins telling a disbelieving Croker it was a “touch and go” ruling.
A minute later Widdop scored the opening try and from a 20-12 halftime lead the Dragons scored two of the three second half tries for an impressive win.
Ken
Guest
We've got a few options, they just haven't been getting a go because of the clean run the top side has had. Keating is there as a half/hooker backup - never going to be a superstar but plenty of experience, Shannon Crook hasn't played first grade but has plenty of wraps as a star half of the future. Runciman and Glymin are both great prospects that can't get a run in the backline. O'Brien, Nutira & Rose were hailed as the supposed fix to Saints forward power problem and would be itching for a run. Garvey and Hutchinson could slot in for a hooker spot. With the side winning and nobody falling over injured, none of these blokes are getting a chance but all of them are legit first-grade chances. Hopefully it doesn't work against us later that none of them have had a run in the first half of the season.
Ken
Guest
There were actually 2 seemingly over-the-top interpretations that got carried through that game - double-movements and cannonball tackles. The first was the double-movement issue, I though the Croker 'try' would have been allowed since he kept some momentum, although I can understand the argument that he was on the ground, with the ball touching the ground and a tackler on top of him so he was tackled. If they came clear and said that is the way they will interpret all tackles/double-movements from now on I'd actually be OK with that. Of course, when they called Nabuli back as tackled, when he hit the ground metres beyond the 'tackler', that was probably a ridiculous admission that they thought they got it wrong earlier and were applying a nonsensical square-up. The other weird interpretation was the cannonball tackles, immediately before Canberra's first try, Creagh was penalised for tackling around the hight of the ball carriers bum. Up to now cannonball tackle penalties have been limited to guys spearing in at the knees of stationary players. That penalty got them back in the game. This one also got a later square-up when a Raider (can't remember who) got penalised for similar. Are these new interpretations? Or were they just consistently silly in the game because of the first decisions they made?
Ken
Guest
Great ball runner, frustrating to watch sometimes though, his hands let him down a bit and Nightingale is catching a cold outside of him. He's also not great with body positioning in tackles meaning he often gets driven backwards and sideways towards sidelines and trylines. Most of that should clear up with a bit of experience, he certainly knows how to break a tackle already. He could be very good.
Superstar superhuman
Guest
One thing that concerns me as a dragons fan is injuries. We have next to no depth in key positions. One injury to Marshall Widdop or Dugan would ruin us. But we're playing at full strength at the moment and I'm loving every minute of it!
Doc79
Roar Rookie
Apart from the double movement decision and the what ifs that go with it, I thought the forward tussle was tight but the saints backrowers were good on the fringes while the kicking game of widdop was the main difference. I won't write off the raiders and look forward to sam williams coming back into the halves.
The eye
Guest
The Croker double movement shocked me..a 12 point turnaround..you dont need to be held anymore to constitute a tackle apparently..
The Koomz
Guest
After yesterday, its safe to say the Saints will be marching on into September. Special mention on Euan Aitken, nobody new the kid at the start of the year but I guess Mary as a former center knew the kid's potential. I rate Frizell and Thompson as the second best second row pairing behind Proctor and Harris, just ahead of Cordner and Guerre.
AJL.
Roar Pro
Shillington is off contract and hadn't played first grade in 2015 until yesterday. Given the interest in Tamou, it looks like Stuart is after another prop.
jamesb
Guest
Mary is simply getting the best out of his players. Players like Rein, Thompson and Frizell are all in career best form. Benji is now a consistent player while Widdop,as a halves partner, compliments him to a tee. I also think they have the right centre pairing in Euan Aitken and Peter Mata'utia. Initially, I thought Mary was a Steve Price clone. So far he is proving me wrong and I hope it continues that way.
zim
Guest
I think at the moment shillo is getting in purely on experience. I don't think he'll be at the raiders next year but as far as this year goes he needs at least a few games to find some form before his play can be judged. Austin, Croker and Wighton all had sub-par games. Mitch Cornish's kicks were generally off the mark too. Not sure if it is a pressure thing or not as he definitely plays better in NSW cup. Dragon's halves played all over ours.
MJB
Guest
Not really. It wasn't as good as their earlier streak performances but it was still better than Canberra of old. Certainly Austin, Croker and Wighton have probably botched their chances of earning a sneaky call up for Origin 1, but I'm sure they'll be back to form. Hate to say it, but Ricky needs to do to Shillington what he did to Campese. The guy is past it.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Mary is right in the hunt for coach of the year honours with what he is doing so far.... I think the dragons are over achieving when you look at their roster and if they can keep it up for the rest of the season - the coach of the year award is his. They were very clinical yesterday.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
I'm a big fan of Widdop and Marshall. I just think they are a good and potentially better combination. Would be great to see Widdop excel later this year in the Test series against New Zealand.
Charles NSW
Guest
How wonderful to see the Dragons back on track with the halves showing what they are made of. McGregor is doing a great job with this team with quite a number looking for rep duties.
zim
Guest
There was also the momentum killing knock on by Croker after we got back to 20-18. The raiders dropped their heads after the follow up try. You'd be silly to write them off after losing away to a top 4 side.
sham
Guest
Possibly but I am not writing them off yet. What really let them down was the way they almost always put no real pressure on the kickers. When Benji got his 40/20 he had an eternity of time. Wighton was criticised for being out of position but Benji had so much time he could pinpoint his kick. Three of the Dragon's tries came from kicks which reinforces my point. The Dragons has had a much better kicking game but if you have oodles of time to kick it makes it easier.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Beginning of the end for Canberra. A soft draw will act as the only parachute on their freefall.