The Wests Tigers have come away with a 13-point win to press their finals claims and cast further doubt over the Dragons’ hopes of playing in September.
St George Illawarra started strong early nabbing an early try through Kurt Mann who scored off an Adam Quinlan try assist.
Gareth Widdop soon put the Red V in front by 8 with a penalty goal in the 10th minute before David Nofoaluma struck for the Tigers.
The Campbelltown junior scored after Kevin Naiqama drew in Euan Aitken to send his winger over unmarked.
Chaos ensued as Leeson Ah Mau was put on report for a high shot on Tim Grant leaving the forward unconscious before Jordan Rankin kicked a penalty goal.
Almost immediately after Luke Brooks found a gap in a poor defensive line to walk through and score.
The Wests Tigers continued their onslaught with Nofoaluma busting the line and passing to Tedesco, the fullback scoring under the posts.
The Red V went into the break down by 10 points needing an inspired effort in the second half.
Taane Milne came close to drawing first blood in the final term only to be called back after Tariq Sims impeded Luke Brooks. An obstruction was ruled.
The momentum continued to go the way of Wests with Josh Aloiai scoring in the 58th minute off a Mitchell Moses short ball before Jordan Rankin extended their lead to 16 points with a penalty goal.
The Dragons refused to give up with a 67th minute try to Adam Quinlan after a gut-busting run from Taane Milne however, it wasn’t enough with Mitchell Moses kicking a field goal to seal the deal and give his side a 13-point win.
Milne was a standout for the Dragons in a strong backline while Jack de Belin, Tariq Sims and Mike Cooper put in a big effort in the middle of the park.
Mitchell Moses led the way for the Wests Tigers with David Nofoaluma heavily involved as well as Aaron Woods, Dene Halatau, Josh Aloiai and Ava Seumanufagai.
They face a tough task with the Eels next Saturday while the Bulldogs will host the Dragons on Friday night.
Possession: 17% – 83%
Completions: 28/37 (76%) – 31/41 (76%)
All Runs: 173 – 159
All Run Metres: 1594 – 1540
Line Breaks: 3 – 6
Offloads: 22 – 13
Tackles: 320 – 317
Missed Tackles: 23 – 40
Penalties: 7 – 9
Errors: 10 – 10
3 – Mitchell Moses
2 – Ava Seumanufagai
1 – Taane Milne
Final score
St George Illawarra Dragons 12
Wests Tigers 25
You can find Riley on Twitter @rileypettigrew
Jacko
Guest
Time to look at another no 6 for the Dragons. PLEASE. Marshall has been out enough to show that its not him leading to the losses so give someone else a shot with Marshall
steveng
Roar Rookie
You can twist any fact and make it look good, that is what Taylor is trying to do with Farah's dismissal, Taylor is trying to get blood out of a stone and he will use any excuse. The Dragons never looked like beating the Tigers last night. Benji was good and the Dragons did try their hardest, but didn't have the guns. Lets see how the Tigers pan out against their next opponents the Eels, Cowboys, Titans, Panthers, Warriors and the Raiders, which will be a test that is more appropriate to giving the Tigers a wrap if they come out of their remaining draw with a 50% record.
JohnnoMcJohnno
Roar Rookie
I couldn't help thinking crap defence had more to do with it then anything else.
Jacksyd
Guest
Great to see the halves play with full control without Farah there to choke them. I couldn't help thinking the first try the tigers scored had a lot to do with that.