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St George Illawarra have staked their claim on the 2018 premiership win defeating last year’s premiers the Melbourne Storm 34-14. The Dragons are now firm premiership frontrunners, only dropping one game this season to the equally impressive New Zealand Warriors.
Although the Dragons only scored four tries to the Storm’s three, it was the laser sharp goal kicking of former Storm 2012 premiership player, Gareth Widdop that made all the difference to the game. Widdop kicked nine from nine, a tremendous effort.
(AAP Image/Action Photographics, Robb Cox)
But the Storm’s ill discipline was a large factor to the Dragons’ success. Five of Widdop’s nine from nine came from penalty shots at goal due to the Storm’s continued infringement of the rules.
The Dragons made the Storm pay for their mistakes which easily got them the win. The Storm need to get back that disciplined edge if they are to succeed further in the competition.
It’s clear that new recruits James Graham and Ben Hunt are working out better than what was expected. With all the impressive wins that the Dragons have had the year, beating the Broncos 34- 12 in Round 1, destroying the Titans 54 -8 in Round 3, smashing the Sharks a second time 40-20 in Round 6 and now besting the Storm, if they keep this form up their season will not be unlike their 2010 season.
The last time the ‘RED V’ won the premiership in 2010, they completely dominated the season. Winning 17 out of the 24 played games the Dragons ended the season 4 points clear of their nearest rivals the Penrith Panthers.
In the finals the easily defeated Manly and had a close one with the Tigers to enter the grand final to easily beat the Roosters 32-8.
2018 could be history repeating itself for the Red and White army as they have easily taken care of the last real threat to their claim to the 2018 premiership. Watch this space, the Dragons are coming!
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