St George Illawarra expect to have Ben Hunt for their clash with Newcastle next Sunday, after they played down any concerns over the in-form halfback’s quads.
Hunt was put on ice with ten minutes to go in the Dragons’ 38-12 demolition job on Manly on Friday, raising fears he may be carrying an injury.
But just as Corey Norman stepped up and took control as Hunt battled on, Dragons coach Anthony Griffin ended any serious concern over the halfback’s health.
“He’s just got a really bad cork up the top of his calf. It wasn’t getting any worse,” Griffin said.
“If he had to, he would have played the game out.
“But once we got to a point where we had the game closed out we got him off. He’ll be right with the nine-day turnaround.”
(Matt King/Getty Images)
Hunt is looking a far different player as captain to the man who was relegated to the bench at this point last season and left to play the majority of the year at hooker.
The 31-year-old has already set up six tries this year to go with one of his own against North Queensland last week.
His spine are also going with him, with Hunt clearly looking at home back beside Andrew McCullough and Norman under their former Brisbane coach Griffin.
“They’re all very talented,” Griffin said.
“And the nine, seven and six have a lot of games under their belt, they are really experienced.
“I am really happy with how they are starting to click, they started well tonight.”
A win on Sunday will give the Dragons their first run of three straight since early 2009, while they are also now in the top eight for the first time since then.
They are ahead of the likes of South Sydney and Melbourne on the ladder while equal on points with Sydney Roosters, albeit with an easier draw.
Regardless, it’s a far cry from the side who were labelled wooden-spoon favourites after their Charity Shield flogging from the Rabbitohs.
“I think (the results) are more of an indication of where we are as a team,” Griffin said.
“Against Cronulla (in Round 1), we played well enough to put ourselves in a position to win the game but we beat ourselves.
“The last two weeks we have been learning how to not do that.
“It’s not about critics or expectations from outside. It’s just about improving our football team every week.”
KenW
Roar Rookie
He did. I think Sullivan is available (from injury) this week as well - although there's no reason to think that he's passed Clune in the pecking order
Paul
Roar Guru
good chance to see what young Clune can do. He played some good footy at times last season
Paul
Roar Guru
The Dragons have the bye in round 17 then have Sea Eagles, Titans, Rabbits, Raiders, Panthers, Roosters, Cowboys & Rabbitohs. That's a tough run home, which makes me think they'll struggle to make the finals. Mind you, the Sharks made the finals last year without beating another finals team, so there is hope.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Yep the loss of Hunt for a month is a blow though
KenW
Roar Rookie
It seems a bit silly that they 'appeared certain' to be spooners anyway. There were 4 teams below the Dragons last year - the bottom 2 teams combined wouldn't have passed them on the ladder. Apparently they had dropped below all of these other teams because of a bad trial against an opponent who was unusually slick for February. Don't be so sure they won't make the finals, they're not a top shelf side and will likely have some ups and downs during the season but they're a big chance to be looking for a spot in the dying rounds.
Paul
Roar Guru
I'm very sure they won't make the finals Ken, but equally confident they won't come last, as they appeared certain to do after the Charity Shield & Sharks games. Looks like Hunt has a broken leg so will be out for a fair while. A real shame given he was showing some reasonable form.
Dutski
Roar Guru
:laughing: :laughing:
Dutski
Roar Guru
Yeah I just saw that. Shame for him - he has played good footy this year
JGK
Roar Guru
Spoke too soon. Hunt out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured leg.
KenW
Roar Rookie
A handful of wins on the trot against that level of opposition doesn't make them contenders. But it is a big turn-around on where the Dragons sit in this comp. Previous to the season starting they were considered the team that nobody should be excited about beating. Early days, but the good thing with the Dragons so far is that they've got better each week. The Sharks game had comically bad errors and handling (the one were they had no one even trying to get to dummy half!), but they still had the game in the balance late in the 2nd half. The Cows game was clunky, and still a bit suss on the errors but they toughed it out. Yesterday was a controlled and measured performance, handling was decent and they kept the pressure on all game, never getting loose even when the scoreboard got lopsided. So anyway, happy as a Dragons supporter because they're graph is swinging the right way at the moment rather than worrying too much about finals chances in round 3.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Yeah I did a double-take on that one too. Definitely 2019.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Knights probably won’t have to do much more than dribble into the in goal near Dufty all night and pick up the inevitable...
danwain
Roar Rookie
The form is somewhat tempered by how bad the eagles and cowboys were, but winning a few games can do wonders for confidence. Expectations were so low that anything other than a wooden spoon is considered decent, to actually see the club building for the future would be a good season.
Paul
Roar Guru
Stop the comp! The mighty Dragons are in 5th. :shocked: The Knights, Eels, Warriors then the Roosters, should be a good measure about just how much this good form is real or a smoke screen. I thought before the season started the guys would finish 9th at best and still believe that, but they need to win at least 2 of these games to end the season that high. That probably sounds strange being so early in the season, but the players have shown a real talent in recent years, for dropping their heads when they lose a few games back to back. By the way, isn't Zac Lomax a good 'un?
JGK
Roar Guru
A win on Sunday will give the Dragons their first run of three straight since early 2009, while they are also now in the top eight for the first time since then. Pretty impressive effort to win the Premiership in 2010 having not been in the Top Eight. :stoked:
Randy
Roar Rookie
Dragons vs Knights next week is shaping up to be a cracking game.
The Sports Lover
Roar Rookie
Gee it’s great to read an optimistic analysis around the Saints.
danwain
Roar Rookie
Haven’t won 3 straight since 2009? Think that is meant to be 2019....