A hat-trick by Fijian powerhouse Mikaele Ravalawa has inspired St George Illawarra’s 28-16 win over the Warriors in their NRL season opener on the Sunshine Coast.
The Dragons had lost their last eight games of last season, and their last nine in Queensland, but managed to get the win over a Shaun Johnson-inspired Warriors team.
The Dragons started the game at Sunshine Coast Stadium breathing fire, only for returning prodigal son Johnson to help the Warriors take the lead 16-14 early in the second half.
However, wrecking ball Ravalawa sealed his hat-trick with back-to-back tries in the 57th and 66th minutes.
When one of the Dragons’ six prized recruits on display on Saturday — ex-Queensland Origin utility Moses Mbye — crashed over in the 74th minute, after a bust by exciting fullback Tyrell Sloan, Griffin was breathing easy.
The Dragons’ 2021 finals chances slipped through their grasp in the fallout over a now infamous team barbecue.
But now there are encouraging signs after notching the win without Tariq Sims (calf), Jayden Sullivan (hamstring), Josh McGuire and Tyrell Fuimaono (both suspension) and George Burgess.
They built on a strong pre-season which featured wins over Parramatta and a Charity Shield triumph over South Sydney.
Recruits Mbye, Aaron Woods, Queensland forwards Jaydn Su’A and Francis Molo, Moses Suli and Jack Gosiewski all impressed in their official Dragons club debut.
The only concern for Griffin would have been Woods limping off in the 64th minute with a suspected hamstring injury, along with his side’s mid-game lapse.
The Dragons looked set to run away with it when they led 12-0 after 15 minutes as Sloan set up two tries.
The Warriors came roaring back off some magic from Johnson ,who was appearing in his first game for his beloved Kiwi outfit since 2018.
The Warriors cut the halftime deficit to 14-10 after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (20th minute) grubbered for himself to score before Johnson combined with lock Josh Curran to send Wayde Egan over 11 minutes later.
In the second half, Johnson threatened to turn the match on its head when he booted a monster 40-20 after Ravalawa tried but failed to tap back his kick.
Three tackles later the Warriors took the lead when back-rower Eliesa Katoa scored off a suspected forward pass from Johnson in the 48th minute.
But Ravalawa — and the Dragons — finished strongly as the Warriors were subjected to their fourth straight loss stretching in the NRL.
Warriors skipper Addin Fonua-Blake was placed on report in the 23rd minute for an alleged crusher tackle.
KenW
Roar Rookie
I've been in some of those arguments too. It's been a dry decade - for some it's easier to assume hopelessness and then be pleasantly surprised later! Next week though is a tough assignment, the defending premiers, who have been the most impressive team of round 1 by a significant margin (unless the Dogs or Cow massively surprise) I think Ramsay has been very strong in preseason and game 1. Definitely cemented his position in the short term. Up to this point though his time in first grade was pretty ordinary, he looked like a weak link and easy to monster. A few extra kilos on his frame and a bit more confidence from his experience have done wonders though.
UAP
Guest
I am quietly confident St George will do well this year. I was called ignorant and lacking intelligence the other day by saying that St George are a chance to make the 8 this year. The criticism is bizarre and comes from Saints own supporters ?? I have noticed Ramsay also gets his fair share of criticism from Tony aka BB and his band of merry men ( currently on holiday somewhere in the Pacific ) Although Ramsay didn't get a hat trick I was impressed with his efforts and good enough to warrant his continued position in the side.
KenW
Roar Rookie
I'm a pretty optimistic guy, but I can't form any cohesive argument against them starting next week as rank outsiders. Still, stranger things can happen in this game. Overall though I agree, it's really taken me by surprise how they've been rated so poorly this year. Couldn't quite believe it a few weeks ago when they were equal favourites for the spoon.
Robbo
Guest
Suli did look good in 2nd half - a couple ofctimes he would have been hard to stop but didn't get the ball. Might have been guilty of being a bit lazy a couple of times. Sunny Coast was a great place to watch the match and good opportunity for fans to get up close. Saints fans easily outnumbered NZ ones - we always get a good crowd
Jimbo
Guest
I think most people have underestimated the Dragons for this season. A very big forward pack & backline for the most part. Quality youngsters & a good overall roster, with all the buying. With Hunt to lead them around, allowing the likes of Sloan to just do their thing. Could be anything this season? An overall very good record against Penrith at home & having such a large pack of forwards. Could easily win their next game.
KenW
Roar Rookie
It was a long way from a polished performance, but was good to get the 2 points. Most winners this week would say the same thing though, I think the only team that can claim a truly impressive performance so far is Penrith, and perhaps the Knights. As a fan was very pleased to see the way the Dragons responded after the Warriors comeback. The first 2 tries resulted from NZ taking advantage of some poor individual defensive decisions, the forward pass try being allowed after that would have been excruciating. To have lost a decent lead to that passage of play could easily have seen them drop their heads. Instead they rallied and scored 3 more tries of their own to take it comfortably.
UAP
Guest
Agreed good start for the Saints. They are in with a chance next week. Far from a polished performance but this team has more potential than last years side. The silence from the naysayers this morning has been interesting.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Re forward passes, i lost count of the number i saw during the Broncos v Rabbitohs game. Glad to see the tunnel ball style play the balls being pulled up. Good start for Saints, next week will be the acid test.
Dan
Roar Rookie
I agree, the Warriors threw a bunch of them. That ref needs to pick up his act though, he was rubbish. Good to see Sua got stuck in, he is a great pickup. Suli had a shocker in the first half but he looked like he sorted it out in the second. This Tariq to the storm rubbish has to be a great up. I’d be bringing him of the bench and get rid of Gosiewski. That blokes defence is appalling.
Robbo
Guest
It was good to see some 'line-ball' forward passes get called out in this game, although Warriors still scored off one. The other games prior I have noted several forward passes out of dummy half. The sooner the ball has GPS the better