St George Illawarra overcame Francis Molo being sent off to kick clear of Gold Coast 46-26 on a sunny afternoon in Wollongong.
Molo’s dismissal in the 62nd minute, earned through a horror high shot on Patrick Herbert, was a rare moment of defensive intensity in a game defined by how poor both teams were in the tackling department.
There was a strong end-of-season feeling about the whole affair. Neither side is able to make finals, and on this showing, it isn’t hard to see why: both seemed to consider tackling optional and combined for a series of poor errors.
When outbreaks of quality occurred, it was hard not to see them as enabled by the poor line speed and decision-making of the Titans’ defence. They managed to concede three tries, scoring none, against the 12-man Dragons.
“Our season has been a little bit like that,” said Anthony Griffin. “We have always had a challenge or an obstacle to get over, and today was one of those days.
“I was really proud of what they did with 17 minutes to go. It was going to go one way or another once Frank got sent off. They chose to tough it out and scored three tries to nil.”
Ben Hunt and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui were, as ever, excellent, while Tautau Moga grabbed a hat-trick and Junior Amone showed a few flashes, adding two tries to the three he scored last weekend in Canberra.
Both sides suffered badly from injuries: the Dragons lost Andrew McCullough and Moses Mbye in the first 20 minutes, while the Titans had two players depart with concussions in Philip Sami and Herbert.
“We want to play and we’re disappointed with the way we finished today,” said Justin Holbrook. “We got within striking distance and then just made way too many errors when we got the ball.”
The Titans lost Sami in the opening moments to a head knock and found themselves almost immediately behind, as Amone touched down after a dubious offload from Zac Lomax.
The Gold Coast struck back through AJ Brimson, before Moga put the Dragons back ahead. They then lost McCullough and Mbye to injury, reducing their bench to just two with more than an hour to play, but edged further in front with a superb team try on the right for Mat Feagai.
Jayden Sullivan got another through horrendous defending, but the Dragons proved just as guilty themselves, allowing David Fifita to cross. The scoreboard was rattling along, with the Titans able to reduce the gap further on the stroke of half time via a penalty goal.
St George Illawarra got the first of the second half with Jack Bird scoring, but Beau Fermor struck back after a long, chaotic passage of play.
Amone got his second through a pathetic attempt from Jarrod Wallace and to crown a stellar ten minutes for the art of tackling, the Dragons attempted a short dropout that landed in Titans hands and got Jojo Fifita over.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
Molo was then dismissed, ending Herbert’s game and his own season in the process, with a long suspension undoubtedly incoming.
Not that you would have noticed who was a man light: the Gold Coast twice conspired to look like it was them a man light, allowing Moga in for the second and third of his set, before Bird was allowed to catch a crossfield kick untouched and finish a high-scoring afternoon.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Just watch a replay of the 87 Grand Final, yards. Clifford in his prime. That young Clifford for the Knights will surpass the original Clifford. Just without the durries. And the moustache. And he doesn't have a Beaver
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
How the Mighty have fallen. I’m not looking forward to the game against the Raiders this weekend. Never thought I’d have to say that, but these times require it.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Hard I watched a replay of that Parra -Manly game back in May. Man that was some game. Lightning fast. Loads of ball movement. Quick ruck speed. They ain't the team they were then that's that's sure
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Manly are a team of buffoons at the moment. Terrible.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Yeah, but I wouldn’t call my team of Manly exactly first rate either. A team of blokes from my Bowlo could beat them.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Why have one of them when you can have all of them? The more players you have, the more chance you have of winning. It's a mathematical certainty
andrew
Roar Rookie
Hey CC. Interesting bunch of players there. :laughing: In all seriousness, there's not one of them that I would want at Saints.
andrew
Roar Rookie
It defies belief that Griffin can't see Saints lack of speed whenever Mcullough is on. He's just too slow. Griffin's cut price bargain frenzy of signing unwanted players has proven disastrous.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
The dragons winning by too many is a cruel fate, Robbo. You can't be expected to pick that
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Yeah but it was only Manly
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Director of Mediocre Performance
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Kevin Naiquama, Suaaso Sue, Aidan Tolman, Ryan James, Herman Ese Ese, James Roberts, Joey Leilua, Shaun Johnson, Sharon Woods, the Fifita boys (David and Andrew) Loads of experience there.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Tony Holbrook. Play in the middle you say? A hooker at the Saints you say? I think you're onto something.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
I meant the Titans. Qld only require one side too shoot themselves in the foot each year,and NSW can be banked on to do that, so Hagan is needed elsewhere to do Mal's job for him.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
for Qld or the titanics - or are they interchangeable?
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Kinda like his position as 'head coach' for Qld. I see an assistant director of high performance position opening up for Michael Hagan.
Bernie
Roar Rookie
as long as its not Epson salts, which if following the dragons gives the same result. agree with you though; add a good 9 & a mongrel prop and see what happens.
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
There has to be a way, he looks to have regressed at the Titans, probably for want of having playmakers around him good enough to bring him into the game. I don't think there's any point in expecting him to be a workhorse, leave to the players who can't do what Fifita does.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yes, that could be very interesting, especially if the Broncos get rolled by Parra. Given I live in Brisbane and know plenty of Broncs supporters, I'd enjoy knocking them off (and maybe out of the finals) immensely.
KenW
Roar Rookie
I'm a perennial optimist so take this with a grain of salt - but there is an outline of a good team in there. The backline is fresh and young - the only guy over 25 is Hunt (who's going OK). I can look at Ramsay, Rava, Lomax, Suli, Feagai x2, Amone and think each one has some good seasons ahead. The forwards will also get something of a refresh next year with McGuire & Sims moving on, and surely McCullough too. The 2 Molos, Lawrie, JdB, Su'A & Bird are all at least decent 1st graders - what we do with the 9 jersey is the key there. Maybe Sullivan is the answer until Hunt moves on.