 The St George Illawarra Dragons have helped their chances of finishing the 2005 Telstra Premiership as minor premiers after knocking off the Parramatta Eels 25-22 at Oki Jubilee Stadium this afternoon.
The win puts the Dragons in equal second with the Eels and just two points behind the Broncos, who today suffered a shock loss to Penrith. With a bye next week and final round encounter with the last placed Knights at home, the Dragons are more than a chance of winning the JJ Giltinan Shield.
According to coach Nathan Brown, the minor premiership is the furthest thing from his sides mind.
"No not really, we're just happy to be cementing ourselves in the top four", said Brown.
"We'd like to finish in the top two though because you get that bonus of if you win your first game you get the week off, so we can watch everyone knock themselves around."
Buoyed by a record breaking crowd of 17523 which included their number one ticket holder, Prime Minister John Howard and mad Dragons fan Morris Iemma (NSW Premier), the Dragons were forced to hold off a second half surge from Parramatta, after the home side lead 19-6 at the break.
Despite the half time lead, Brown knew the Eels were capable of a comeback, so he was relieved his side handled the pressure.
"Yeah, we knew they'd come back definitely", said Brown after the match.
"Their a quality side you know, their in second and have been in second for a while now and we made a fair few back to back errors which didn't help things, but the good thing is now we can regain control and get ourselves back in the contests."
The win is the Dragon's sixth on the trot, but after a tiring last few weeks which has included trips to Townsville and Brisbane, Brown said the bye next week couldn't come at a better time.
"We've had a hard three weeks and the boys deserve a bit of a spell", said a relieved Brown.
"Just like every team, we have guys with bumps and bruises, so the week off will do them good."
Dragons captain Trent Barrett agreed with his coach, feeling the extra week will give them time to revise their form.
"We still have plenty of things to work on and we've got two weeks to work on them now", said the number 6 who's form is looking more and more ominous every week.
Along with Barrett, Luke Bailey was worth his weight in gold and Ben Creagh looked dangerous early until he was helped off the field late in the first half with a shoulder injury.
Both sides traded tough sets in the opening 20 minutes with side refusing to concede an inch. It was the Dragons though who were looking far more hungry.
After the Dragons received a penalty 40 metres out, Bailey took a quick tap which took the Eels by surprise. On the next ruck , Barrett hit Lance Thompson on the chest only ten metres out and with the defence back peddling, the red head crashed over to register his sides first points of the afternoon. Michael Ennis converted for a 6-0 lead.
Now with momentum, the Dragons crossed for their second try of the afternoon just seven minutes later.
It was Barrett once again who was the catalyst.
Only ten metres out, Barrett dummied and poked his nose through the front line of Parramatta's defence. The number 6 then popped a beautiful offload to Ashton Sims who dived over, showing great urgency to back up his captain.
Ennis converted again for 12 point advantage.
Just five minutes later the lead was extended to 18 when Clint Greenshields planted a Ben Hornby grubber underneath the sticks.
Needing the stem the flow fast, Parramatta got themselves on the board just minutes before the halftime break. After receiving a penalty just short of the Dragons line, the visitors took a quick tap and Fui Fui Moi Moi crashed over to score. Burt converted from in front to trail by 12.
With moments remaining in the half, Barrett slotted home a field goal from 30 metres out.
The second half started in very similar fashion to the first.
In what was an enthralling battle, both sides intensity levels were grand final-esk.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, Parramatta struck.
Deep on the attack, a mint Tim Smith inside ball found a rampaging Nathan Cayless who crashed over the stripe. Burt converted to reduce the margin to seven.
Just four minutes later Nathan Hindmarsh ran off John Morris to cross out wide and before the bumper crowd knew it, their side lead by only 19-16.
In what was turning into a topsy-turvey affair, the side who held possession at the right end of the field, inevitably got points. With 17 minutes on the clock Jason Ryles put his side up by nine. In a similar play that put Hindmarsh in earlier, Barrett threw a short ball on the chest of Ryles from close range and the front rower did the rest. After six or seven looks at the put down by Ryles, video referee Greame West awarded the try. The four pointer looked to have the Dragons home for the afternoon.
Former Dragon Mark Riddell then inspired his side to set up a try that set up a grandstand finish. With nothing happening for the visitors, Riddell spotted a gap whilst in possession 40 metres out from the home sides line. Showing brut force, the hooker busted through the line then sprinted down field. Gripping the ball in one hand whilst at full pace, Riddell then lassoed the ball back on his inside to Brett Delaney who scored in his debut first grade match. Burt converted to make the score 25-22 with six thrilling minutes left.
With all in attendance on the edge of their seats, including the P.M, who's transfixed gaze resembled one of the same intensity more suited to the first day of an IPEC summit, the Dragons gallantly held on.
ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 25 ( L Thompson, A Sims, C Greenshields, J Ryles tries; M Ennis 4 goals, T Barrett field goal) d. PARRAMATTA EELS 22 ( F Moi Moi, N Cayless, N Hindmarsh, B Delaney tries; L Burt 3 goals) at Oki Jubilee Stadium. Crowd 17 523. Referee Paul Simpkins.
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