A battered and bruised St George Illawarra has pulled off an Anzac Day boilover, with a courageous Ben Hunt helping the Dragons stun the Sydney Roosters 14-12 at the SCG.
The win came at a cost for the Dragons, however, with Jack Bird (suspected broken arm) and Jaydn Su'A (leg) both injured.
Down to 15 players just after half-time, the Dragons rolled out a clear plan to protect their 14-0 half-time lead while often handing the ball over on the last tackle without kicking.
Crucially, they were able to back their defence, which had previously been the worst in the NRL over the opening six rounds.
The Dragons held on for several sets on their own line and let the Roosters through just twice, with the majority of the final 20 minutes played at their end.
And while the Roosters struggled to trouble the Dragons in the first half, they put themselves back in the match at 14-12 with 10 minutes to play through tries to Sitili Tupouniua and James Tedesco.
Then it was Hunt who stood up as captain, earning the Ashton Collier Spirit of Anzac Medal.
In the dying minutes, he took a crucial run out of dummy half as the Dragons battled to get out of their own 20-metre zone.
Two plays later, he booted a 40-20, finally giving the Saints field position for the first time in more than 20 minutes.
And just when it looked as if the Roosters could steal it in the final minute when Daniel Tupou broke down the left touchdown, Hunt batted down his pass and saved the day.
Hunt had earlier been influential in both of the Dragons' tries, putting Francis Molo between Tupouniua and Siosiua Taukeiaho for his team's first.
He also put up a kick for the Dragons' second, helping Su'A go over after Paul Momirovski spilled it under pressure from Zac Lomax.
Lomax was also brilliant for the Dragons, coming up with defining plays for the second straight match.
The result marked the Roosters' third loss of the year and their first on Anzac Day since 2018, while the Dragons have won two straight after breaking a four-match losing streak.
AAP/ABC
