Just when St George Illawarra’s much maligned spine finally clicked into place, captain Gareth Widdop’s troublesome shoulder has done the opposite.
Dragons coach Paul McGregor’s celebrations over a drought breaking 25-24 NRL victory over Brisbane were cut short by confirmation fullback Widdop had suffered a dislocated shoulder in the dying moments.
For the third time in seven months, England international Widdop is facing time on the sidelines nursing a damaged right shoulder after landing awkwardly in the dramatic final minutes of the round three clash.
To add insult to injury, Widdop spilt the ball near his own line when he went down injured before Brisbane centre Jack Bird pounced to lock up the scores 24-all with a 73rd minute try.
The Dragons still emerged victorious after playmaker Corey Norman nailed a last gasp field goal but their first win of the season was still a bittersweet moment for McGregor.
The St George Illawarra coach had copped heat over his new-look spine after switching Widdop from five-eighth to fullback to slot new recruit Norman into the halves with Ben Hunt.
It finally came together against Brisbane, only for disaster to strike again for Widdop’s troublesome shoulder.
He damaged the same shoulder in round 22 and again in the elimination final against Brisbane at Suncorp Stadium last season.
“Unfortunately we lost Gaz. It is bad. I’m not a doctor but he’s uncomfortable. It’s dislocated,” McGregor said.
“You don’t ever want to see your captain and your playmaker, who has been the best player at the club for a number of years, laying on the bench with a dislocated shoulder.
“It is sad and it is part of the game we don’t enjoy.”
McGregor’s only consolation was that he had Matt Dufty up his sleeve.
It caps a dramatic turnaround for Dufty who had become the odd man out in McGregor’s new-look spine.
After Dufty was relegated to the bench in the first two rounds, the former Dragons fullback missed out on the 17 entirely against Brisbane when McGregor opted for young gun Zac Lomax on his interchange.
“We have got a ready-made replacement in Dufty,” McGregor said.
The Dragons coach had some joy when former Parramatta playmaker Norman stepped up with 12 seconds left on the clock to kick the match-winning field goal.
“Corey is one of those players that goes to the game in important moments, and that is what you want from your playmakers,” McGregor said.
