A stunning attacking display from St George-Illawarra led to a resounding 42-10 NRL win over premiership favourites Penrith on Saturday evening, with Dragons backrower Joel Thompson crossing for three tries.
The Dragons led 18-4 at halftime on the back of an unstoppable power game, and then put on a show for the 7,283 at UOW Jubilee Oval with a further four tries in the second half.
Skipper Gareth Widdop kicked a perfect seven goals from as many attempts, helping the Dragons pass the Wests Tigers’ 34 points as the highest score of round one so far.
For a side that copped plenty of criticism for their limp attack last season, it also topped their highest score from 2016 when they beat eventual premiers Cronulla 32-18 in round 23.
Penrith simply had no answers for a Dragons pack that strolled through the middle with embarrassing ease, scoring three first-half tries through Thompson and Jack de Belin.
Not even a freakish try to Penrith centre Waqa Blake could prevent the Dragons’ big men steamrolling through the heart of the Panthers defence in the Sydney wet.
Thompson gave returning Penrith pivot Te Maire Martin a torrid time on the Panthers’ right edge, barging over twice in the opening 25 minutes for an early 12-0 lead.
Martin responded with a miracle offload for Blake’s one-handed put-down, but that failed to halt the Dragons’ momentum as de Belin brushed past five defenders to score under the posts.
Of most concern for the Penrith coach Anthony Griffin will be a 36-9 missed tackle count, with second-rower Bryce Cartwright the biggest culprit with seven.
And the home side made the visitors pay for their inept display, putting on an attacking second-half exhibition that ended in two tries for Gareth Widdop and another for Cameron McInnes.
McInnes’ first try for the club was easily the evening’s best, finishing off a 54th minute play that began with Josh Dugan grubbering for himself before producing a cutout pass for McCrone.
Thompson completed his hat-trick late in the game, prompting Dragons coach Paul McGregor to hand promising youngster Jai Field his first taste of NRL action for the final ten minutes.
