On Saturday, March 29, 2025, the St George Illawarra Dragons recorded a hard-fought 14-8 victory over the Melbourne Storm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, marking their first win of the season. The match was a testament to the Dragons’ defensive resilience, as they held off the premiership favorites in front of a crowd of 6,211 fans braving the cold and miserable conditions.
The Dragons, under the guidance of coach Shane Flanagan, were determined to build on their previous successes against the Storm, having defeated them just a few months earlier on August 3, 2024, which snapped a 25-year losing streak against the Melbourne side. This time, the Dragons showcased their grit, particularly in the first half, where they led 6-2 at one point before the Storm rallied to take an 8-6 lead into the halftime break.
Early in the match, the Dragons lost a Captain’s Challenge just two minutes in when Clint Gutherson contested a call that went against them. Despite the setback, the Dragons’ defense held firm against a Storm side that dominated possession and territory, racking up 32 tackles in the Dragons’ 20 meters during the first half.
The Storm opened the scoring with a penalty goal from Tyran Wishart in the 24th minute after the Dragons conceded multiple penalties in quick succession. However, the Dragons responded with a strong offensive play, culminating in a try from Valentine Holmes in the 32nd minute. Holmes, who was playing a pivotal role in the match, sliced through the Storm’s defense off a pass from Gutherson, converting his own try to give the Dragons a 6-2 lead.
Unfortunately for the home side, the momentum shifted as the Storm capitalized on a mistake from the Dragons. Following the kick-off, Christian Tuipulotu dropped the ball, allowing Melbourne to regain possession. The Storm’s persistence paid off when Ryan Papenhuyzen scored a try just before halftime, taking advantage of an offload from Eliesa Katoa to dive over the line. Wishart’s successful conversion sent the teams into the break with Melbourne leading 8-6.
The second half began with both teams trading heavy hits, and the Dragons had an opportunity to level the score early on. However, Holmes’ penalty goal attempt hit the right upright and bounced away. The Dragons continued to press, and their defensive efforts were rewarded when they managed to force a knock-on from Storm lock Trent Loiero, who dropped the ball while attempting to score.
With 19 minutes remaining, Holmes finally leveled the scores at 8-8 with another penalty goal, showcasing his ability to keep the Dragons in the contest. The Dragons’ defense remained resolute, and when the Storm appeared to regain the lead, video officials overturned a try from Katoa due to a mid-air knock-on.
Then, in a decisive moment of the match, Jacob Liddle, who had come off the bench, scored the match-winning try in the 67th minute. Liddle darted out of dummy-half, managing to ground the ball just inches from the line. Holmes converted the try, extending the Dragons’ lead to 14-8 with just 12 minutes left on the clock.
As the game drew to a close, the Storm fought valiantly to find a way back into the match, but the Dragons’ defense held strong. A late challenge from the Storm to score was thwarted by a combined effort from Jaydn Su’A and Toby Couchman, who pushed Xavier Coates back in-goal, sealing the Dragons’ victory.
The match was not without its controversies, as the Dragons found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-1 penalty count during the first half. Luciano Leilua was placed on report for a high shot on Storm halfback Tyran Wishart, and Emre Guler was also reported for a dangerous tackle. Despite these challenges, the Dragons’ ability to adapt and maintain composure was evident throughout the match.
In the post-match reflections, coach Shane Flanagan praised his team’s defensive efforts and highlighted the importance of this win for their season. “We showed a lot of heart today,” Flanagan said. “The boys really dug deep, and it’s great to see them rewarded for their hard work.”
With this victory, the Dragons will look to build momentum as they move forward in the season, aiming to replicate their strong performances against tough opposition. The win against the Storm not only boosts their confidence but also sets a positive tone for the upcoming matches.
As the season progresses, fans will be eager to see how the Dragons can carry this momentum into their next games, hoping for continued success as they aim for a strong finish in the NRL 2025 season.
