The St George Illawarra Dragons achieved a stunning upset victory over the Melbourne Storm, claiming a 14-8 win on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Kogarah Oval. This marked the Dragons' first win of the season and ended the Storm's unbeaten start. In a match characterized by wet and wild conditions, the Dragons' defense was the cornerstone of their success, holding off the Storm's star-studded lineup.
Despite entering the match with a disappointing 0-2 record, the Dragons showed resilience, particularly in the second half. After trailing at halftime due to a try from Ryan Papenhuyzen, the Dragons rallied to take control of the match. Interchange hooker Jacob Liddle became the hero, scoring a crucial try in the 69th minute to give the Dragons the lead.
Valentine Holmes opened the scoring for the Dragons in the 34th minute, but the Storm quickly responded with a try from Papenhuyzen just before the break, which gave them an 8-6 lead. The Dragons had let narrow games slip away in their first two matches, but this time, they capitalized on their opportunities.
"I think that will be the most positive thing," said Dragons hooker Damien Cook, praising his team's defensive effort. "[Melbourne] are one of, if not the best side of the competition … to beat them gives you a lot of confidence."
The game was not without controversy. The Storm had a potential try from Eliesa Katoa denied by the Bunker due to a knock-on, a decision that left many questioning the ruling. The Dragons' defense, led by Jaydn Su’A and Toby Couchman, was instrumental in thwarting the Storm's attempts to mount a comeback.
Meanwhile, in the afternoon's other match, the North Queensland Cowboys hosted the Canberra Raiders. The Cowboys were looking to bring smiles to a flood-ravaged Queensland in their 30th season. At 31 minutes into the match, Cowboys halfback Jake Clifford scored after capitalizing on a dropped ball by Raiders fullback Kaeo Weekes. This was a significant moment as it marked the Cowboys' second try of the game.
Just before that, the Raiders had taken an early lead with a penalty goal from Jamal Fogarty, making it 8-0. However, the Cowboys quickly retaliated with a try from Murray Taulagi, who scored after another mistake from Weekes, who has struggled with errors in recent games.
In the first half, the Raiders' captain Joseph Tapine scored a try, showcasing his strength and ability to break tackles. However, Tapine's day took a turn for the worse as he was put on report for a chicken-wing tackle, adding to the Raiders' growing list of disciplinary issues.
As the match progressed, the Cowboys' Scott Drinkwater nearly crossed the line but dropped the ball just short, a moment that could have shifted the momentum in their favor. The Cowboys' defense had to hold firm against a relentless Raiders attack, but they managed to keep the score competitive.
In the closing stages of the game, the Cowboys fought hard to regain the lead, but the Raiders held on for a narrow victory. The combination of errors and missed opportunities haunted both teams, but the Raiders managed to secure the win, continuing their strong start to the season.
With the Dragons finally breaking their losing streak, co-captain Clint Gutherson expressed the need to build on this momentum. "It's only round four - we can't get too carried away," he said. "We've gotta build on it, and we've got a big couple of weeks coming up so we'll look forward to that."
As the NRL season progresses, both the Dragons and Cowboys will look to capitalize on their respective performances, aiming to improve their standings and build confidence as they head into the next rounds.
