The St George Illawarra Dragons were defeated 36-20 by the Brisbane Broncos at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Friday.
The Red-and-Whites took to the field wearing black armbands in memoriam of Gerard Beale’s grandmother who recently passed away.
The Red V crossed the line twice in the first half and second half with winger Jason Nightingale going over twice.
Head Coach Steve Price made several changes to the starting line-up with Dragons prop Jack Stockwell returning to the field in lieu of Dan Hunt who sat out the game with a knee injury.
The home side came out strong against the Broncos breaking their defense in the fifth minute to see Frizell cross the line only to be held up in goal.
The visitors were quick to answer with lock Matt Gillett crossing the chalk to put first points on the board in the seventh minute.
Broncos Captain Corey Parker successfully converted to take them to 6-nil.
It took the visitors only three minutes to go over again, with Gillett getting another four points to take their lead to 10.
Parker took the kick from 20 metres successfully converting taking their score to 12 with the Dragons yet to score.
The 14th minute saw Dragons halfback Sam Williams kick cross-field to the western edge to see winger Jason Nightingale ground the ball to put first points on the board for the Red V.
Dragons five-eighth Gareth Widdop attempted conversion from the western edge but found the upright to leave scores at 12-4.
In the 18th minute Broncos forward Sam Thaiday fought his way across the line to give the visitors a comfortable lead.
Parker kicked the conversion successfully to give the Broncos a 12 point lead.
After five minutes of running back and forth the length of the field, a Dragons scrum ten metres out gave Brett Morris the opportunity to score his 102nd NRL try.
Widdop successfully converted from the eastern touch line in the 28th minute to shrink the gap 18-10.
The 30th minute saw Brisbane fullback Ben Barba kick the ball in to Nightingale’s hands who ran 50 metres to give the Dragons an advantage.
Brett Morris knocked a Widdop kick back in the field of play giving centre Gerard Beale the chance to put another four points on the board but was unable to ground the ball.
The opening seconds of the second half saw the homeside come out with a bang with Dragons centre Dylan Farrell putting in a chip kick to send Nightingale over for his second try of the match.
Widdop took the kick to successfully convert closing the gap with scores at 18-16.
The 45th minute saw Broncos prop Todd Lowrie crash through the Dragons defense and give them a six point advantage.
Parker extended the lead when he successfully converted from 20 metres out.
It was a battle of defense for the following 15 minutes until the visitors broke the Dragons line to see Broncos centre Dale Copley give them a 12 point lead.
Parker put his kicking finesse on show when he successfully converted to take the Broncos to 30.
Dragons fullback Adam Quinlan broke the lull in the 65th minute when he ran the ball 40 metres before it found its way to Beale before being grounded.
Widdop attempted to convert from the western sideline but was unsuccessful when the ball swung wide to leave scores at 30-20.
The 72nd minute gave the visitors the chance to extend their lead when Broncos halfback Ben Hunt crossed the line to put four points on the board.
Parker successfully converted to extend the visitors’ lead to 36-20.
St George Illawarra Dragons 20 were defeated by the Brisbane Broncos 36.
St George Illawarra Dragons 20. Tries: Nightingale (2), Morris, Beale. Goals: Widdop (2/4).
Brisbane Broncos 36. Tries: Gillett (2), Thaiday, Lowrie, Copley, Hunt. Goals: Parker (6/6).
