The Dragons secured their seventh Knock-On Effect NSW Cup win in a row taking down Penrith 38-6 at Collegians on Saturday.
Injuries forced Willie Talau to trot out a younger line-up than usual with two players making their Knock-On Effect NSW Cup debuts and two earning maiden starting gigs.
David Afu and Ryan Hutchinson, two members of St George’s 2024 SG Ball premiership-winning group, were the debutants with Charlie Heidke and Jarrah Treweek in the run-on side for the first time.
Heidke enjoyed a dream outing crossing for a double and assisting on another in what proved an entertaining afternoon in Figtree.
Match: Dragons v Panthers
Round 15 -
home Team
Dragons
2nd Position
away Team
Panthers
4th Position
Venue: Collegians Sporting Complex, Wollongong
The Dragons took advantage of an early Penrith mistake to nab first points with Sione Finau scurrying over off a textbook, left-side shift to make it 4-0.
They made it 10-0 shortly after with Heidke charging through a hole and showcasing some deft footwork for his first Knock-On Effect NSW Cup try.
A penalty the next set saw the Red V Storm right back onto the attack and Treweek join Heidke in the try-scorers column.
Connor Muhleisen used some nice deception around the ruck to send his second rower crashing over as the lead ballooned beyond a pair of converted tries.
Ben Rumble produced a nice clean-up effort shy of the break to prevent a Panthers try before reeling in the short drop-out to earn possession back for his side as the Dragons kept a first-half clean sheet.
Heidke’s strong afternoon continued early in the second forty with the teenager charging over for his second try off a sweeping Cody Ramsey.
Jonah Glover added the extras for the Red V to make it 20-0.
Talau’s men were tested defensively on numerous occasions midway through the second half, but repeated desperation efforts kept the Panthers at bay.
The wave of pressure eventually managed a result with Preston Riki muscling his way over for the visitors’ first points of the afternoon an hour in.
Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Highlights: Round 15 v Panthers
Heidke could not be kept out of the game with the athletic centre surging into the backfield on an angled run and handing it off to a supporting Lachlan Ilias for a decisive try with 10 minutes to play.
Finau went over for his second off another slick shift to improve the scoring out to 32-6.
Ramsey sent Glover over off a beautifully rehearsed play late to ice the victory and seal his side’s seventh win on the trot.
