St George Illawarra were overrun in the final quarter on the Gold Coast, falling 22-14 to the Titans at Cbus Super Stadium.
The Red V were leading 14-6 heading early in the second half before two tries to Titans backrower Arama Hau helped the home side to their first win of the season.
Hau sliced through on the right side for a 48th minute try and did the same again in the 75th minute to wrestle the game away for his side.
Match: Titans v Dragons
Round 4 -
home Team
Titans
16th Position
away Team
Dragons
17th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Kyle Flanagan suffered a serious head injury and was stretchered from the field with 20 minutes to play. The Dragons five-eighth was taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
“He’s been taken to hospital, he was out unconscious for a few minutes, so that’s a big concern, but he’s rang his mum and rang his wife, and they are taking him for precautionary X-rays,” Coach and father Shane Flanagan said.
“He’s got feeling in his legs and movement, and all that sort of stuff, so let's just hope he’s ok, but being unconscious for that long period of time is a bit of a concern, isn’t it?”
It was the fourth time this season the Dragons let a lead slip and is the first time since 2020 the club started a season with four losses.
“It’s really, really frustrating. I know that I’ve got a group of players that can get it done, but we are just not getting it done for 80 minutes,” Flanagan added.
The Dragons dominated the early possession but couldn’t get enough value for their efforts.
Into the side for the first time this season, Tyrell Sloan wasted little time before getting his name in lights, finishing off a slick shift to the right in the fourth minute.
Gifted possession in the redzone via a Keano Kini spilt bomb, the Dragons showed their intent by getting across the line with their first chance. Valentine Holmes nailed the sideline conversion for a quick 6-0 lead.
NRL Match Highlights: Round 4 vs. Titans
But just as it appeared the visitors would extend the advantage, Titans winger Phillip Sami latched onto a Holmes pass and sprinted 90 metres the other way for the intercept try and 6-6 scoreline.
Kini’s troubles under the high ball continued in the 26th minute, allowing the Dragons to once again take the lead. The Titans fullback dropped a Daniel Atkinson bomb into the waiting arms of Hamish Stewart, and the Gerringong junior quickly passed outside for Damien Cook to score.
Holmes slotted the extras and the Dragons led 12-6. It was a scoreline they maintained until the halftime break, but not before the bunker overruled a try for A.J. Brimson right near halftime thanks to a Beau Fermor obstruction.
Holmes slotted a penalty goal in the 45th minute to push the lead to eight, but the Titans came home the stronger of the two sides.
NRL Press Conference: Round 4 vs. Titans
