Cronulla Sharks hold off St George Illawarra Dragons

The try would have sent the Dragons to the lead for the first time, but instead the call went Cronulla’s way and they went straight down the other end to score back-to-back tries through Ronaldo Mulitalo and Will Kennedy to ice their fourth win in the local derby in the last five matches.

The clubs had been central to the Cameron McInnes saga over summer, the Dragons skipper walking out on the Red V to join the Sharks on a four-year deal from 2022 after St George Illawarra put off contract talks.

McInnes walked into Kogarah on his lonesome on Sunday night, on crutches and his knee in a brace after his ACL tear. If he wanted affirmation about which club will be a better chance of playing finals in the future, he got it.

Griffin won’t want to make a habit of walking into the sheds at half-time trying to find the right words to inspire a fightback, but here he was again. Given St George Illawarra’s struggles in recent years, the club’s directors might have even asked him to audition during the interview process.

Somehow, it could be argued St George Illawarra’s defence wasn’t too bad in the opening stanza despite trailing 14-0.

Both tries they conceded were a result of failing to mop up low kicks in the greasy conditions, the first when captain Ben Hunt almost tripped over an exquisite Chad Townsend grubber allowing Josh Dugan to swoop and Tariq Sims spilled a Kennedy kick.

Matt Dufty was involved in the match’s biggest flashpoint when he was clocked with a high shot from behind by Jesse Ramien which earned the Cronulla centre 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Dufty couldn’t hide his displeasure at being dragged from the field for a concussion test after a melee between both sets of players.

Loading

Whatever Griffin said at the break, he might want to bottle.

The Dragons were a different team in the second half, profiting from a mix-up between Kennedy and Mulitalo which allowed a Hunt rain-maker to bounce for Adam Clune to slide over.

Then the contest was right back on when Dufty burst onto a Hunt pass inside his own half and stood up Kennedy for a devastating try which dragged the hosts to within two points.

Yet that was as close as they got, proving Griffin and the Dragons are still a long way from where they need to be.

CRONULLA-SUTHERLAND SHARKS 32 (Will Kennedy 2, Josh Dugan, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Aaron Woods tries; Chad Townsend 6 goals) defeated ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS 18 (Adam Clune, Matt Dufty, Mikaele Ravalawa tries; Zac Lomax 2 goals)at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium. Referee: Peter Gough.