Written by: Ian Nelson

The St George Illawarra Dragons have beaten the Newcastle Knights, and in doing so ended the year of the Parramatta Eels.

The Knights came out firing, and were the first on the board with a tough Peden try, leading 6 – 0 before the unthinkable happened. Andrew Johns coped an accidental knee from Dragons prop Bailey in the back ending his game, and possibly his season.

So with Johns off to hospital with a suspected broken bone in his back the Dragons turned it on in attack scoring three quick tries to lead 14 – 6. The Knights struck back thanks to some dropped ball by the Dragons going into the break only 2 points down.

The second half saw both sides throw the defensive book out the window and play some razzle dazzle football. Unfortunately it also meant lots of dropped ball, but with both sides trading tries the game was far from boring. Riddell played out of his skin, controlling the Dragons attack with some classy and powerful displays. Barrett and Thompson played great supporting roles for the Dragons. Whilst Tahu, Morris and Kennedy all shone for the Knights and kept them in the match right up till the final minute.

The Knights future will depend on if they get Johns back next week, if they don’t and the warriors win tomorrow, a show down with the Roosters will certainly end their season. The Dragons aren’t without their problems, Bailey was cited for the knee to Johns, and Riddell could find himself in hot water after a spear tackle on Knights lock Bill Peden.

Best on Ground

1 – Mark Riddell ( Dragons )
2 – Trent Barrett ( Dragons )
3 – Timana Tahu ( Knights )

Knights 22 - Dragons 26
Scorers:KnightsTries: Peden, Woolnough, Tahu, Bailey. Goals: Abraham 2/2, Peden 1/2, Johns 0/1.DragonsTries: Smith, Thompson, Barrett, Clarke, Riddell. Goals: Riddell 3/5.

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