Ben Hunt underscores tag of favoritism in NRL Dally M . race

Ben Hunt pulled off another masterclass as the Dragons beat the Sea Eagles before the Roosters returned to the last eight thanks to a big win over Newcastle.

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St George Illawarra Dragons 20 def Manly Sea Eagles 6

Ben Hunt has revived St George Illawarra’s NRL season, scoring two tries to help the Dragons to a crucial 20-6 win over Manly.

In a virtual four-point play for both teams, Hunt crossed twice in the first half to lead the Dragons to a 14-0 lead at the break at the Kogarah Oval.

Spoiled by COVID-19 and having lost two more players to injury just before halftime, the Sea Eagles scored early in the second half to threaten on the counter-attack.

But they could not capitalize on better possession in the second half, leaving the Sea Eagles on the verge of being knocked out of the last eight.

The Dragons’ win came the same week pressure was mounting on coach Anthony Griffin, amid unhappy dressing room claims.

But they now find themselves at 9-9 with six rounds to play and just sitting out of the finals with points for-and-against.

And Hunt was in the middle of it all on Friday night after the Saints lost defender Cody Ramsey to a knee injury.

The Dragons midfielder scored the first try of the game when he slipped in wet near the line before breaking through the Manly defence.

The next try came in a more conventional fashion, running into the brilliant grubber of Talatau Amone.

And while Hunt’s try-scoring prowess puts Dragon on the road to victory, his kicks and game management are just as important.

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Leader Dally M when voting took place behind closed doors last month, Hunt forced a four-line dropout from his own shoes in the wet.

Blake Lawrie also had a big night for the Saints in midfield, making five tackles in one of his best games of the season.

Jack Bird helped put the icing on the cake for the Saints, sending Mat Feagai to seal the match at the last second.

While Hunt takes control of the Dragons, Manly’s clumsy attacks with locks Jake Trbojevic, hooker Lachlan Croker and second rower Andrew Davey go all-out with COVID-19.

They also lost Ben Trbojevic to a concussion in the first half and Sean Keppie to a shoulder injury before coach Des Hasler’s tough night capped off when goalscorer Josh Aloiai limped off with a knee injury late in the game.

Their dangerous right edge was barely effective when Haumole Olakau’atu injured his ankle early in the game and when he played he lacked his usual destructive power.

AP

Sydney Roosters 42 against Newcastle Knights 12

The Sydney Roosters have put themselves firmly back in the NRL final race with eight attempts to crush the Newcastle Knights 42-12 at the Newcastle Stadium.

After suffering four straight defeats, the Roosters now have 96 points in two games after a 54-26 humiliation against St George Illawarra a week ago.

And Trent Robinson’s men did it against the Knights by fielding three key players Joey Manu and forwards Sio Taukeiaho and Sitili Tupouniua, all of whom were injured in the last half.

But when you have James Tedesco in your line-up, it doesn’t seem to matter how many players are missing.

The NSW Origin captain ran 304 meters from 21 runs, made three break lines, two try assists, 10 tackle-busts and scored a goal for himself as the Roosters returned to the last eight.

For Adam O’Brien’s men, this was not a happy night.

It was Newcastle’s third defeat in a row, conceding 40 points or more each time. They also took 73 minutes to cross the Roosters line.

Despite two consolation attempts by Phoenix Crossland and Edrick Lee, the Knights’ best moment came in the third minute when Tyson Frizell, a back rower, brought down defender James Tedesco from behind to save a try.

The showdown between Tedesco and Origin’s opposing defender, Kalyn Ponga, was supposed to be one of the highlights of the match — but it only lasted seven minutes. An outstretched left arm by Matt Lodge sent Newcastle’s number one into the turf and then headed off for scoring.

It was Ponga’s second game back for his club after being sidelined for two weeks with a concussion and fifth in total for the season.

Anthony Milford moved from five-eight to fullback and Crossland came off the bench into the section.

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In the second half Knights center Dane Gagai was sent off to back-chat referee Peter Gough with the Roosters scoring three attempts to snuff out the Knights’ chance to return.

Ponga’s penalty gave the Knights the first point of the game, but then a goal-scoring attempt by the Roosters spearheaded by Joseph Suaalii and Tedesco swung strong for the visitors.

They led 16-2 at half-time after scoring three attempts in 15 minutes.

First man Luke Keary, returning after a month out with a concussion, completed a 60-yard run started by former Knight Connor Watson in the 16th minute.

Nine minutes later Tedesco put Suaalii on for his 11th try in 13 games. The 18-year-old then returned the favor six minutes later by catching Sam Walker’s shot and setting down Tedesco.

The Roosters did not give up in the second half. It was just seven minutes when Keary’s corner found Daniel Tupou at 196cm to score.

Then Suaalii scored his second from quick hands from Tedesco and Paul Momirovski inside.

Not to be outdone, Tupou scored his second from a superb Tedesco corner.

Angus Crichton and Egan Butcher added to those wins, maintaining the Roosters winning streak over the Knights that now stretches back to 2012.

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