Dragons Halves Emerge Unscathed Despite Painful Encounters
St George Illawarra are breathing a collective sigh of relief after their crucial halves pairing, Daniel Atkinson and Kyle Flanagan, appear to have dodged serious ankle injuries. Both playmakers soldiered on through significant pain during the Dragons’ recent loss to the Melbourne Storm, raising immediate concerns for the Red V faithful.
The double scare unfolded within a frantic minute just before halftime last Saturday night. In similar incidents, both Atkinson and Flanagan fell victim to tackles where a tackler’s weight landed heavily on the back of their legs. While the nature of the contact was deemed not to be a hip-drop tackle, the impact was enough to cause considerable discomfort.
Initially, the club had scheduled scans for the pair on Sunday to thoroughly assess the damage. However, following assessment, the Dragons’ medical staff now believe that neither player requires imaging. Both Atkinson and Flanagan reportedly pulled up well from the gruelling 46-20 defeat, a positive sign for their immediate playing future.
Coach Shane Flanagan acknowledged the concerning nature of the incidents. “They weren’t hip-drops, but the weight did land on the lower legs, so it’s a bit of a scare,” he commented. “Both got treatment at halftime and got their ankles strapped, but they are two tough young men and knew it was important we didn’t lose a half.” This resilience and commitment from Atkinson and Flanagan underscore their importance to the team’s structure and game plan.
With no other significant injuries reported from the Wollongong clash, the St George Illawarra hierarchy is anticipating both Atkinson and Flanagan will be fit and available to take on the Parramatta Eels next Sunday. This news provides a much-needed boost for a club that has faced its share of challenges this season.
Attack Shows Promise, Defence Falters
Despite pre-season concerns about the Dragons’ attacking capabilities, the team demonstrated flashes of brilliance in the opening stages against Melbourne. In fact, the attack was far from their biggest issue, as the Dragons managed to surge to an impressive 20-18 lead.
Daniel Atkinson, in his second outing in the pivotal No.7 jersey, offered numerous positive signs. His playmaking was evident, highlighted by a spectacular spiral cut-out pass that led directly to Valentine Holmes’s first try of the match. The combination between Atkinson and Holmes proved fruitful, with the halfback also instrumental in setting up Holmes for his second try, showcasing effective interplay and well-timed runs.
However, the positive momentum was ultimately undone by a significant drop in performance in the latter stages of the game. Coach Flanagan did not shy away from expressing his disappointment regarding the team’s inability to maintain their advantage. The Dragons completed a mere two sets in the final 20 minutes of the match, a statistic that proved costly.
This lack of sustained possession allowed the Melbourne Storm to capitalise ruthlessly. The visitors ran in five tries during the final quarter, with Storm fullback Sua Fa’alogo proving particularly destructive. Fa’alogo’s individual brilliance tormented a tiring Dragons defence, and he was responsible for an impressive three tries himself, illustrating the impact of sustained pressure and missed opportunities.
“Offence isn’t our problem. It’s the other end, holding the ball and defending,” the coach lamented. He further elaborated on the self-inflicted nature of the defeat, stating, “Storm didn’t do a lot. There was some individual brilliance by the fullback. It was what we did to ourselves.” This candid assessment points towards critical areas for improvement in defence and ball security for the St George Illawarra side as they prepare for their next challenge. The ability to close out games and maintain defensive structures under pressure will be paramount for the Dragons to build on their promising moments and secure victories.
