Liddle stands tall as Dragons seal shock win over Storm
St George Illawarra have taken advantage of a directionless Melbourne to claim a 14-8 win and end the Storm's unbeaten start to the 2025 NRL season.
Saturday's victory - the Dragons' first of the campaign - was a dour and ugly affair, which hung in the balance until the final quarter of an hour.
Interchange hooker Jacob Liddle burrowed his way over the line in the 69th minute to send the 6211 rainsoaked crowd at Kogarah Oval into a frenzy.
The Dragons had let narrow games slip from their grasp in the first two rounds of the season, falling to Canterbury and South Sydney before last week's bye.
But Liddle's dummy-half barge-over was enough for the Red V to edge past an unconvincing Storm.
Lids barges over! 🔴⚪️#BreatheFire #NRLDragonsStorm pic.twitter.com/n6XrFS9Wn7
— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) March 29, 2025
Without halfback Jahrome Hughes, Melbourne struggled for fluency in attack and their all-star spine struggled to hit top gear.
Craig Bellamy's side had 46 play-the-balls in the Dragons' 20m zone but their sole try was scored by Ryan Papenhuyzen just before halftime.
Papenhuyzen's four-pointer came after stand-in Storm halfback Tyran Wishart had kicked a penalty goal to open the scoring for the visitors.
Valentine Holmes crossed the first try of the afternoon in the 34th minute before Papenhuyzen gave Melbourne an 8-6 lead.
Gutho links up with Val Holmes! 🐲#NRLDragonsStorm pic.twitter.com/PSDqrkd0GD
— NRL (@NRL) March 29, 2025
Melbourne had chances to score but Shawn Blore and Eli Katoa both fumbled the ball as they looked to pull away.
After missing an earlier penalty goal from right in front, Holmes drew the Dragons level in the 62nd minute with a straightforward kick to send the game down to the wire.
Liddle was the hero from close range as the hooker shrugged off some lax Storm defending to give his side the lead.
Holmes added the extras to give the home side a six-point buffer which Melbourne could not overcome.
Bellamy's men face an unenviable away trip to Manly next week and will desperately need to refine their attack if they are to trouble the Sea Eagles.
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