St George Illawarra had been hoping to be celebrating their legendary back-rower and Immortal Norm Provan with a win but it surely was a star Penrith ahead in his one hundredth NRL sport who stole the present in a 20-16 victory for the premiers.
Viliame Kikau helped himself to 2 first-half tries at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium earlier than the Dragons virtually chased the Panthers down, with a late attempt to Zac Lomax establishing a frantic remaining 4 minutes.
The pre-game festivities had been devoted to Provan, who handed away final October, with the western grandstand at Kogarah named in his honour.
The same tribute might be held on the subsequent Kogarah sport for an additional Dragons Immortal, Johnny Raper who died in February.
Nonetheless, on Friday it was Kikau that was in his ingredient.
He made the shock journey to Sydney by his Fiji-based household for his one hundredth NRL sport worthwhile, charging down a Ben Hunt kick within the tenth minute to run 40 metres untouched.
His second attempt was trademark Kikau, when he charged onto the ball on the left edge to barge over for a attempt.
The Dragons produce other worries than merely making an attempt to repair unfastened execution.
Hooker Andrew McCullough might be on the sidelines for an prolonged interval after dislocating his left elbow.
He had a untimely finish to his 2021 season with a critical ankle harm final August.
Each side loved five-try spherical one wins, however by halftime in spherical two it appeared their would solely stay one undefeated facet,
The Panthers scooted out to a 20-6 lead, scoring two tries whereas Dragons ahead Jaydn Su’a was within the sin bin for a late sort out on half Sean O’Sullivan.
The sort out was pretty innocuous however O’Sullivan wanted remedy by a coach and h was then compelled off the sphere for a concussion evaluation, as a result of intervention of the NRL-appointed physician within the bunker.
The one brilliant spot for St George Illawarra was 19-year-old fullback Tyrell Sloan scoring a effective attempt as he flew via the air to gather a Hunt kick.
The second half introduced some worrying harm information for each side.
McCullough was helped off together with his arm harm earlier than Panthers winger Brian To’o limped off with a left ankle criticism.
Prop James Fisher-Harris did not return after the break on account of a head knock.
The Dragons saved probing with a wealth of possession and Su’a scored down the proper edge.
Then deja-vu for the Dragons.
Lomax was then despatched tothe sin bin for an obstruction however, in contrast to the primary half, they did not give up any factors whereas a person down.
With the Dragons looking for a means via the Panthers defence, Jack Hen was ordered from the sphere by the unbiased physician.
Tariq Sims made his return to first grade after taking part in within the NSW Cup final week, whereas George Burgess may come below the match evaluate committee microscope for late and excessive contact on Jarome Luai.
Penrith head to Bathurst subsequent spherical to tackle Newcastle whereas the Dragons meet native rivals Cronulla in Wollongong.