Match Details
Match Date	11th Jun, 2018
Opponent	St George Illawarra
Result	Loss 16-18
Coach	Dean Pay
Captain	Josh Jackson
Venue	Homebush (ANZ Stadium)
Crowd	21,376
Referee	Matt Cecchin Tim Roby

For a tiny fullback known for his blistering attacking displays, it was a copybook covering tackle from pint-sized No.1 Matt Dufty that helped the Dragons scramble back to the top of the NRL ladder.

An unconvincing St George Illawarra looked like they would rack up a cricket score against the struggling Bulldogs after a frenetic first 10 minutes, but had their little attacking weapon and a State of Origin prop helping in pursuit to thank for squeezing past Canterbury at ANZ Stadium on Monday.

Faced with Marcelo Montoya tearing downfield in the final minutes with the Dragons clinging to a two-point lead, Paul Vaughan harassed Will Hopoate in support allowing Dufty to drag Montoya into touch in what proved the game’s pivotal play.

Quipped Paul McGregor after celebrating a win in his 100th NRL match as coach: “Who said [Dufty’s] not known for his defence? I’d like to wrap Paul Vaughan to be honest with you because he’s the bloke that chased from the inside and forced the bloke to the sideline.

“Vaughany, to chase someone 30 or 40 metres, and put Duft in that position to make the tackle ... it was really good. For Duft to make that tackle was outstanding too. The pair of them there are what teams are about. It was a moment we needed and a changing moment for the game.”

And as the Dragons barely cleared the Panthers on top of the NRL ladder – they’re ahead of the mountain men by just one point on for-and-against – it was a similar frustrating tale for the Bulldogs who lost another cliffhanger.

Missing Kieran Foran with a toe injury, they staged a furious late rally after hitting the lead early in the second half but couldn’t ride inspired performances from Vaughan’s NSW front row teammate David Klemmer and Dragons old boy Brett Morris.

“It’s been a number of games this year that have been very close, but we haven’t got the result,” Bulldogs coach Dean Pay said. “I just thought the first 20 minutes killed us.

“I thought the 60 minutes after that was fantastic footy, as good a footy that we’ve played all year. For one reason or another we started slow and it got away from us a little bit. The start of the first half just wasn’t good enough.”

Pay stressed Tigers-bound Moses Mbye and prop Aaron Woods were “at this stage” still staying in the Belmore kennel for the remainder of the season, but they will have little more motivation than pride and avoiding a wooden spoon to play for.

It’s a far cry from what the Dragons will be chasing come September as McGregor incredibly made the first switch to his starting 13 all season so consistent his side has been. Kurt Mann replaced Jason Nightingale on the right wing with the latter coming on for the final seven minutes.

The Dragons looked in cruise control after establishing a 14-6 lead at the break, set up by early tries to NSW fringe dwellers Euan Aitken and Tariq Sims, who was 18th man for Brad Fittler’s Blues last Wednesday night.

But back-to-back Canterbury tries to start the second half – the first set up by Morris and second one scored by the longtime representative winger – changed the complexion of the game.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

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