Parramatta target Zac Lomax was one of the few shining lights for St George Illawarra on a wet and wild night in Newcastle.
The Dragons lost 30-10, but Lomax scored an excellent try and produced an even better pass for the Red V’s second at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The hosts completed their sets, which proved the difference on a ground that looked more like Merewether Ocean Baths amid the heavy rain.
The best thing to happen to the Knights was what unfolded a few hours earlier down the road with the Sydney Roosters losing a few players to HIAs, and another couple placed on report. The Chooks head to the Hunter next Thursday.
KEY POINTS
Worth a Zac. Zac Lomax did not let his contract dramas upset his preparations in a handy performance. He scored a try, threw a brilliant behind-the-back pass for Ben Hunt to score the Dragons’ second, and did not look out of place when shifted to fullback early in the second half. Do Parramatta sign him as Clint Gutherson’s No.1 successor, rather than a centre?
Zac Lomax had some nice touches for the Dragons.Credit: Getty Images
Knights’ completion. Newcastle’s ball control was excellent in awful conditions. Possession and field position was always going to take on extra importance in the slush. The Knights were patient. St George Illawarra coughed up too much ball and paid the price.
Slippery when wet. Is it time for the NRL to remove all signage in wet conditions? Bradman Best slammed into an electronic advertising board when trying to score a try. Kalyn Ponga also crashed into an advertising sign when given the gentlest of nudges in the back by Jaydn Su’a. PS: good on the 9884 fans who braved the wet.
WHAT THE COACHES SAID
Newcastle’s Adam O’Brien: The whole performance was really impressive. To travel back from New Zealand and not get back until Monday night, it’s really four days you’ve got to get yourself up to play in conditions like that, which is hard on the body. They did a remarkable job. I’m really proud of them.
St George Illawarra’s Shane Flanagan: They kicked better, they scored three tries off kicks, last-tackle plays, credit to them, they handled [the conditions] better. He [Tyrell Sloan] is a young kid, he needs to learn it’s a tough game, and you need to put your head where people will put their boots. There will be collision, and that didn’t happen for their first three tries. I needed to make a change, and I’m not afraid to [make change].
