NRL: Dragons fly to claim NRL crown

Jason Nightingale of the Dragons scores a try. Photo / Getty Images

The monkey which had turned into an ape was flung from the back of St George Illawarra as the Dragons crushed the Sydney Roosters 32-8 to claim the joint venture's first NRL premiership at ANZ Stadium in Sydney tonight.

Ending a 31-year wait between drinks since the last Dragons title - and a 12-year barren run since the formation of the joint venture with Illawarra - the red and whites destroyed the Roosters with a second half avalanche after trailing 8-6 at the break.

The win enhanced Wayne Bennett's standing as the game's greatest coach - the man who is already the most successful with seven premierships - now completing the last task on his list of things to do with a title for two different clubs.

The win also erased the pain of last year's finals fade-out - the Dragons the most dominant side in the competition over the last two years finally with something to show for it as they emerged victorious after five grand final losses since their last title in 1979.

The Dragons were down at the break after a pair of dubious decisions went the way of both sides.

While they had plenty of reason to feel aggrieved later in the half, the Dragons were the first to benefit from unfathomable refereeing calls when touch judge Jeff Younis missed Brett Morris putting both feet into touch in a raid down the left flank.

On the next play with the Roosters retreating, Soward put in a pinpoint cross-field kick which Mark Gasnier reeled in - his mid-year return from rugby union seemingly all worthwhile as he touched down just inside the dead-ball line.

The cheers of the thankful red and white faithful soon turned to jeers however when the Roosters scored twice in the space of four minutes to claim the lead by the midway point of the half - their first four-pointer with more than a touch of doubt.

After another Dragons error - one of ten in the first half - Todd Carney put up a high kick which Joseph Leilua collected, the teenage winger then losing the ball as he planted it on Soward's leg in attempting to score.

But video referee Bill Harrigan deemed play-on as Braith Anasta put his hand on the rolling ball for a remarkable try.

The red and whites were rattled and it was no surprise when a Beau Scott fumble on his own 30 metre line allowed Mitchell Aubusson to make it 8-6 as he barged over out wide, Carney's inaccuracy with the boot keeping the margin tight.

Another Dragons choke loomed, but mastercoach Wayne Bennett got his troops refocused at the break, the minor premiers coming out for the second stanza a different side as they ran in four answered tries.

A repeat set early set the tone as Darius Boyd - the most influential player on the field - put Jason Nightingale over for his first, his second on the hour mark putting the Dragons out by more than a converted try.

The swagger was back as the joint venture pressed hard, Dean Young crashing over despite the hint of a knock-on, the proud Dragon pointing to the badge on his jumper his father wore when he captained the last Dragons side to win a competition in 1979.

With Soward lining up for a field goal to put the icing on the cake, Nathan Fien instead celebrated a stunning return to the paddock from a badly broken ankle earlier in the year to kick-start celebrations for the patient Dragons fans.

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 32 (J Nightingale 2 N Fien M Gasnier D Young tries J Soward 6 goals) bt SYDNEY ROOSTERS 8 (B Anasta M Aubusson tries) at ANZ Stadium. Referee: Tony Archer, Shayne Hayne. Crowd: 82,334

- AAP

NRL: Dragons v Roosters