Game Summary
St George Illawarra Dragons made it two wins from two to open their 2026 campaign in The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup, running out convincing 42-26 winners over the Melbourne Storm in Round Two at WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
The Dragons hit the ground running and were ruthless in the opening quarter, piling on four tries in the first 16 minutes to leave the Storm reeling. Prop Loko Pasifiki Tonga set the tone in the fifth minute, charging over from close range after some slick ball movement through the middle. Fullback Tyrell Sloan converted to give St George Illawarra an early 6-0 lead.
Hayden Buchanan extended the advantage in the ninth minute, the centre finishing off a flowing set play when the Dragons moved the ball wide and created an overlap. Sloan's conversion attempt was unsuccessful, but the damage was being done - 10-0 after just nine minutes.
Halfback Joseph O'Neill crossed for his first of the match in the 13th minute, benefitting from a quick pass from Sloan who made a half-break to extend the lead. Three tries in eight minutes had the Storm shell-shocked, and it soon became four when Sloan himself touched down after a chip kick from Tyler Peckham Harris took a kind bounce. The Dragons led 20-0 and were in complete control.
Melbourne offered a brief response before half-time when Luke Cesari finished well out wide following a daring burst from dummy-half Gabriel Satrick. Eli Morris converted from the sideline to make it 20-6, but the Dragons weren't done. O'Neill grabbed his second late in the half, taking a pass from Dylan Coutts and stepping back inside to score his double. Sloan slotted the extras, and Peckham Harris added a penalty goal on the stroke of half-time, to send the teams to the break with the Dragons in command 28-6. Sloan was sent to the sin bin in the dying seconds for his part in a flare-up, taking the fullbacks of both sides off the field for the opening nine minutes of the second stanza.
Melbourne made some inroads in the second half through Hugo Peel and a Cesari double, trimming the deficit to 28-16 at one stage. But St George Illawarra steadied, with O'Neill completing his hat-trick and David Fale crashing over to push the lead back out to 38-16. Peckham Harris sealed the win in the corner with just over two minutes remaining and Cesari added a consolation try on the full-time siren for a 42-26 final score.
Talking Points
The Dragons' ruck speed was outstanding throughout, consistently playing the ball at pace to keep the Storm defence scrambling.
Shawn Blore's injury was a significant early blow for Melbourne, forced off in the opening set with a leg injury and taking no further part in the match.
Luke Cesari was the standout performer for the Storm despite the defeat, finishing with a hat-trick. His three tries came after the break and showed plenty of determination down the left edge.
Key Moment
The Dragons' fourth try of the afternoon - Sloan's score off a Peckham Harris grubber in the 18th minute - all but end any hopes of the Storm arresting the momentum. With the score moving to 20-0, Melbourne were unable to take the lead for the remainder of the contest despite their second-half fightback.
What's Next?
The Dragons will look to stay undefeated in Round Three when they face Parramatta Eels at CommBank Stadium. The Storm will need to regroup as they return home to take on the Newtown Jets at Seabrook Reserve.
