St George Illawarra Dragons have broken a decade-long losing streak against the Brisbane Broncos, securing a dramatic 30-26 win at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, May 18, 2025. The Dragons' victory marks their first win against the Broncos in 10 months, ending a period of significant on-field struggle.
The Dragons displayed remarkable resilience, coming back from a 12-0 deficit after 30 minutes to clinch the win. Key moments included an 80-meter intercept try by Jacob Liddle and a late try to co-captain Clinton Gutherson, who scored twice in the match. Despite being reduced to 12 men when Jaydn Su'A was sin-binned, the Dragons managed to take the lead and hold on.
"There must be some sort of football god out there," Shane Flanagan, the Dragons coach, commented after the match, highlighting the significant relief and importance of the win.
The Broncos, who led for much of the first half, saw tries from Ezra Mam, Kotoni Staggs, Jesse Arthars, and Gehamat Shibasaki. However, late lapses and strong Dragons pressure proved their undoing. The match also saw potential injury concerns for Queensland's Origin camp, with Pat Carrigan reportedly suffering a jaw injury and Selwyn Cobbo leaving the field. For the Dragons, young forward Dylan Egan is suspected to have torn his ACL.
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Broncos Face New Look, Shifting Dynamics
The loss for the Broncos comes amidst several team adjustments. Ben Hunt, a former captain for the Dragons, has been a key figure in discussions about the Broncos' halves combination, with coach Kevin Walters potentially looking to utilize Hunt in the hooker role upon his return. This suggests a possible shift for Ezra Mam, who returned to first-grade after a suspension and impressed in the game against the Dragons. Other positional changes for the Broncos include Selwyn Cobbo moving from centre to the wing, and Deine Mariner moving the other way.
Broader Context: A Club in Transition
The Dragons' victory offers a much-needed boost after a prolonged period of poor results. Coach Flanagan has been under pressure to improve the team's performance, and this win is seen as a crucial step in that direction. The "bad habits" mentioned by Flanagan in relation to the team's play suggest ongoing efforts to reform the club's culture and on-field execution.
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Meanwhile, the Broncos are grappling with their own challenges, including player injuries. Notably, Payne Haas was reported to have injured his knee on April 18, 2026, during a match against the Wests Tigers, expected to sideline him for several weeks. This incident, while occurring in a different match, highlights the ongoing physical toll on the Broncos squad.
