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Hunt sees turnaround in Dragons NRL attack

3 minute read

St George Illawarra captain Ben Hunt has stated his team started to turn a corner against Newcastle, but knows they must find a balance in attack on Anzac Day.

BEN HUNT.
BEN HUNT. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Ben Hunt wants to believe St George Illawarra's NRL attack has turned a corner.

That after a slow and clunky start to the season, their completions-first approach early against Newcastle can give them the platform to thrive.

Languishing in 13th spot, the Dragons' 21-16 win over the Knights on Sunday snapped a four-game losing streak and took some pressure off coach Anthony Griffin.

In the first half, the Dragons' only points came from a penalty goal and try out of dummy-half.

At times they opted to hand the ball over rather than kick, and made just two errors.

Their output only raised more questions about the absences of fullback Tyrell Sloan and five-eighth Talatau Amone, stuck in reserve grade and on the bench respectively.

By the second half, fluidity arrived. They broke the line four times and were able to enjoy a sustained front-foot attack for the first time since late in round two.

"I see it as a potential starting block to turning our performances around," Hunt said.

"We've been a bit clunky and a bit early where we weren't making the defence make a decision.

"Whereas I felt in the back end of the first half and that second half we started really getting into our groove a bit better.

"A high completion rate helped for sure. In previous weeks we turned the ball over a fair bit coming out of our own end. This week, we didn't."

Now though, Hunt knows his team must find balance on Anzac Day.

No team has beaten the Roosters without putting more than 20 on them since before the first COVID-19 lockdown.

"You need to throw a decent amount at them but it has to be well executed," Hunt said.

"They are an exceptional defensive team and if you want to get through their line you have to execute very well and be sharp with your attack."

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