In a gripping encounter at Magic Round, the Dragons suffered a critical mistake on their own tryline, paving the way for Jahream Bula to score an impressive 100-metre try, solidifying a hard-won victory for the Tigers. Jaydn Su’A appeared set to score for the Dragons when, ignoring two teammates, he fumbled in the act of scoring, dislodging the ball just as he hit the ground.
Observing the unusual play, commentators Kevin Walters and Greg Alexander expressed their astonishment, highlighting the rarity of such an incident in rugby league. The loose ball was quickly seized by Bula, who sprinted down the sideline before turning back towards the centre of the field to score just before half-time, extending the Tigers’ lead to 24-10. At half-time, Cooper Cronk predicted it would be a challenging task for the Dragons to mount a comeback, a sentiment echoed by Mal Meninga, who described the situation as embarrassing for the Dragons.
Efforts to rally from the Dragons were exemplified by Kyle Flanagan, who threatened to bring his side back into contention, only to be thwarted by Bula. As the game progressed, the Tigers capitalised on further errors from the Dragons. Despite this, Jacob Liddle, demonstrating power and determination, scored twice shortly after the break, initially burrowing under three defenders to reach the tryline.
The Dragons faced additional adversity as Emre Guler was forced off the field due to a dislocated shoulder, an injury sustained during a tackle. The Tigers’ Doueihi later converted a penalty and scored his own try, further extending the Tigers’ lead to 34-22. With just three minutes remaining, Hamish Stewart narrowed the score, sending a glimmer of hope for the Dragons, but the Tigers held firm to secure the win.
Earlier in the match, the Tigers struck first when 19-year-old King-Togia delivered a remarkable pass that allowed Dylan Egan to score. The Dragons responded through Charlie Staines, who found space to level the score. The teams engaged in a back-and-forth battle with both sides trading tries, but the Tigers ultimately took control, with Luai’s pivotal kicks contributing to their two-game winning streak.
The match highlighted both the extraordinary skill present in rugby league and the critical errors that can dramatically shift the tide of a game, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the sport.