In an intense match against the Warriors, the Dragons faced an alarming situation just 15 minutes in when a head collision between teammates Jack De Belin and Hamish Stewart left both players motionless on the field. This incident unfolded during De Belin’s milestone 250th game as he and Stewart attempted to tackle Warriors captain James Fisher-Harris. Upon impact, the two Dragons collided heads and subsequently required immediate medical attention.
Commentators expressed concern for the injured players, with Greg Alexander’s alarmed commentary reflecting the gravity of the moment. Despite the seriousness of the situation, both players managed to get up and leave the field on foot after initial medical assessments. As they were ruled out due to suspected concussions, the Dragons activated their 18th man, Tyrell Sloan, while Jacob Halangahu and Hame Sele replaced De Belin and Stewart in the game.
The Dragons’ misfortunes continued when Hame Sele was subsequently injured after colliding with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, leaving him motionless on the ground. Again, medical staff rushed to the scene, but, like De Belin and Stewart, Sele was later able to walk off the field with assistance. Dragons coach Shane Flanagan was visibly concerned for his players’ wellbeing as the match carried on.
With the Dragons initially leading 10-0, the momentum shifted after the stoppages, allowing the Warriors to capitalise on the situation. A coordinated play saw Warriors’ Roger Tuivasa-Sheck set up Chanel Harris-Tavita for a try, narrowing the Dragons’ lead to 10-4 at halftime despite their earlier advantages.
The combination of injuries and quick shifts in momentum left the Dragons scrambling to maintain their position in the match, with fatigue potentially becoming a factor for the remaining players as they adjusted to the circumstances.