August 9, 2026 — 5:00pmSt George Illawarra have shaken up the top-four race from the bottom of the ladder by humbling local rivals Cronulla with a 24-16 boilover at Kogarah Oval.The Dragons’ down-and-dirty upset in Sunday afternoon drizzle throws a spanner into the all-important fight for a second-chance in the finals.While the Panthers, Roosters and Warriors look to have the top three ladder rungs sewn up, Cronulla still hold down fourth spot on points differential, but are now equal with the fifth-placed Dolphins on 32 points.The loss of centre Jesse Ramien to a pec injury on Sunday won’t help Cronulla’s cause either. Nor will Addin Fonua-Blake being put on report and sin-binned for a shoulder charge to the chin of Hamish Stewart with the game on the line.But again, as they have for the best part of two months now under Dean Young, the Dragons punched well above the weight of a last-placed side. Again, it was their young forwards leading the way.When Stewart, regarded internally as a future Dragons captain, latched onto a first-half kick and hustled and bustled his way through a couple of Sharks defenders, Immortal Andrew Johns went further again.“This young guy Hamish Stewart, if you were starting a club he’s the first guy I would sign,” Johns oozed in commentary on Channel Nine.For the record, with Perth and cashed-up PNG lurking in all corners of the player market, the 21-year-old is locked into the Red V until the end of 2029.And Stewart looked every bit a marquee player of the future when he set up Tyrell Sloan to start the second half. The Dragons’ two-point half-time lead was stretched further still when Stewart popped an excellent offload down their left edge and Sloan shot off for a 16-10 lead.Right alongside the rising local junior was Ryan Couchman with 67 tackles from 80 minutes in the middle, while Jacob Liddle made 56 of his own.Setu Tu (left) sparks jubilant scenes at Kogarah with his match-winning try on Sunday.Getty ImagesWhile Clint Gutherson defended like a younger man too and Kyle Flanagan fought for every 50-50 contest, Cronulla were largely outmuscled and outenthused.Star No.7 Nicho Hynes endured an unhappy afternoon from the moment he set up the first try. His dummy and double-pump for Sione Katoa to score out wide made for a tough shot at goal as he eyed Hazem El Masri’s NRL record of 35 straight conversions.Hynes never looked like progressing beyond the 32 goals he started the day with. El Masri’s mark endures for another day.The Dragons’ line speed and commitment in the ruck kept a lid on Sharks hooker Blayke Brailey, while tries to Valentine Holmes and Stewart pushed them into a half-time lead.As tension mounted throughout the second-half and Hynes battled for fluency, the Dragons remained the better side – naturally so when Fonua-Blake’s reduced Cronulla to 12 with 11 minutes to play.Setu Tu went agonisingly close to sealing the win diving over in the corner, but the bunker correctly found his leg sliding into touch as he slammed the Steeden down.There was no such doubt when Tu shimmied, shook and beat Mawene Hiroti all ends up with a few minutes remaining.Consider it perhaps, as the loss Cronulla needed after nine wins from their last 10, though the fates of Ramien and Fonua-Blake will truly dictate that.For the Dragons though, this was the win they thoroughly deserved.Knights shrug off loss of two more stars to sink Raiders’ finals hopesAAPNewcastle have overcome the loss of key personnel to virtually end Canberra’s finals hopes by grinding out a see-sawing 30-24 victory at GIO Stadium.The Knights’ injury list ballooned before Sunday’s damp clash with centre Bradman Best and hooker Phoenix Crossland (both calf) ruled out, joining halfback Dylan Brown and second-rower Dylan Lucas on the sidelines.But Newcastle (13-8), buoyed by celebrating Tyson Frizell’s 300th game, produced a fearless performance to solidify their position inside the top eight.The Knights may have more players to add to their casualty ward though, as Frizell hobbled off the field in the second half.With the top four also in their sights, Justin Holbrook’s men are one step closer to completing a remarkable rebound after finishing with the wooden spoon last season.While Newcastle flirt with a finals berth, the Raiders’ ambitions of playing finals footy have been effectively ended as they can no longer secure a winning record.Newcastle winger Dom Young scored two tries on his 25th birthday.Getty ImagesUnless a mathematical miracle occurs, Canberra (9-12) will become the first team since the Sydney Roosters in 2016 to miss out on finals the year after claiming the minor premiership, as they sit six points adrift of eighth-placed North Queensland.The Green Machine’s loss was all but confirmed when Knights centre Dane Gagai was penalised with less than 10 minutes remaining metres from their own line, but the bunker overturned the decision because forward Corey Horsburgh struck Gagai.With Newcastle ahead 26-24, Horsburgh was sent to the sin bin and minutes later Dom Young, on his 25th birthday, crossed for his second in the right corner to seal the victory.Despite Newcastle scoring the first two tries, Raiders winger Jed Stuart intercepted a looping Kalyn Ponga pass and ran 70 metres in the 17th minute before Zac Hosking snuck over to level the contest.The Knights hit back when Young tore down the right flank and gave the ball to a running Ponga.Centre Simi Sasagi crossed twice while battling through a suspected arm injury either side of halftime to take the lead for the home team.But Gagai capitalised on a blistering Young run, before the winger completed the victory in the 78th minute.AAPDan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners