ST GEORGE Illawarra have finished top of their pool at the NRL Nines but it's come at a cost, with Matt Dufty suffering a depressed cheek fracture in his side's second clash against Parramatta on Saturday.
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Dufty suffered the injury in a collision with Eels forward Ray Stone just seconds into there clash in Perth, leaving the field and heading straight from the field and to hospital.
It's a blow to the club after a tough 2019 on the injury front though it's impact could prove limited given coach Paul McGregor has stated Zac Lomax will get first crack at the No. 1 jumper for round one.
The Dragons went down 15-7 to the Eels, who needed the win to reach the quarter finals, but still finished top of their pool courtesy of an emphatic 27-5 win over the Sharks on day one.
They'll now face Penrith in the quarter finals at 6pm.
Saturday also saw a return to form from the Dragons women, who ran in five tries in a 29-7 win over the Warriors to stay in the hunt after a disappointing 13-6 loss to the Broncos on the opening day.
That loss cost Daniel Lacey's side Jillaroos back-rower Holli Wheeler who suffered an ACL injury in the early stages of the defeat. The Dragons will face the Roosters on Saturday night looking to book a place in the final.
Mitch Jennings
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
Sports writer. Sport is my passion, rugby league my first love.
