Dragons answer fans’ SOS

St George Illawarra was easily the most disappointing outfit of the first two rounds – and there were a few candidates – which had disgruntled fans on the warpath midweek.

A diabolical salary cap situation had led to the shedding of several key players, a decidedly thin-looking roster and, ultimately, the least points scored by a club in a season’s opening fortnight since 2000 as the Dragons’ toothless forward pack and pop-gun offence failed to fire a shot.

The long-dormant S.O.S. (Save Our Saints) campaign kick-started again, while CEO Peter Doust was under the pump for the umpteenth time during his lengthy reign.

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But the Dragons’ playing group did the club’s hierarchy a massive solid by producing one of the more remarkable comebacks of recent times in Canberra, a traditional graveyard for the joint venture.

Trailing 18-0 after just 20 minutes, the Saints scored four unanswered tries to snatch the lead for the first time in the 75th minute. Former Raiders backrower Joel Thompson’s try levelled the scores and Gareth Widdop’s ice-cool sideline conversion clinched the unlikeliest of victories, 22-20.

It’s still far too early, of course, to be talking about a genuine Dragons resurgence. But it’s a step in the right direction for the pilloried Dragons players, particularly individual performances by the likes of Penrith-bound Trent Merrin (183 metres and 45 tackles), debutant centre Euan Aitken (192 metres and a line break), who was astutely brought in for bumbling recruit Dane Nielsen, and hooker Mitch Rein (40 tackles and 119 metres), whose brilliant solo try busted the game wide open.

Rabbitohs and Tigers building NRL’s newest bitter rivalry

Tim Grant and Keith Galloway face off during their clash. Photo: Getty

Despite the comfortable 20-6 scoreline in favour of the premiers, the burgeoning rivalry between South Sydney and Wests Tigers has the potential to become one of the NRL’s most fervent.

Several factors are pivotal to a genuinely great sporting rivalry.

History: besides last year’s explosive upset by the Tigers and Nathan Merritt’s unforgettable field goal at the SCG in 2009, the Rabbitohs’ eventful foundation rivalries with the joint venture’s partners, Balmain and Western Suburbs, tick that box.

Individual rivalries: Sunday’s clash delivered one-on-one showdowns in spades – Inglis v Tedesco, Woods v Burgess, Reynolds v Brooks et al – and they are superstar match-ups set to continue for many seasons to come.

Fire and brimstone: the teams picked up from where they left off last season, with tensions threatening to bubble over on several occasions. The feisty confrontation between front-row enforcers Keith Galloway and Tim Grant was tremendous theatre and epitomised the feeling that permeated throughout the 80 minutes.

Quality contests: it was scrappy, but riveting nonetheless. The Rabbitohs underlined their credentials as the premiership benchmark once again in a gritty performance. But the youthful Tigers, who remained in the hunt until the final five minutes, were only a couple of passes sticking away from another boilover. They shape as a genuine finals smoky.

The well-balanced, aggressive and exciting Tigers could be resuming their rivalry with the Rabbitohs in September if both sides continue on their current trajectory.

Queensland power shift as Broncos fire

There will be 14 NRL clubs directing a sarcastic “thanks” in the direction of the embattled Cowboys in the wake of Brisbane’s emphatic 44-22 victory in Friday night’s frantic Queensland derby.

Justin Hodges in action for the dynamic Broncos, who hit form against the Cowboys. Photo: Getty

The Cowboys produced the worst defensive display of the opening three rounds, in turn playing the Broncos’ previously spluttering attack into sensational form.

Although far from premiership material, the Broncos were enterprising, composed and decisive with the ball in hand.

Support play was outstanding, misfiring halves Ben Hunt and Anthony Milford were electric and fullback Jordan Kahu – after being given a brutal examination by South Sydney in Round 1 – produced a couple of pieces of sublime skill to lay on Lachlan Maranta’s first-half double, before crossing himself after the break.

As positive as the signs were for the Broncos, however, they were equally anxiety-inducing for Cowboys coach Paul Green. Their goal-line defence was beyond embarrassing – particularly for a side that was ranked fourth in the NRL for points conceded in 2014.

Green may have to make some tough calls sooner rather than later, most notably regarding out-of-sorts Test prop James Tamou, or watch his 0-3 team’s campaign slip away.